International students studying in Canada can transition from a Canadian study permit to Canadian PR. 

There are many options for international students in Canada who wish to become a permanent resident, provided that they meet the requirements & eligibility of the program they are applying for. 

International students are not guaranteed to obtain permanent residence after completing their studies in Canada. However, they can improve their chances by preparing in advance & learning about what they need to be eligible for the various immigration pathways. 

Canada offers many permanent residence pathways to international students because research has shown that students with Canadian education tend to be more successful in the Canadian job market. These students are seen as a promising pool of skilled individuals that can be used to address labor market needs in Canada. Moreover, Canadian employers value the local education & work experience that international students get in Canada.

After completing studies in Canada, many international students go on to apply for Post Graduation Work Permit. The PGWP provides international/ foreign students with an open work permit, which enables them to work almost anywhere & for nearly every employer in Canada. 

Students might be eligible for PGWP if they: 

  • Completed studies in an academic, professional, or vocational study program, which is at least eight months long at an eligible DLI list. The study program must lead to a degree, certificate, or diploma. 
  • Held full-time status in Canada during every academic session of the study programs completed & included as a part of post-graduation work permit application. 
  • Obtained a transcript as well as an official letter from an eligible DLI confirming that a candidate has met the requirements to complete the study program. 

The benefit of the PGWP is that it enables international/ foreign students to obtain Canadian work experience that ultimately helps them transition from a Canadian study permit to a Canadian PR. 

Express Entry 

In order to transition from a Canadian study permit to Canadian PR, Express Entry is another alternative. Express Entry manages three federal skilled worker immigration programs, i.e., FSTP, FSWP, & CEC. 

The CEC is the permanent residence pathway for applicants who have worked in Canada. It is a popular alternative for international students who have gone on to obtain Canadian work experience. 

In order to be eligible for the CEC, an applicant must meet the following criteria: 

  • Have acquired a minimum of one year of skilled, professional, or technical work experience in Canada within 36 months of the application date. 
  • Meet a CLB of 5 for NOC TEER category 2 or 3 jobs for CLB 7, for NOC TEER category 0/ 1 jobs 
  • Decide to live & work outside of the province of Quebec 

In case you are eligible for one of the programs, you can upload a profile onto the IRCC website. Applicants obtain CRS scores based on attributes like age, education, language ability, work experience, etc. Those with the highest scores are invited to apply for PR.

Applicants who have completed a study program in Canada or have Canadian work experience obtain more CRS points, thus increasing their chances of obtaining PR. 

Provincial Nominee Programs 

Almost every territory as well as province in Canada operates the PNP. The Provincial Nominee Program enables the provinces & territories to nominate individuals/ applicants who wish to move to Canada & are interested in settling in a specific territory/ province. Many PNP streams reward applicants who have studied & worked in Canada. 

Quebec Experience Program 

An applicant who has studied in Quebec & would like to settle in the province permanently might be eligible for immigration under PEQ. The PEQ provides a fastrack way for foreign/ international graduates & individuals with work experience in Quebec to obtain a Quebec Selection Certificate. It is an integral step towards permanent residency, which is given by the federal government. 

Foreign students who have studied in Quebec might be eligible to apply for CSQ under the PEQ if they: 

  • Show an intention to settle in the province to hold a job.
  • Have stayed temporarily in the province for study purposes.
  • Have obtained an eligible degree/ diploma from an educational institution recognized by the Quebec Ministry of Education within the last 36 months.
  • Have studied in Quebec for a minimum of 1,800 hours.
  • Hold a Master’s, Bachelor’s, or DEC diploma & have around 12 months of experience in a 0, A, or B-level job & to hold such a job at the time of application. 
  • Hold a DEP & have 18 months of relevant work experience in a 0, A, B, or C level job & required to hold such a job at the time of application. Note that C-level work should be related to the degree. 

Applicants must also demonstrate that they possess a level of proficiency in the French language in order to qualify for the PEQ.

Other Permanent Resident Pathway Alternatives 

In order to transition from a Canadian study permit to Canadian PR, there are other pathways as well. The Atlantic Immigration Program is an alternative for students who have studied in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, or Newfoundland & Labrador. 

Similarly, the Rural & Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) offers permanent residence to international/ foreign students who reside in participating rural & northern communities across Canada. 

Another option is for Hong Kong Residents, as Canada offers two PR pathways for Hong Kong Residents who have studied in Canada.