How to Obtain Canada PR as an International Student?

You have completed your education and want to make Canada your permanent home? Canada has many immigration pathways for international graduates to transition from temporary residents to permanent residents. Thousands of students apply for Canada student visa from India and after completing their studies desire to remain in Canada for many reasons – better living standards, work opportunities, excellent healthcare, and more.

If you are one of them, Express Entry’s Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is an excellent choice to become a PR in Canada. However, there are various other ways to convert a study visa to PR – each with its own requirements, as listed in this article.

Let’s dive in!

Work Experience After Studies in Canada: PGWP

Before you apply for any immigration program, the first step after you graduate is to get a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). 

If you have completed your studies in a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) on a valid study visa, you will be eligible to apply for PGWP. This permit will allow you to remain in Canada after your graduation is complete and work for a Canadian employer. 

The work experience accumulated during this time (at least one year) will make you eligible for programs like Canadian Experience Class, under which you will be awarded points for the experience gained.

However, it is important to note that not all DLIs are eligible for a PGWP. So, make sure to check that first or talk to an immigration expert for detailed knowledge. 

How to Convert Study Visa to PR?

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC) 

This is the best way for international graduates to get Canada PR after study. CEC is a point-based system that considers factors like education, work experience, adaptability, and language proficiency to check eligibility for Canada PR for foreign students. 

To be eligible for this program, you must have at least 12 months of work experience (continuous and full-time) in a skilled occupation in Canada within the last three years. Else, you can have the same amount of experience in a part-time job. Once you gain this, you can apply for the CEC program. 

However, there is one condition – the work experience gained as a full-time student will not be accounted for under the CEC program. 

• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Many Canadian provinces prefer international graduates and invite them through their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Each province or territory has its separate requirements set to meet certain goals. Therefore, they prefer to invite candidates with some prior connection to the province. 

You could have completed your education in that province or have worked for an employer there – anything. This will boost your chances of getting an invitation to apply for a provincial nomination and become a permanent resident in that province. 

Some popular PNPs for international students include Manitoba Career Employment Pathway, Ontario Masters & PhD Graduates, and Atlantic Immigration Program. 

• Quebec Immigration 

Unlike all the other provinces in Canada, Quebec has its unique immigration system with separate eligibility criteria and processes. However, its immigration programs are set in such a way that foreign students can apply for PR and settle here. 

Quebec has two major ways for international students to apply for PR: 

Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)

If you have completed your education in Quebec or are about to in the next six months, PEQ is your ideal way to apply for Canada PR after study. To qualify for PEQ, you must prove your language proficiency in spoken French. 

Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW)

If you have finished or are about to finish an educational credential in Quebec, QSW is your way to go. Though it sounds similar to PEQ, this program does not have a mandatory French skills requirement but you need to obtain a minimum required score on the program’s point assessment grid. 

So, there you have it! The best ways to convert your Canada study visa to Canada PR. Gaining PR after your graduation as an international student is not as easy as it seems. You have to complete your education from a Designated Learning Institution eligible for PGWP and gain 12 months of experience at minimum to apply for an immigration program.

But don’t worry! Talk to the best Canada immigration consultants in Bangalore – Nationwide Visas – who have more than 16 years of successfully fulfilling the dreams of thousands of students. They can help you explore your options to gain permanent residency after study and make Canada your home permanently. 

Start your process today!