Are you enjoying your Canadian study experience? Would you like to study and immigrate to Canada after graduation?
Start 2024 off right by planning for your future in Canada!
Did you know?
6 in 10 international students employed during or after their studies became landed immigrants within 10 years of obtaining their first study permit?
The percentage of international students getting Canada PR among economic immigrants surged from 6% to 38% from 2000 to 2019.
As you embark on your educational journey in the Great White North, it's essential to consider your Canadian immigration options post-graduation. The earlier you start planning, the higher your chances of success.
🍁 6 advantages International Students have to study and immigrate to Canada
As an international student studying in Canada, you have the following 6 advantages over others who are interested in immigrating to Canada:
You can gain Canadian study experience which will boost your score in the Express Entry system
By completing your post-secondary education in Canada, you can demonstrate proficiency in at least one Canadian official language (English or French). This is a key factor for PR eligibility and integration.
You may be eligible for Post-Graduation Work Permit program, which will give you the ability to work for any Canadian employer upon graduation. This is the best advantage you have being an international student
It is easier for you to look for a job in Canada because you are physically here and if you have a post-graduation work permit upon graduation
You can gain Canadian work experience which will not only give you additional points for Express Entry but also make you eligible for Canada’s cheapest and fastest immigration program – Canadian Experience Class via Express Entry.
Upon getting a valid job offer, you are also eligible to apply for one of the many Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) for international graduates.
🔑 Key Strategy to get Canada PR
In a nutshell, you need to secure a valid job offer in Canada upon graduation to apply for Canada PR.
To achieve this you need to do the following:
Have a work permit
Get a valid job offer
Work Permit
Let’s talk about work permit. You need a work permit to work in Canada as a foreigner. A Canadian employer needs to have a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) before hiring a foreigner.
LMIA is a long and expensive process. Most Canadian employers are not willing to go through the LMIA process. This is why having a post graduation work permit is such a big advantage.
Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
Ideally, you are completing a Canadian post-secondary program that is eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).
This will make it easier for Canadian employers to hire you without the need for employer to go through the LMIA process.
If you will not be getting a PGWP upon graduation:
You can explore one of the following options to get your LMIA – exempt work permit:
International Experience Canada (IEC) if you are a citizen from one of Canada’s IEC partner countries.
Canada-Mexico-United States Agreement (CMUSA) if you are a citizen of USA or Mexico.
Francophone Mobility Work Permit if you speak fluent French
Switch Program: Enroll in a study program that offers PGWP
Get a valid job offer
Why valid job offer? This is because not all jobs are eligible for Canadian immigration.
It is best to check if the job you are interested in is eligible for Canadian immigration either before your job search process or before you take up the offer.
The last thing you want is to work at the job for 2 years to realize that it is not eligible for Canadian immigration.
Unfortunately, this has happened to many international graduates who thought that they were able to apply for Canadian immigration by getting any job in Canada.
What is a valid job offer?
A valid job offer is a written offer of a full-time, non-seasonal job for at least one year.
The job must be in a skilled occupation listed as TEER category 0, 1, 2 or 3 in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system.
A valid job offer will give you additional points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) for Express Entry.
Each Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) has a list of eligible and ineligible occupations. It is best to check with a Canadian immigration professional or on the respective PNP website if your job offer is valid for Canadian immigration.
🌟 Immigration Program Options to Immigrate to Canada After Graduation
Here is a list of popular Canadian immigration programs options for international graduates studying in Canada.
We will go through each of these programs in more details in our future blog series. Stay tuned.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) for International Graduates
Alberta Opportunity Stream
Alberta Express Entry Stream
Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
International Graduate
International Post-Graduate
Career Employment Pathway
Graduate Internship Pathway
International Student Entrepreneur Pilot
New Brunswick Express Entry
New Brunswick Private Career College Graduate Pilot
International Graduate
International Graduate Entrepreneur
International Graduate Entrepreneur
International Graduate Stream
Master Graduate Stream
PhD Graduate Stream
International Graduate
Quebec Experience Program (QEP) – Quebec Graduates
Workers with Saskatchewan Work Experience (Student)
⏰ Start Early, Plan Smart
It is possible to study and immigrate to Canada but you have start early.
The clock's start’s ticking upon graduation. It is important to start planning before you run out of time, especially when you are on a post graduation work permit.
🌎 Stay Connected, Stay Informed
Stay tuned for our upcoming series in our 10-part Canadian immigration blogs, where we'll explore other Canadian immigration programs.
Here’s what we have covered and what you can expect in our future blogs:
Part 5: Study and Immigrate for International Students in Canada (You are reading this now)
Part 6: Entrepreneurial Immigration in Canada
Part 7: Investor Immigration to Canada
Part 8: Refugee Immigration to Canada
Part 9: Humanitarian & Compassionate Immigration to Canada
Part 10: How to become a Canadian Citizen
Each of these streams has its unique pathways, eligibility criteria, and requirements, offering diverse routes to your Canadian dream.
Over the course of this series, we will delve into each of these programs, providing you with an overview of the programs, and practical advice to make your journey as smooth as possible.
🔔 Don't Miss Out!
To ensure you don't miss a single installment of this series, follow our blog by signing up as a site member or follow us on our social media channels (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X or Pinterest) to get the latest Canadian education and immigration related news.
Please contact us if you are keen to work with us to fulfill your Canadian dream. It is never too early to start planning.
Your Canadian dream is within reach, and we're here to guide you every step of the way. Stay engaged, stay informed, and together, we'll make your Canadian dream come true! 🍁