2023 marked a significant year in Canada's immigration history, particularly for international students transitioning to permanent residency (PR). As a leading Canada immigration consultancy, we recognize the importance of these developments for those seeking new opportunities in Canada.
Last year, a remarkable 62,410 international students became permanent residents, surpassing 2022's figure of 52,740. This rise illustrates Canada's commitment to integrating international graduates into its workforce and society. Most of these students gained PR by accumulating work experience in Canada post-graduation, typically facilitated by the Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program.
Additionally, 23,150 international students transitioned directly to PR post-graduation, often through Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams tailored for international graduates.
Canada stands out among international student destinations for its clear pathways from education to employment and eventual PR. To illustrate this journey, let's consider a hypothetical case: Amar, an Indian student who completed a two-year civil engineering course at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada.
Post-graduation, Amar obtains a PGWP, allowing him to work in Canada for the duration of his study period, up to a maximum of three years. To qualify for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry, a popular route among international graduates, Amar must accumulate 1,560 hours of skilled work experience in a NOC TEER 0,1,2 or 3 level job within Canada. This experience must be gained while on his PGWP and not during his study period.
After meeting the work experience requirement, Amar's next step is to achieve the necessary language proficiency, evidenced by a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 7 or 5 in all four skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) in English or French.
Upon fulfilling these criteria, Amar can submit his profile to the Express Entry pool. If selected, he will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for PR and proceed to submit supporting documents within 60 days.
Following successful processing of his application by IRCC, Amar would receive confirmation of permanent residence (COPR or e-COPR), allowing him to settle permanently in Canada.
At our Canada immigration consultancy, we are dedicated to guiding aspiring immigrants like Amar through the complex process of transitioning from international student to permanent resident. For more detailed information on pathways to Canadian PR and how we can support your journey, contact us.