Having a Canadian degree can benefit you in getting a work permit and even a PR. There are a couple of federal and provincial programs that you can qualify for if you are applying for a Canada PR like the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, Provincial Nominee Program.
It is important to note that in some of these categories You require a qualifying job experience in Canada. You must apply for a work visa under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program if you want to work in Canada after you finish your education.
The first step in becoming a permanent resident of Canada after you complete a Canadian degree is to submit an Express Entry profile. However, it does not a guarantee that you will obtain an Invitation to Apply for Canada PR after completing an Express Entry profile. Qualifying candidates are judged on the basis of the Comprehensive Ranking System which determines your chances of obtaining an invitation to apply for permanent residence based on your score and rank in the Express Entry pool.
Following are the PR pathways for studying candidates in Canada:
1. Canadian Experience Clas
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is run through the Express Entry immigration system and is one of the quickest methods to get permanent residence in Canada. While there are a number of factors that determine eligibility for this program, including age, language proficiency, and level of education, applicants must also demonstrate that they have completed at least 12-months of continuous, full-time, skilled work experience in Canada in the last 3 years, or an equivalent amount of part-time experience. CEC could be the easiest immigration option to getting a PR if the overseas student has gained this level of job experience.
2. Federal Skilled Workers Program
The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) is also run through the Express Entry system and can prove to be another option for international student graduates. FSWP does not require a Canadian work experience, unlike the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), hence it is a viable alternative for international student graduates who have not earned a competent work experience in Canada. The FSWP is a merit-based immigration program that uses a points-based system called CRS score to rank candidates against one another. Only the most competitive profiles are being invited to apply for permanent residency. FSW can be a wonderful avenue to become a permanent residence if an overseas student passes the eligibility standards and is very competitive in the CRS score system.
3. Provincial Nominee Program
Provincial Nominee Programs are run by each of Canada's provinces and territories. Because each PNP is tailored to the demographic demands of a certain province or territory, each one operates differently. Many PNPs provide precedence to applicants who have a link to the province, such as educational background or job experience in the province. An international student may be entitled to apply for a PNP in the province where they completed their program of study, depending on the province where they completed their programme of study.
4. Post-Graduation Work Permit
A post-graduation work visa can be an option for Canadian graduates but it is not a straightforward pathway to permanent residency. Most international students who have graduated from a designated learning institution (DLI) are allowed to stay in Canada following their studies and work for any employer in the country. This experience can help a person qualify for permanent residency in Canada, usually through the Canadian Experience Class or a Provincial Nominee Program sponsored by an employer. Please keep in mind that not all DLI program qualify for a post-graduation work permit visa.
5. Quebec Immigration Options
Quebec has its own immigration system, with standards and procedures that differ from those in the rest of the country. However, Quebec's immigration policies, like those in the rest of Canada, are structured in such a way that international students enjoy an advantage when seeking for permanent residence. The two main permanent residence programmes in Quebec feature streams specifically targeted for overseas students:
• Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW): International students in Quebec who have completed or are in the process of finishing an educational credential in Quebec may be eligible for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program. Unlike the PEQ programme, QSW does not require candidates to have a minimum level of French proficiency, but they must get a minimum score on the program's points evaluation grid.
• Quebec Experience Program (PEQ): Students must have finished their course of study or be within 6 months of completing their studies at a Quebec university to be eligible for the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ). An overseas student must exhibit advanced intermediate oral French proficiency to be eligible for PEQ.
