Visa
Rules for PR in Canada For International Students (2022)
Canadian immigration programs allow international students in Canada to apply for permanent residency while they are in the country or after they have finished their education. The term “dual intent” refers to the practice of applying for a Canada study visa and a Canadian permanent residency status at the same time.
Rules for PR in Canada for International Students
The following are some options for students interested in immigrating to Canada or the rules for PR in Canada for international students:
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
To be eligible for the Canadian Experience Class, students must have worked in Canada for at least 12 months in a skilled occupation, and they must have done so within the last three years. A Canadian Post-Graduation Job Permit can help students gain the necessary work experience in Canada. Canadian work experience requirements do not include internships and co-ops that are completed while enrolled in school or as part of a study program.
Quebec Experience Class (QEC)
This Canadian immigration program is open to international students who have finished an approved program of study in Quebec and have at least an intermediate level of French proficiency. This Quebec immigrant visa program does not require any previous job experience in Canada.
Programs for Provincial Nominees (PNPs)
Many provinces have provincial nominee schemes in place that allow international students to immigrate to Canada. Graduates of Canadian post-secondary education programs are generally required to apply. Depending on the jurisdiction, other qualifications may be necessary, such as previous work experience or a job offer. Appeals for Canadian residence permit are often completed more quickly under PNPs than under other immigration programs, making them a popular choice among international visitors.
Graduates From Universities Around the World Who Speak French
In addition to the rules for PR in Canada for international students, a new pathway for French-speaking overseas graduates in Canada has been established. With the exception of Quebec, where there is a dearth of French-speaking professionals, there is no admission limit for this new program. See whether you match the following criteria!
Requirements
A minimum of one year’s worth of study in a Canadian-designated educational institution is required.
At the time the application is submitted, the applicant must have a valid work permit or authorization to work in Canada.
Outside of Quebec, you must have a valid temporary status in Canada or be eligible for status restoration. These programs can assist students in the same situation: –
| Program/category | Alignment with Express Entry | Requirement of job offer | Information |
| Canadian Experience Class | Yes | No | Graduates become eligible after working in Canada on a Post-Graduation Work Permit. |
| Federal Skilled Worker Class | Yes | No | Previous study in Canada is worth 5 points. |
| Quebec Experience Class | No | No | Eligible candidates may apply at any time from 6 months before graduation, up to 36 months after graduation; they also must prove ability in French language. |
| Quebec Skilled Worker Program | No | No |
Higher education is a significant factor in the points calculation; previous study in Quebec may help to gain 5 additional points. Note: this category is currently closed to new applications, except for cap-exempt individuals. |
|
British Columbia
BC PNP Skills Immigration: International Graduate |
No
|
Yes
|
Not restricted to graduates of British Columbia institutions, graduates of across Canada can apply; this category is operated under Expression of Interest system called SIRS; Post-secondary education completed in British Columbia is worth 8 points of SIRS; Post-secondary education completed in Canada (outside BC) worth 6 points of SIRS. |
|
British Columbia
BC PNP Express Entry: International Graduate |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Not restricted to graduates of British Columbia institutions, graduates of across Canada can apply; this category is operated under Expression of Interest system called SIRS; Post-secondary education completed in British Columbia is worth 8 points of SIRS; Post-secondary education completed in Canada (outside BC) worth 6 points of SIRS. |
|
British Columbia BC PNP Skills Immigration: International Post-Graduate |
No
|
No
|
For candidates who have obtained a masters or doctoral degree in the natural, applied or health sciences from a BC institution. |
|
British Columbia BC PNP Express Entry: International Post-Graduate |
Yes
|
No
|
For candidates who have obtained a masters or doctoral degree in the natural, applied or health sciences from a BC institution. |
|
Alberta AINP Strategic Recruitment Stream: Post-Graduate Worker |
No
|
Ought to be working for Alberta employer at time of application.
|
Candidates from an eligible post-secondary educational institution in Alberta, and who are working in Alberta on a Post-Graduation Work Permit, may apply. |
|
Alberta AINP Employer-Driven Stream: International Graduate |
No
|
Must be working for Alberta employer at time of application. | Candidates must have completed a certificate, diploma, or degree, or completed a graduate level program from an AINP-approved institution OR a publicly funded community college, trade/technical school or university in another Canadian province or territory. |
|
Manitoba MPNP Skilled Worker in Manitoba |
No
|
Yes
|
Ought to have attended an institution in Manitoba (language programs are excluded), except for graduates from a post-secondary program in another province who have been working for a Manitoba employer for at least one year. |
|
Manitoba
International Education Stream (IES) |
No
|
No
(Non-STEM graduates require a job offer in an-demand occupation.) |
Complete a graduate program in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) at a Manitoba post-secondary institution within the last three years. OR Graduate from a designated post-secondary institution in Manitoba within the last three years. OR |
| Complete a recognized Bridging/Gap-training program offered by a designated post-secondary partner institution in Manitoba and successfully pass the initial stage of certification. | |||
|
Atlantic Provinces (New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island)
Atlantic International Graduate Program (AIGP) |
No
|
Yes, full time, one-year contract at skill level NOC 0, A, B or C
|
Graduates of post-secondary institutions in the Atlantic provinces can apply. No work experience is required.
Applicants require a two-year post-secondary diploma from a publicly funded learning institution in the Atlantic region. |
|
|
|
|
Application must be submitted within 12 months of obtaining the diploma. Must demonstrate level 4 of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) in English or the Niveau de compétence linguistique Canadien in French. Employer must be designated by the province where the job is offered. |
|
New Brunswick
NBPNP Express Entry Labour Market Stream |
Yes
|
No
|
Graduates of New Brunswick educational institutions are prioritized, and previous study in New Brunswick is worth 5 points towards eligibility. |
|
Newfoundland & Labrador
NLPNP International Graduate Category |
No
|
Yes
|
Graduates must have a job or job offer from a Newfoundland & Labrador employer, and must apply while they still have at least 6 months’ validity on their Post-Graduation Work Permit; graduates of eligible publicly funded colleges or universities across Canada may be able to apply. |
|
Newfoundland & Labrador
NLPNP Express Entry Skilled Worker |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Previous study experience in Newfoundland & Labrador is worth 3 points towards eligibility. |
|
Nova Scotia
NSNP Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry |
Yes
|
No
|
Previous study experience in Nova Scotia is worth 5 points towards eligibility; a spouse/common-law partner’s previous study experience in Nova Scotia is worth 5 further points. Note: this category is currently closed to new applications. |
|
Nova Scotia
NSNP Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry |
Yes
|
No
|
Candidates must at least 12 months full-time (or an equal amount in part-time) paid skilled work experience in Nova Scotia in the three years before the application is made, providing an opportunity for graduates who obtain a Post-Graduation Work Permit after studying in Canada. |
|
Nova Scotia
NSNP International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream |
No
|
No
|
Open to recent graduates of Nova Scotia post-secondary institutions who have already started or purchased a business in the province; operates on an Expression of Interest system. |
|
Ontario
OINP International Student with a Job Offer Stream |
No
|
Yes
|
Graduates of a full-time degree or diploma program at an eligible publicly-funded Canadian college or university that is at least 2 years in length, or a 1-year post-graduate certificate program that requires a previous degree in order to qualify, may be able to apply; open to eligible candidates whose job offer has been approved through the Employer pre-screen process. |
|
Ontario
OINP International Masters Graduate Stream |
No
|
No
|
Graduates of a full-time Master’s course at an eligible university in Ontario that is at least 1 year in length may be eligible. This stream is expected to open and close intermittently throughout 2017. |
|
Ontario
OINP International Student PhD Graduate Stream |
No
|
No
|
Applicants must have completed at least two years of PhD studies at a university in Ontario. This stream is expected to open and close intermittently throughout 2017. |
|
Prince Edward Island
PEI PNP Labour Impact Category: International Graduate |
No
|
Yes, in field of study.
|
This employer-driven stream allows PEI employers to hire recent graduates from recognized PEI universities and colleges. |
|
Saskatchewan SINP Experience Category for Students |
No
|
Yes
|
Graduates with a certificate, diploma, or degree from a recognized post-secondary educational institution in Saskatchewan may be able to apply. |
Conclusion
If you need to know the rules for PR in Canada for international students, then the information we have discussed above is the best shot you need to bear in mind while applying for your permanent residency permit as an international student in Canada.
