How Can International Master's and PhD Graduates Secure Canadian PR After Graduation?

Effective February 15, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced big changes in the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) policy. Interestingly, the recent changes will significantly impact the pathways to permanent residence (PR) for international students completing master's or PhD programs in Canadian institutions.

Under the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program, international students who complete their Master’s or PhD graduation at Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) in Canada become eligible for a generous three-year PGWP.

Yes, you heard it right. Now, it becomes much more easier to secure a Permanent residency status after graduation. Let us see how it becomes easier to get PR.
PGWP is immensely significant for international students, as it allows them to work in Canada upon completing a PGWP-eligible program at a DLI. The Canadian work experience is invaluable as many immigration pathways mandate or greatly favour such work exposure.

One of the popular immigration pathways, the Express Entry stream, gives immense importance to the work experience gathered by international students through PGWP. As a candidate in the Express Entry pool, you can earn extra points of 80 CRS scores for this work experience. These additional scores can boost your CRS ranking and improve your chance of obtaining PR. This point value applies to Express Entry candidates without a spouse or common-law partner under the Express Entry system's Core/Human Capital Factors section.

With the three years of extended PGWP, international students can utilize this additional year to work and gain valuable Canadian work experience. This experience will strengthen their immigration process and make obtaining PR easier.

Boost Your CRS Score with Higher Level of Education

In addition to work experience, the Express Entry system highly values higher levels of education, such as a Master's/ PhD from the Canadian DLIs. Let us check out the CRS points you receive with the following qualifications:

• If master's students apply for immigration to Canada, having a spouse or common-law partner earns them 126 points, while being single earns them 135 points in the CRS rankings.
• PhD students get 140 points if they include a spouse or common-law partner in the application and get the maximum score, that is 150 points if they apply with single status.

The higher your educational qualification, the more CRS points you will have, and the better your chances of being invited to apply for Canadian PR.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNPs) for International students 

International students with Masters/ PhD status can immigrate to Canada through various PNPs. After Express Entry, PNPs are the next favoured immigration pathway by international students and skilled professionals in Canada.

Not all provinces have the same requirements, and application procedures vary. Each province has its own criteria, job demands, and target industries. For instance, Quebec has very different criteria from other provinces in Canada. It is the only province in Canada whose only official language is French. The students must provide proof of French proficiency to get a nomination from the province.

The PNP programs in other provinces, such as the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP),  Alberta Opportunity Stream, Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream and the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), attract skilled professionals and international students who have graduated from Canadian institutions.

PNPs often feature streams explicitly designed for graduates, providing them with opportunities to settle and contribute to the economic growth of their chosen province.

Several provinces offer specific streams within their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) for graduates. Ontario has the Ontario Masters Graduate Stream and the Ontario Ph.D. Graduate Stream, catering to those who have completed advanced degrees in the province. British Columbia offers the International Post-Graduate Category, to retain graduates from its institutions. Manitoba provides the Graduate Internship Pathway, designed for those who have completed internships as part of their graduate programs in the province. 

So, selecting the proper province increases your chances of meeting the program requirements and obtaining PR. Additionally, demonstrating a genuine intention to settle in a particular province strengthens your application and aligns with the objectives of the PNP.

Consulting an experienced immigration lawyer can further enhance your chances of securing PR after graduation by providing expert guidance tailored to your situation.

At ImmiLaw Global, we have proficient immigration lawyers and overseas study experts ready to assist you at every step and ensure a smooth migration to Canada. We understand your challenges when navigating the immigration process and choosing the right pathway.  Contact us for personalized assistance tailored to your specific needs.

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