Considering to study in Canada? After graduating, you may be able to make Canada your permanent home.
Here are a few important things to keep in mind:
STEP 1: Get accepted to an eligible institution in Canada and obtain a study permit.
TIP: Not all colleges are the same! Check if your college AND program are PGWP-eligible PRIOR TO applying. This may save you time and money!
STEP 2: Complete your studies and obtain a Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) to gain valuable Canadian work experience.
- Work for almost any employer with this OPEN work permit
- You can obtain PGWP once in your lifetime
- Your spouse may be eligible for an open work permit
- Only skilled work experience would help you qualify for PR through the CEC (Canadian Experience Class) immigration program
STEP 3: Gain 1 year of work experience at the skilled – NOC 0, A, or B level job.
- Check the NOC classification system prior to accepting a job offer.
- Don’t rely on job title alone! Job duties matter. Refer to the “Find your NOC” page on canada.ca.
- Self-employment & work during full-time study in Canada DO NOT count towards CEC eligibility
STEP 4: Pass a language test to prove your language ability.
TIP: Learn about the differences between IELTS and CELPIP and pick the test that best fits your learning style. Some applicants get higher results in CELPIP and vice versa.
STEP 5: Got 1 year Canadian work experience and IELTS? Time to create an Express Entry profile, in order to enter the pool of candidates! You will need to answer questions about your education, work experience, language ability and other details. The top scoring candidates in the pool are invited to apply for PR.
- Points are awarded for 2+ credentials – do you have a degree from back home?
- Parlez-vous français? Get extra points for French language skills
- Be truthful and keep your profile up to date!
International students have the education, skills and work experience that Canada is looking for. If you need more information about pathways to Canada, feel free to reach out!