PR Pathways for International Student Graduates

International graduates are a cornerstone of Canada’s immigration strategy. With Canadian education and often local work experience, they’re ideally positioned to integrate into the country’s economy and society. However, the path to Permanent Residency (PR) can be a maze of federal and provincial programs. This guide breaks down the PR options for international graduates, helping you navigate the opportunities available across Canada.

Federal Programs

For many international graduates, Express Entry is the go-to federal pathway. A strong CRS score and meeting minimum eligibility criteria are essential. All programs under Express Entry are points-based, and a high CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) score is crucial to getting an invitation to apply.

1. Canadian Experience Class (CEC): If you have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada, you may qualify under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). This program is particularly suited for those who have already been living and working in Canada and are looking to transition to permanent residency.

2. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is another option for international graduates who may not have enough Canadian work experience but possess skilled foreign work experience. This pathway could be a great fit if you meet the eligibility criteria, including a minimum CLB 7 of language proficiency and work experience.

3. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is an excellent option for those with expertise in a skilled trade. If you have a job offer in Canada or a certificate of qualification from a Canadian provincial or territorial authority, this program might be your best route. Skilled trades like electricians and plumbers are often in high demand across Canada, making this program a solid option for those with specific trade skills.

Each program offers unique opportunities depending on your background, work experience, and qualifications.

Federal Program Eligibility Criteria

The general requirements for Express Entry include factors like age, language proficiency, education, and work experience. Each program under Express Entry has specific criteria, but here’s a general breakdown:

• Age: Younger applicants score higher in CRS, with maximum points given to those aged 20-29.

• Language Proficiency: The minimum required scores in English or French are CLB 7 for FSW; CEC requires CLB 7 for TEER 0-1 and CLB 5 for TEER 2-3 accordingly; FST requires CLB 5. Higher CLB leads to higher CRS points.

• Education: A minimum of a secondary school diploma is required, but the higher your education level, the more points you get.

• Work Experience: Skilled work experience in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 is needed for CEC and FSW. More experience equals more points up to 5 years. FST calls for 2 years of full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time work experience) in a skilled trade within 5 years of applying.

Important to note: Work experience acquired while being a full-time student in Canada doesn’t count towards the minimum requirements for the Canadian Experience Class or Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) for Graduates

Each province has its own PNP streams offering unique pathways to PR. Here’s a look at the key programs:

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

• International Student Stream: Requires a job offer from an employer in Ontario. Suitable for graduates with a degree from an eligible Canadian institution.

• PhD Graduate Stream: For graduates with a PhD from an Ontario university. No job offer is required.

• Masters Graduate Stream: Designed for graduates of eligible Ontario universities. No job offer is required.

BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)

• International Post-Graduate Category: No job offer is required if you have a Master’s or PhD in the natural, applied, or health sciences from an eligible university in British Columbia.

• International Graduate Category: For those with a job offer in British Columbia and a degree or diploma from a Canadian post-secondary institution.

Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)

• Express Entry Stream: If you’re in the federal Express Entry pool and have strong ties to Alberta, you could get a nomination that boosts your CRS score.

• Alberta Opportunity Stream: Requires a job offer in Alberta, as well as a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), acquired by attending an approved Alberta institution.

Quebec

1. **Quebec Experience Program (PEQ):** This program is tailored for graduates from Quebec institutions. Candidates must have CLB 7 for speaking in French.

2. Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP): This program assesses you against criteria similar to the CRS calculator. If you meet the cutoff, you are eligible to apply. While studying and working in Quebec are not considered set requirements, it will give you points.

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

• International Graduate Stream: Open to graduates from recognized post-secondary institutions in Atlantic Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador). A job offer from a designated employer in Atlantic Canada is required to participate in the program.

Manitoba International Education Stream

Three pathways are available for graduates:

• The **Career Employment Pathway -** provides nomination pathways for post-secondary students who graduate and find long-term employment in Manitoba in an in-demand occupation consistent with their training.

• The **Graduate Internship Pathway -** Graduates who complete an Accelerate or Elevate internship with Mitacs in Manitoba can apply to the MPNP immediately after graduation, whether or not they have a job offer.

• The **International Student Entrepreneur Pilot (ISEP) -** provides up to 20 (per calendar year) international students who have graduated in Manitoba the opportunity to pursue entrepreneurship rather than employment.

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)

• Saskatchewan Experience Category: For graduates from a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada who have worked in Saskatchewan for at least six months.

• International Graduate Entrepreneur Category: Designed for graduates from Saskatchewan post-secondary institutions who want to start a business.

Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)

• International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream: For recent graduates of a Nova Scotia university or the Nova Scotia Community College who have started or purchased a business in Nova Scotia and operated it for at least a year.

• Experience: Express Entry: For those with at least one year of skilled work experience in Nova Scotia.

• International Graduates in Demand: For recent international graduates in Nova Scotia whose skills and education match specific National Occupational Classification (NOC) job categories (NOC 32102: Paramedical occupations, NOC 32124: Pharmacy technicians, NOC 33102: nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates, NOC 42202: early childhood educators and assistant). You must have a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in the above job category that corresponds with your recent field of study.

New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)

• **Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program:** For international graduates with the skills, education, and work experience to contribute to New Brunswick’s economy, and who are ready to live and work in New Brunswick permanently.

• Those who graduated from a Public College should explore the Atlantic Immigration Program’s **International Graduate Stream** (covered in Atlantic Immigration Program section)

PEI Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)

• Graduate Stream: For graduates of publicly-funded post-secondary institution in PEI and have a full-time, non-seasonal (i.e. permanent or minimum of two years) job offer from a PEI employer.

Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)

• International Graduate Category: Open to those with a job offer from a local employer in a NOC TEER level 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupations, or a TEER 4 (in-demand) occupation, and a degree from a recognized institution in Canada. Applicants must hold a valid post-graduation work permit (PGWP).

How to choose the right Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) stream?

To choose the right Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) stream as an international student in Canada, consider the following steps:

Assess your qualifications:

• Level of education (e.g., bachelor's, master's, PhD)

• Field of study

• Location of your studies

• Current employment status and job offer (if applicable)

• Language proficiency in English or French

Evaluate provincial labor market needs:

• Research which occupations and skills are in demand in different provinces.

• Align your qualifications and career goals with provincial economic needs.

Consider long-term settlement plans if you have options:

• Think about where you'd like to live and work in Canada long-term.

• Look into the job market, cost of living, lifestyle and climate in different provinces.

Use available official resources and stay informed about program changes:

• Check official provincial websites for the most up-to-date information on their PNP streams.

• PNP streams and requirements can change, so regularly check for updates on provincial immigration websites.