Canada PR visa for international students: How to obtain it through PNP

Ever wondered how you can complete your studies in Canada and stay in this country to become a Canada PR visa holder?! Well, here we are to give you some guidance on how to become a permanent resident in Canada after you study in Canada. Once you complete graduation from a study program in Canada, the next best step for you would be to work temporarily or even become a permanent resident in Canada.

Work in Canada on a temporary visa post your graduation

In order to be employed in Canada after you complete your graduation, you will require a Canada work permit. It will be the work experience you acquire that could help you to qualify for a Canada PR visa.

Ways to work in Canada after graduation

PGWP - Post-graduation work permit If you are a graduate of certain DLIs (Designated Learning Institution) you can be eligible for this work permit. The validity of a work permit under PGWP can be anywhere between 18 months to 3 years. This duration is decided by the duration of the course of study that you have completed. Other work permit types In case you don’t have the eligibility for a PGWP, it could still be possible for you to work in Canada after your graduation from a Canadian institution. These could be either one of the following:

• An open work permit, which allows you to work for any eligible employee in Canada
• An employer-specific permit, which allows you to work as per the conditions of your work permit, is bound to a certain employer, location, and period.

The Canada PNP pathways that help international students stay on in Canada

There are few PNPs that are made available to international graduates in Canada who are willing to settle down in a particular province. These PNPs are known as ‘enhanced’ PNPs. They function using the Canada Express Entry system. Once you receive a nomination via an enhanced PNP, you receive 600 points toward your CRS score under Express Entry. If you are a PGWP holder, you could get the benefit of expedited processing time from the part of the Canada Express Entry system. This could let you receive the status of a Canadian permanent resident within 6-months of applying. However, if you are a PGWP holder whose work experience in an occupational skill type fit for Express Entry is not complete yet, you could still have Canada PNP options to go for. Many Canadian provinces offer ‘base’ PNPs. These often permit candidates with C and D skill types to apply.

Some of the PNPs best suited for international students

Manitoba Career Employment Pathway This Canada PR pathway is available to you if you have completed post-secondary education in Manitoba. Your educational program must have been of a minimum duration of 1 year. It must be done within the last 3 years. You must also be offered a full-time from an eligible employer in Manitoba in one of the in-demand occupations in the province. BC International Post-Graduate Category If you complete a master’s/doctoral degree at an eligible institution in British Columbia, the BC International PG stream is available to you. You can apply for a provincial nomination directly. This stream gives you the advantage of not requiring a job offer to be eligible to apply. Ontario Masters & Ph.D. Graduates If you complete a master’s/doctoral degree at an eligible institution in Ontario, you can lodge an application for a provincial nomination via this immigration stream. First, you may submit an EOI profile to Ontario’s candidate pool to obtain the chance to be invited to apply for a provincial nomination. Atlantic Immigration Program AIP isn’t technically a PNP. However, it’s another option for international students who want to get Canada permanent resident status. The AIP hosts a stream meant exclusively for international graduates. They are those students who have graduated from an educational institution situated in one of the 4 Atlantic provinces. Know your eligibility to immigrate to Canada, through Y-Axis Canada Immigration Points Calculator. If you are willing to work/study/migrate in Canada, talk to Y-Axis, the leading immigration and career consultant in Australia/Canada/UAE. If you found this blog engaging, you may also like: Cost of applying for Canada PR visa in 2022