How can students apply for Canadian Permanent Residency?

Are you an international student studying in Canada? Do you aspire to apply for Canadian Permanent Residency once your course is over?

Canada’s network of migration programs has many opportunities for international students to apply for Permanent Residency. Read on to know how:

1. Express Entry Program for international students: International students stand a good chance to apply for Permanent Residency under the Federal Express Entry Program. In November 2016, Canada started awarding points for Canadian Education on the Comprehensive Ranking Score which gave an extra boost to the applications of international students.
2. Atlantic Immigration Pilot: The Atlantic Immigration Pilot is run by the 4 Atlantic Provinces-Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador. The Atlantic Immigration pilot which has a specific stream for overseas students which allows graduates with an offer of employment to migrate to any of the 4 Atlantic provinces.

The requirements of this program for international students are:

• Have an offer of employment in NOC O, A, B, or C for at least a duration of 1 year
• Prove language proficiency in either English or French with a score of at least CLB 4
• Should have completed a 2-year study program from a recognized public institute in the Atlantic province
• For a duration of 2 years, should have been a full-time Student in Canada
• Should have graduated in the recent 1 year prior to applying for the program
• Should have lived in any one of the Atlantic provinces in the recent 2 years before graduation for at least 16 months
• Should submit a Settlement Plan and should receive an endorsement as part of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot

3. Ontario PNP: The province of Ontario has two streams through which international students can apply for Permanent Residency:

• Employer Job Offer-International Student Stream: International students who have a full-time and permanent offer of employment from an employer in Ontario may apply under this stream. The job offer should be under the NOC O, A, or B category, as per CIC.
• International Student Immigration Category:

Ph.D. Graduate Stream: Applicants should have completed a doctoral degree from any public University of Ontario for a duration of at least 2 years. The application for this stream should have been submitted within 2 years of completing the Ph.D. program.

Masters Stream: Applicants should have completed a Masters program of at least 1-year duration from any public University on Ontario. Applicants also need to demonstrate language proficiency with a score of at least CLB 7. The application for this stream should have been submitted within 2 years of the completion of the Master's program.

4. Graduate Quebec Studies Stream: The following conditions need to be fulfilled by candidates applying for this program:

• Should have completed a diploma, bachelors or masters program from Quebec and should have stayed in Quebec for at least half of the duration of the study program
• Demonstrate French language proficiency equivalent to at least a B2 level

5. British Columbia: British Columbia PNP has two streams under which international students can apply:

• BC PNP Immigration Stream for International Graduates: Eligible candidates must have completed a study program of a duration of at least 12 months from a post-secondary institute of Canada. The candidate should also have acquired a permanent full-time offer of employment from an employer in British Columbia. The job offer should only be in the NOC O, A, or B category.
• BC PNP Immigration Stream for International Post-Graduates: Eligible candidates should have completed a Masters or a doctoral program from a recognized post-secondary institution in British Columbia. The candidate should have completed the study program in the recent two years prior to submitting the application for this program. A job offer is not required to apply under this stream.

6. Alberta: The province of Alberta does not have a specific program for international students. It does, however, have a provision for Post-Graduation Work Permit holders.

• Alberta Opportunity Stream: Applicants holding PGWPs must have a minimum work experience in Alberta for at least 6 months in the recent 18 months. The work experience should have been gained in an occupation which is related to the applicant’s field of study.

7. Saskatchewan Experience Category: International Student Stream Sub-Category: International students who have graduated from a post-secondary institute in Saskatchewan or Canada may apply under this program. Eligible candidates need to have full-time, paid work experience of at least 6 months in the province of Saskatchewan. Candidates also need to have a full-time job offer from an employer in Saskatchewan in NOC O, A, or B category to claim eligibility for this program.
8. Manitoba International Education Program: International graduates completing their degrees from institutes and Universities in Manitoba are eligible for this program. STEM graduates can apply under the “Career Employment Pathway” under this program. Earlier students had to work for 6 months in their respective fields before applying for provincial nomination; however, MPNP has removed that condition now.
9. Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia is part of the Atlantic Immigration Program. However, it does have a pathway called the International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream which allows students willing to run a business enterprise in Nova Scotia to apply for a provincial nomination.
10. Newfoundland and Labrador International Graduate Category: Candidates who have completed an eligible study program in Canada and have a full-time job offer from an employer in N&L can apply under this program.
11. New Brunswick: There is no specific program for international graduates in the province. However, New Brunswick is part of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot.
12. Prince Edward Island: The PEI PNP does not have any specific programs for international graduates. However, it is part of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot.

Y-Axis offers a wide range of Visa and Immigration products as well as services for aspiring overseas students including Student Visa for Canada, Work Visa for Canada, Canada Migrant Ready Professional Services for Express Entry Full Service, Canada Migrant Ready Professional Services for Express Entry P R Application,  Canada Migrant Ready Professional Services for Provinces, and Education Credential Assessment. We work with Regulated Immigration Consultants in Canada.

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit, Invest or Migrate to Canada, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company.

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