How to Get PR After Study Visa from Canada – Complete Guide

If you’re a skilled worker or an international student in Canada, you might qualify for a quicker path to Canada permanent residency through several Canada PR Pathways, including the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

The Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), are part of the Express Entry system, which allows foreign skilled workers having graduated from Canadian institutions to become permanent residents in Canada and, eventually, citizens.

In addition to the above-mentioned pathways, the Provincial Nominee Program (or PNP), also provides an alternative pathway for international students to (with a minimum required work experience) to apply for the Canadian PR visa.

Mentioned below are the eligibility criteria for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), in detail:

Eligibility criteria for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC):

Language Skills (English or French skills)

CLB 7 for TEER 0 or TEER 1 occupations
CLB 5 for TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupations

Work Experience:

Atleast 1 year of Canadian work experience in the last 3 years (either a combination of full-time or part-time work), while you are under temporary resident status and have authorization to work.
In an occupation listed in 1 or more of these NOC TEER Categories: TEER 0, TEER 1, TEER 2, TEER 3

Job Offer: Not require

Eligibility criteria for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP):

Language Skills (English or French skills)

A minimum of CLB 7 in all modules in the Primary Language

Education:

Secondary education is required. You can get more selection criteria (FSW) points for your post-secondary education.

Work Experience:

1 year continuous within the last 10 years (a combination of part-time, full-time, or more than 1 job in your primary occupation) is required.
Work experience should be in an occupation listed in 1 of these NOC TEER Categories: TEER 0, TEER 1, TEER 2, TEER 3

Job Offer:

Not required, but you can get points for having a valid job offer:

A valid job offer of full-time employment for a total period of at least 1 year, or
A certificate of qualification in that skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial, or federal authority

International students who have graduated from a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and are either working or have worked on a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) in Canada can enhance their ranking in the Express Entry pool by obtaining additional points. This not only fulfills CEC requirements but also enhances your standing in the Express Entry pool.

Foreign students who are completing a one-year or two-year diploma in Canada from a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI), are advised to obtain their Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for a Bachelor’s or other higher degree before applying for the PR visa. This ensures they can benefit from their earned education and also achieve a higher score in their CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) score.

It’s essential to note that specific job classifications under the National Occupation Category (NOC) are crucial for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) eligibility. The NOC system categorizes jobs based on duties and responsibilities. To qualify for CEC, your job must fall under NOC TEER Categories: TEER 0, TEER 1, TEER 2, or TEER 3.

PNP Options for International Students in 2024

If the student scores lower in the CRS criteria, the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) also provide applicable pathways for them to obtain their PR.

List of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) for international students who have studied in that province:

British Columbia International Graduate
British Columbia International Post-Graduate
Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur
Ontario International Students with a Job Offer
Ontario Masters Graduate
Ontario Ph.D. Graduate
PEI International Graduate
Saskatchewan Students
Alberta Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
Alberta Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

A list of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) is available for international students who have studied in Canada, but not in the province that operates the PNP

Newfoundland and Labrador International Graduate
BC International Graduate
Ontario International Students, etc

Who is not considered eligible to apply for CEC Express Entry?

People who volunteer, work as unpaid interns, or are self-employed cannot apply for this program. The hours you work while being a full-time student, even if they are part of a co-op program, don’t count for eligibility. You can’t work more than 30 hours per week, and you need to gather the required work experience over 52 weeks.

If you live in Quebec, you can’t apply because it has an immigration system. You must get medical and security clearances to show that you are fit to come to Canada. If you have a criminal record, it might cause some issues with immigration, but there are ways to solve these problems.

What is the process to apply for Express Entry CEC?

After confirming your eligibility for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the application process involves the following steps:

Prepare Documents: Assemble necessary documents for your profile, including a passport/travel document, language test results, proof of Canadian education/Educational Credential Assessment Report, provincial nomination (if applicable), written job offer (if obtained)/proof of work experience/certificate of qualification in a trade occupation by a Canadian provincial territory (if obtained), and proof of funds.
Respond to Invitation: If you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), promptly respond to initiate the permanent residence application process.

The CEC offers a swift pathway to permanent residence for individuals with Canadian work experience, remaining a prominent route for immigration to Canada.