Beyond Graduation: Essential Advice for InternationalStudents Pursuing Permanent Residency

For many international students, graduating from a Canadian institution marks a significant milestone – and it's also the beginning of a new chapter in their immigration journey. The pathway from student to permanent resident can be complex, filled with critical decisions and tight deadlines. 

The Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP): Your First Crucial Step

One of the most immediate concerns after graduation is securing a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP). This is the most direct pathway to staying in Canada post-graduation and the first step along the PR pathway.

Advice for PGWP applicants:

• Be ready to apply as soon as you graduate. You are only eligible to apply up to 180 days after receiving your final transcript. Prepare your documents and have a plan. 

• The day you graduate, apply. Processing times for work permits from inside Canada are currently at 6 months. If you make a mistake and need to resubmit, you will need to have time remaining in that 180 day window or you will miss your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

• Remember, you have to stop working once you receive your final degree or completion letter. Once you submit the PGWP application, you may resume work if your study permit is still valid and 90 days since receiving your completion letter have not passed.

Strategic Planning for Permanent Residence: Start Early, Think Broadly

It is always a good idea when planning immigration pathways to think long term. If your goal is permanent residency, there are some things you can think about as you graduate or even earlier.

How to maximize your Express Entry CRS score when you do apply for permanent residency:

• While your job title will not give you points, having a job in the right TEER category will determine whether you are eligible for permanent residence through Express Entry and some Provincial Nominee Programs. Make sure your post-graduation job corresponds to TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3.

• Ensure your English skills are at least CLB 9, and your French skills at CLB 7, if applicable. Language proficiency is a significant factor in Express Entry, and higher scores can dramatically increase your competitiveness, because they often combine with other areas in the skills transferability factors. Many French language applicants are not native speakers but study French solely for this purpose.

• Obtain at least two years of Canadian work experience. This is often a critical component for many PR pathways, especially the Canadian Experience Class, because one year usually won’t give applicants enough CRS points to be competitive in the Express Entry system. Again, this area also becomes a skills transferability factor and the more years of Canadian work experience, the more points in multiple areas.

• While Canadian experience is highly valued, don't dismiss foreign work experience entirely. If you don’t have French skills and your English scores are not at CLB 9, getting a year of foreign work experience can earn extra points (also via the skills transferability factors) that could make the difference.

• A spouse's profile significantly impacts Express Entry applications and it’s important to consider a spouse's potential impact on the application. For a strong application, the spouse's background should be similar to the principal applicant's with regard to high English or French scores, education, and, ideally, some Canadian work experience. If you’re single, perhaps you want to consider waiting until after submitting a PR application to marry. 

• If your CRS score is not competitive, you may have to focus on Provincial Nominee Programs to get extra points or as a direct path to PR. Many programs have a pathway for international graduates, so check to see if your degree or employment offer align with them.

• Obtaining a second degree (diploma, certificate, etc.) can also lead to a boost in points on its own and in the skills transferability factors.

The journey from international student to permanent resident in Canada is multifaceted. By understanding the processes and the systems through which you will be evaluated, planning strategically from the outset, actively building your profile, and staying informed about policy changes, you can significantly increase your chances of achieving your long-term immigration goals.

Reach out to us at COMPASS Immigration Solutions for help to understand Canada’s immigration pathways and develop a strategy that helps you move from student to worker to permanent resident.