You may have heard about Express Entry, Canada’s main immigration system. On July 6, 2022, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited a total of 1,500 candidates to apply for Permanent Residence. The latest round’s cut-off score for the Express Entry draw was 557 points.
Canada has emerged as the top preferred location for studying abroad among international students, edging out the US, the UK, and Australia. A study by the Canadian Bureau for International Education revealed that 60% of international students intend to apply for permanent residence after completing their studies in the country.
If you are an international student or graduate in Canada, you will be happy to know that you can migrate to Canada permanently through the Express Entry immigration programs. As an international student, if you have the ability to speak and understand English or French to a high standard and have already proven that you are capable of fitting into Canadian life, then you can apply for one of the Express Entry immigration programs.
As a recent graduate, you may qualify for the Canadian Experience Class Program. You must meet all of the following requirements. You plan to live outside the province of Quebec. You have at least 12 months of full-time (or an equal amount in part-time) in an occupation at the NOC 0, A, or B level in Canada in the three years before you apply, You have gained your experience while working legally in Canada after you graduated, You meet the required language levels needed for your job for each language ability (speaking, reading, writing, and listening).
Express Entry Eligibility for International Graduates
As a recent graduate, you may qualify for the Canadian Experience Class Program under the Express Entry system. You must meet all of the following requirements.
- You have at least 12 months of full-time (or an equal amount in part-time) in an occupation at the NOC 0, A, or B level in Canada in the three years before you apply
- You have gained your experience while working legally in Canada after you graduated
- You meet the required language levels needed for your job for each language ability (speaking, reading, writing, and listening).
- You plan to live outside the province of Quebec.
Different Immigration Programs for International Students
There are many immigration programs available to international students. Each program has different eligibility criteria and requirements. However, these programs offer accelerated pathways to becoming Canadian permanent residents for students:
- Canadian Experience Class
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Provincial Nominee Programs
- Quebec Immigration Options
- Post-Graduation Work Permits
How to Gain Work Experience in Canada for Students
If you’ve completed your post-graduation from a Canadian university or designated institute, you can apply for Post-graduation Work Permits (PGWPs). These are open work permits given to international students who graduate from a Canadian program of study. The validity of PGWPs varies from eight months to three years. PGWPs enable eligible graduates to gain valuable Canadian work experience.
Once you’ve gained enough work experience in Canada, you become eligible for Canada’s permanent residency programs.
Immigration Process
The first step is to complete your study in Canada and apply for your PGWP as soon as possible. You have 180 days to apply for your PGWP. With Canadian work experience and language tests, you’re ready to apply for a PR. Once you’ve selected the immigration pathway that suits you best, you need to submit your profile in the Express Entry pool so IRCC can rank you using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Your application will be processed and you will be invited to apply for permanent residence in Canada.
Conclusion
As an international student in Canada, you’ll have to keep yourself updated to ensure you don’t miss out on any chance to apply for a PR in Canada. Dastur Immigration will help you take the guesswork out of your Canadian immigration plans. Our immigration consultants will assist you throughout the application process with ease.
Contact us to start your immigration journey.
