Canada is one of the most popular places for international students to study, with over 800,000 students living there. The nation offers overseas graduates clear avenues to move from student status to permanent residency (PR), in addition to high-quality education. Due to Canada’s on going need for qualified workers, many foreign graduates are increasingly looking at ways to obtain permanent residency through a variety of immigration schemes, such as the Provincial Nominee schemes (PNPs), the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWP), and the Express Entry system. We’ll walk you through the process of an international student transitioning from study permits to permanent residency in Canada in this blog article.
Step 1: Get a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) by applying.
It usually starts with the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which is the first step towards becoming a permanent resident of Canada. Applying for this work permit permits graduates of qualified Canadian Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) to remain and work in Canada for a maximum of three years, contingent on the duration of their academic program.
The reason the PGWP is a necessary step is
It offers experience working in Canada: Getting Canadian work experience is essential when applying for permanent residence, particularly through programs like the Express Entry program’s Canadian Experience Class (CEC).CEC, or the Canadian Experience Class, is a component of the Express Entry system.
No limitations on employers: In order to obtain the required work experience and improve their eligibility for permanent residence, the PGWP permits graduates to work for any Canadian firm.
Alternative immigration programs: The PGWP work experience can be used to apply for other PR programs or Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
It is imperative that you apply for a PGWP as soon as possible after graduating. In order to be eligible, students must apply during the 180 days after getting their final transcripts.
STEP 2: Getting into the Express Entry Pool
The next stage is to apply for Express Entry after accumulating sufficient job experience in Canada. The federal immigration selection process, known as Express Entry, handles petitions for permanent residence in three primary categories:
FSW or the Federal Skilled Worker Program
FST or the Federal Skilled Trades Program
Experience Class in Canada (CEC)
International graduates can construct an Express Entry profile through their IRCC protected account if they have completed Canadian work experience and meet the requirements of these programs. Candidates are placed in the pool according to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which assigns points. Education is one of the many elements that the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) considers when assigning points.
Language ability (French or English)
Age and Canadian work experience
Additional elements, such as a legitimate employment offer or provincial nominations.
But merely setting up a profile does not ensure that you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).a Request for Applications (ITA). a Request for Applications (ITA). At regular drawings, ITAs are given to the top-ranked applicants in the Express Entry pool. Strategies to raise your CRS score should be your main emphasis because these draws might be competitive, particularly for candidates with lower CRS scores.
Ways to Raise Your CRS Score
Candidates frequently ask how they may raise their CRS score to maximize their chances of getting an ITA once they are in the Express Entry pool. Your score can be raised in a number of ways, including:
Obtain more proficient work experience in Canada: Your CRS score will increase as you gain more job experience in Canada. Strive for employment experience that aligns with the Express Entry skilled worker programs’ qualifications.
Retake the language exam: The ability to communicate in either French or English is a key component of the CRS score. Think about retaking your language exam to improve your score and earn more points. You have a better chance of becoming an ITA if you score higher.
Full-time university education: Gaining more education, like a master’s degree or diploma, might improve your profile in the Express Entry pool and raise your CRS score.
Get an offer of employment that is legitimate. The following can be included to a legitimate employment offer from a Canadian employer: A legitimate offer of employment from a Canadian company can raise your CRS score and increase your pooling ability.
Obtain a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) application: To address local labor market need, PNPs in numerous Canadian provinces recruit applicants from the Express Entry pool. A provincial nomination practically ensures an ITA by adding 600 points to your CRS score.
Evidence of Funds and Profile Modifications
Candidates must prove they have enough money to sustain themselves and their dependents in Canada when submitting an Express Entry application for permanent status. The size of the applicant’s family affects the particular requirements for proof of funds specified by the IRCC. These monies ought to be easily accessible and free of restrictions.
The settlement fund criteria will be updated by the IRCC to reflect 50% of the low-income cut-off (LICO) as of July 28, 2025. Candidates who wish to continue being eligible for Express Entry must make sure they fulfil these new standards.
Keeping your Express Entry profile updated with any changes to your marital status, employment position, or educational background is also very important. A five-year suspension from reapplying could occur from giving incorrect information, and failing to update your profile could result in disqualification or inadmissibility.
How Will Your Work Permit Change?
The expiration of a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is a problem for international graduates. To regain your status, you must take legal action if your PGWP expires before you receive an ITA or your application for permanent residency is approved. People with expired PGWPs are advised by the IRCC to refrain from working without permission since this may compromise their eligibility for permanent residence.
You might have to leave Canada if your work permit status is not restored. You may still be eligible for foreign permanent residence, nevertheless, if you fulfil the requirements.
PNPs or Provincial Nominee Programs to Support Permanent Residence
Through their respective Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), numerous Canadian provinces enable foreign graduates to apply for permanent residence in accordance with local labour market demands. International students may find it easier to move to permanent residency through these programs’ potential special tracks for graduates from Canadian universities.
PNPs offer a fantastic possibility to increase your chances of obtaining permanent residence if you currently reside and work in a specific province. An endorsement from the province substantially raises your chances of getting an ITA by adding 600 points to your CRS score.
For their PNPs, several provinces, like British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Ontario, actively seek out Express Entry applicants, focusing on recent graduates who can meet labour needs in their communities. Therefore, it’s important to find out whether PNPs are available in the province where you already reside or intend to do so.
A Methodical but Gradual Approach
The immigration system in Canada provides foreign graduates with a well-defined and organized route to obtaining permanent status. International graduates have the opportunity to ensure their future in Canada through a mix of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), and Express Entry. Proactive preparation, obtaining Canadian job experience, raising your CRS score, and maintaining an updated profile are necessary to obtain permanent status.
Although it may take some time, it is completely possible to go from being a student to a permanent resident if you are patient and persistent.
In conclusion
Canada is a desirable place for overseas students to study because of its excellent educational system and easy routes to permanent residence. For qualified graduates, there are numerous options, whether they apply through the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program, the Express Entry pool, or Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
You may make a seamless transition from international student to permanent residence by starting early and taking the appropriate actions, such as keeping your application current, obtaining Canadian job experience, and raising your CRS score. In order to enable international graduates to prosper and establish their lives in our hospitable nation, Canada provides a gradual but attainable road to permanent residency.
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