There are quite a number of international students in Canada who obviously look forward to staying in Canada after their studies. In order to stay in Canada for an unlimited amount of time, you have to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. So, an international student’s only option to live, study, or work in Canada is to be a permanent resident. A permanent resident also has the option of being a Canadian citizen. So, the thought of getting permanent residence in Canada for international students is widespread. But how does it work?
If you’ve been asking these questions, you are in luck because you’ll finally get the answers. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know on how to get permanent residence in Canada for international students, including:
- The different ways to get permanent residency in Canada for international students and how to apply
- The benefits, eligibility and requirements
Read on for more details on how to get permanent residency in Canada for international students.
Why Study in Canada?
Canada is home to some of the world’s most elite schools. As such, the nation welcomes thousands of international students from all over the world yearly. Research conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in 2019 shows that Canada had a total of about 642,000 international students. The nation is said to keep a very high standard when it comes to education. International students in Canada also benefit from the same right and freedom as Canadian citizens. From elementary to secondary and tertiary studies, Canada is known for being one of the best at top-quality education and research opportunities.
Canadian schools also offer scholarship programs and various work opportunities to hel0 international student pay off their fees. International students studying in Canada also experience the richness of Canadian culture, social life, travel and its four seasons.
Due to these reasons, most international students would intend to stay longer in Canada after their studies. As such, they are always looking for how to get permanent residency in Canada for international students.
Why Migrate to Canada?
Migrating to Canada is a really great opportunity for most immigrants. Canada is one of the world’s leading countries in almost every sector. The nation has a thriving economy and guarantees its inhabitants an overall high quality of life. With standard education, healthcare, job opportunities, and amazing scenery Canada would be one of the ideal countries for any immigrant to migrate to. Canada is diverse and multicultural, thanks to its large immigrant population.
How to Get Permanent Residency in Canada for International Students
Let’s look at various ways international students can gain permanent residency in Canada.
1. Express Entry
The Express Entry program is a federal program that assigns a score to your profile as an international student. It ranks your profile amongst the other applicants in the pool. Express Entry draws take place every couple of weeks and the applicants who rank high are invited to apply for permanent residency.
Within the Express Entry program, depending on your situation, you may qualify for either of the following programs:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
- Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program.
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
Requirements to Apply to The Canadian Express Entry
To be eligible for the Express Entry program, you must meet the minimum requirements, which are;
Education
You must have completed post-secondary education in an institution recognized by Canadian standards.
Language Proficiency
You must be able to demonstrate on an approved language test a minimum of Canadian language benchmark (CLB) seven in either English or French.
Work Experience
You must have a minimum of one year of work experience in the last ten years of continuous full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in a skilled occupation.
How to Apply for Canadian Express Entry
- Find out which program you are most eligible for in the Canadian Express Entry system. Check the criteria for each one and study them well.
- Select the one you are eligible for and submit your Express Entry profile to the official website of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- Wait until you are sent an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. The IRCC holds Express Entry draws every two weeks for selection.
- Upon receiving an Invitation to Apply, proceed to submit your completed permanent residence application to the IRCC website. Once your application is processed, you’ll then be allowed to move to Canada.
2. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is mainly for candidates who intend to be Canadian permanent residents on the basis of qualifying for a skilled trade.
Requirements to Apply to The Federal Skilled Worker Class
Education
There are no educational requirements for the Federal Skilled Trades Program. However, candidates who attend schools in Canada or other foreign countries can still be awarded points.
Work Experience
You must have a minimum of 2 years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade. The work experience must be within the 5 years of submitting your application. You must meet the job requirements of the skilled trade. You must have an offer of full-time employment in Canada for a period of one year.
Language Proficiency
You should have a validated intermediate or a better language ability in English and/or French, depending on the province you will be staying in. the language abilities include reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Finance
You will have to show evidence that you have enough money for you and your family to settle in Canada. This only applies if you intend to move to Canada with your family. This can be boycotted if you can legally work in Canada or have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada.
3. Canadian Experience Class
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program is intended for skilled workers with Canadian work experience who want to become permanent residents.
Requirements to Apply to The Canadian Experience Class
For candidates outside Canada, your educational credential (certificate, degree or diploma) should be from a Canadian-recognized institution and must undergo the Educational Credential Assessment.
Work Experience
You should have a minimum of one year of working experience working full-time in the past ten years. The skilled occupation should be under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER category 0,1,2 or 3.
Language Proficiency
You should have a validated intermediate or a better English and/or French language ability, depending on the province you will be staying in. The language abilities include reading, writing, listening and speaking.
4. Federal Skilled Worker Class
The Federal Skilled Worker Class program(FSWC) is Canada’s primary economic immigration pathway.
Requirements to Apply to The Federal Skilled Worker Class
Education
For candidates outside Canada, your educational credential (certificate, degree or diploma) should be from a Canadian-recognized institution and must undergo the Educational Credential Assessment.
Work Experience
You should have a minimum of one-year of working experience working full-time in the past ten years. The skilled occupation should be under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER category 0,1,2 or 3.
Language Proficiency
You should have a validated intermediate or better English and/or French language ability depending on the province you will be staying in. The language abilities include reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Finance
You will have to show evidence that you have enough money for you and your family to settle in Canada. This only applies if you intend to move to Canada with your family. This can be boycotted if you can legally work in Canada or have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada.
5. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
The Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are programs for experienced, skilled workers who intend to move to a specific province and become Canadian permanent residents.
Requirements to Apply to The Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Education
You must complete your tertiary education in Canada.
Work Experience
Requirements and eligibility for work experience differ from one province to the other. Some provinces require you to have a job offer. However, you are still required to gather some work experience for this program.
Language Proficiency
You should have a validated intermediate or better English and/or French language ability depending on the province you will be staying in. The language abilities include reading, writing, listening and speaking.
6. Quebec Experience Program (QEP)
The Quebec Experience Program (QEP) is for students who are fluent in French and have completed their program of study or are 6 months from completing their program of study. It enables these international students to gain Canadian permanent residency.
Requirements to Apply to The Quebec Experience Program (QEP)
- You must have intentions of settling in Quebec.
- You must have lived temporarily in Quebec while studying and respected the conditions of your stay.
- You must legally reside in Quebec at the time of your application submission.
- You must demonstrate an advanced intermediate knowledge of oral French. If you have a spouse, your spouse must also demonstrate knowledge of the French language.
- You must hold an eligible Quebec diploma (a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree).
- You must show proof of funds that you can provide for your needs (and that of your spouse).
Average Permanent Residence Application Processing Time
On average, it takes about 6 months or less to process a Canadian permanent residency application. However, the processing time for most Canadian permanent residencies depends on the immigration program you applied for. Processing times can be delayed if your information needs to be corrected.
Benefits of Being a Canadian Permanent Resident as an International Student
When you become a Canadian permanent resident, you are entitled to the following:
1. Live and work in Canada
Canada is one of the finest countries in the North American continent, as many immigrants aspire to live and work there. The nation offers beautiful sights and landscapes, a high quality of life, and the peaceful coexistence of diverse cultures.
2. Access to education
One of the core benefits of permanent residency in Canada is the aspect of free education and healthcare. As a Canadian permanent resident, your children have access to free education up to the 12th grade. The Canadian education system comprises of three levels, namely, primary, secondary and higher education. At the higher education/university level, permanent residents’ tuition fees are reduced.
3. Access to healthcare
The Canadian healthcare sector is amongst some of the world’s finest. As a Canadian permanent resident, you are given the luxury of free medical care and prescription drugs, which you are granted because of your paid taxes. You are also granted public health insurance.
4. Paved the way to Canadian citizenship
As a Canadian permanent resident, if you’ve lived in Canada for three years (1,095 days) out of the five years after being issued your permanent residency, you are eligible to apply and become a Canadian citizen. However, only five years before that date will be considered valid for citizenship eligibility.
5. Protection under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and freedom
As a permanent resident in Canada, you are protected by Canadian laws and rights. You are entitled to various rights to help you be safe and thrive in this beautiful country.
6. Easy access to starting your own business
Being a Canadian permanent resident enables you to start your enterprise. Be it a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation business, all without being a Canadian citizen.
Tips for Applying for Permanent Residency in Canada
You have a higher chance at Canadian permanent residency visa requirements if you:
- Uploading authentic documents as false documents will get you disqualified.
- Be in the suitable age range to apply for permanent residency.
- Be sure to respond to your Invitation to Apply (ITA).
- Choose a channel of immigration that enables you to get your permanent residency easily.
- Be sure to fill out your visa application forms correctly.
- Cautiously satisfy ass that is asked of you from the Canadian permanent residency visa requirements.
Final Thoughts Getting a Permanent Residency in Canada as an International Student
Many international students need to have the correct information on how to get permanent residency in Canada for international students. This guide provides you with an overview of all the necessary information. Obtaining permanent residency after completing your studies in Canada helps you stand a chance of enjoying all the benefits of being a permanent resident in Canada. As such, you should take your application procedure really seriously and choose a program you are eligible for.
Frequently Asked Questions on How to Get Permanent Residency in Canada for International Students
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