In 2023, Canada welcomed 471,550 permanent residents, per the data by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This highlights the country’s appeal owing to its robust economy and high quality of life. The immigration-friendly policies are also one of the reasons why the country is one of the favorite choices among students.
Here’s a detailed insight into why many international students worldwide are moving to Canada for higher studies and strive to get a permanent residency (PR). The article also highlights how to get PR in Canada after study.
Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP) allows international students who have graduated from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) to gain an open work permit and work experience in Canada. Open work permit implies that international students have the freedom to work anywhere with any employer. The PGWP is valid for eight months to three years and opens opportunities for Canadian work experience.
A candidate must fulfill the following conditions before applying for a PGWP:
They must have attained a minimum of 18 years of age.
They must have studied full-time in a program for at least eight months in Canada.
The study program must have been completed at a DLI.
International students must apply for a PGWP within 180 days of their program/course completion.
If the student’s study permit is about to expire, they must apply for visitor status first and then for PGWP.
Register for Study in Canada FREE Course
The Canada hosts the largest number of international students from across the world. Over the past few years, it has become one of the most popular destinations for studying abroad. Reasons such as best-ranked institutions, excellent support facilities, flexible academic environment, and cultural diversity contribute to making it the most preferred destination amongst students planning to study abroad.
How to apply for Permanent Residency Program in Canada
After having adequate work experience in Canada, many international students are eligible to apply for residency programs (PR) in Canada. Here are the PR programs for international students who want to understand how to get PR in Canada after study:
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Canadian Experience Class(CEC)is covered under the Express Entry system and uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank the interested candidates. Candidates with competitive CRS scores receive the invitation to apply for the Canadian PR. To be eligible for CEC application, a student must have at least 12 months of full-time skilled work experience in the country. However, work experience gained during the studies is not counted as work experience to apply for CEC. Hence, after completing their studies, the students can apply for PGWP, gain experience, and later apply for CEC.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Provincial Nominee Program(PNP) offers international students an option to apply for Canadian PR who wish to migrate to a specific Canadian territory or province. Each province in Canada has its PNP requirements. Students with a connection to a particular province – study or work, get a higher chance of being eligible to apply for the PNP program.
Federal Skilled Worker Program
The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program operates through the Express Entry immigration system. This is for skilled workers with atleast 1 year of continuous work.
Quebec Immigration Options
It is available to students who have either completed their studies at an institution based in Quebec or are about to complete their course in the next six months. To be eligible for PEQ, the international students must have advanced French language skills. You must have completed at least 75% of your program’s courses in French.
Quebec Experience Program (PEQ):
It is available to students who have either completed their studies at an institution based in Quebec or are about to complete their course in the next six months. To be eligible for PEQ, the international students must have advanced French language skills.
Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW):
Similarly to PEQ, the international students applying for QSW, must have completed or are about to complete their studies at an institution based in Quebec. You will need to complete an expression of interest in immigrating to Québec online.
Knowing the rules for PR in Canada for international students is crucial. Here is a step-by-step guide to know how to get PR in Canada from India:
Step 1: You must have an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for your Canadian PR.
According to Canadian law, you can only apply through the Express Entry system after receiving an Invitation To Apply (ITA) valid for 60 days.
Step 2: Required documents must be collected
Before you start your application, you will have to ensure the documents are ready such as
passport, language Proficiency test Results, and proof of work experience.
If your documents are not available in French or English, then submit the translated documents approved by a certified translator.
Step 3: Know About Express Entry Profile And How To Create It
Sign in to Your Account: To Log in, use your IRCC account.
Complete the Profile: Enter all the details like personal information, education, employment history, language skills, and any other factors required.
Submit Your Profile: Based on the self-created profile, you will be assigned the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score that determines the rank.
Step 4: Pay the fees.
Application Fee: C$1,525 should be paid for you and your spouse and an extra C$260 (INR 15,839) for each dependent child.
Biometrics Fee: This is applicable for applicants between 14-79 years old.
Right of Permanent Residence Fee: You can pay this fee only when your application has been approved (The RPRF is mentioned in the Canada PR Cost section).
Step 5: Submission of the Application
Ensure all the necessary fields have been filled, all documents uploaded, and all fees processed before submitting the application.
Step 6: After Submission of the Application
You cancheck your application status and stay updated with upcoming messages or emails related to it. Moreover, you will also get a letter denoting the date and location of the biometrics submission.
Step 7: The Follow-Up & Updates Regarding Your Application
In case of changes such as a change of address, change of job status, or any change in the family, IRCC provides a web form that the individual has to fill out and submit.
Step 8: Decision on Your Application
Eligibility and Admissibility: Eligibility review, CRS score check, medical examination, and background check will be used to assess your application.
Approval or Refusal: You will receive a notification through the account you created in IRCC. If the application is accepted, besides the federal skilled worker selection factor, one must submit the Right of Permanent Residence Fee.
Switching to Work Permit Before Completing Studies
International students who decide to quit studies and gain a work permit need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). But, these students must inform the Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship, Canada (IRCC) if they decide to stop studying and apply for a work permit.
In case of a change in status, the international students may have to leave the country before they get their work permit. To secure an LMIA, the international student must obtain a valid job offer from an employer, and the employer must support the student’s work permit application.
The employer must also prove that they cannot find a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident to fill the role. Unlike an open PGWP, a closed LMIA allows a student to be connected to a specific job, location, and employer.
Documents Required to apply for Canadian PR after Study
International students must submit the following documents while applying for a work permit and wish to stay back in Canada after their course:
Valid Passport
Proofs of Education (copies of degrees/certificates/diplomas)
Proofs of Work Experience (valid offer letters, appointment letters, relieving letters, pay slips, reference letters from employer (if required)
Proof of funds
Proofs of dependents (marriage or birth certificates of dependents, if any)
Copies of fee receipts
Medical certificates
Police clearance certificate
Current photographs
Processing Time for Canada PR
The processing time for Canada PR for students can take up to six months. However, it depends on various factors such as the number of applications, province, and type of work permit. The processing time also depends on the existing type of application to the applied type of application.
Cost of Applying PR after Study
The international students have to render various fees depending on the categories and requirements. Some of the basic fees that the international students need to submit include:
Citizenship application fee – $CAN 630
Study Permit including extension – $CAN 150
Temporary resident permit – $CAN 229
Work permit including extension – $CAN 155
Biometric fee – $CAN 85
Canada PR cost
The cost for Canada PR is elaborated in the table below for different categories:
Category
Details
Processing Fee ($CAN)
Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) (C$)
Total Fee (C$)
Business Immigration
Principal Applicant
$CAN 1,810 (INR 1,10,265)
$CAN 575 (INR 35,029)
$CAN 2,385 (INR 1,45,294)
Include Spouse/Partner
$CAN 950 (INR 57,874)
$CAN 1,525 (INR 92,903)
Include Dependent Child
$CAN 260 (INR 15,839)
-
$CAN 260 (INR 15,839) per child
Caregivers
Principal Applicant
$CAN 635 (INR 38,684)
$CAN 575 (INR 35,029)
$CAN 1,210 (INR 73,713)
Include Spouse/Partner
$CAN 635 (INR 38,684)
$CAN 1,210 (INR 73,713)
Include Dependent Child
$CAN 175 (INR 10,660)
-
$CAN 175 (INR 10,660)
per child
Economic Immigration
Principal Applicant
$CAN 950 (INR 57,874)
$CAN 575 (INR 35,029)
$CAN 1,525 (INR 92,903)
Include Spouse/Partner
$CAN 950 (INR 57,874)
$CAN 1,525 (INR 92,903)
Include Dependent Child
$CAN 260 (INR 15,839)
-
$CAN 260 (INR 15,839) per child
Humanitarian Grounds
Principal Applicant
$CAN 635 (INR 38,684)
$CAN 575 (INR 35,029)
$CAN 1,210 (INR 73,713)
Include Spouse/Partner
$CAN 635 (INR 38,684)
$CAN 1,210 (INR 73,713)
Include Dependent Child
$CAN 175 (INR 10,660)
-
$CAN 175 (INR 10,660)
per child
Permanent Resident Card
Permanent Resident Card
$CAN 50 (INR 3046)
-
$CAN 50 (INR 3046)
Permit Holders Class
Principal Applicant
$CAN 375 (INR 22,845)
$CAN 575 (INR 35,029)
$CAN 950 (INR 57,874)
Protected Persons
Principal Applicant
$CAN 635 (INR 38,684)
-
$CAN 635 (INR 38,684)
Include Spouse/Partner
$CAN 635 (INR 38,684)
-
$CAN 635 (INR 38,684)
Include Dependent Child
$CAN 175 (INR 10,660)
-
$CAN 175 (INR 10,660)
per child
Source: IRCC(Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
Notes:
RPRF Refundable: If the application is withdrawn or refused.
RPRF Exceptions: Not applicable to dependent children, adoption sponsorships, sponsorships for orphaned relatives, and protected persons (humanitarian grounds or convention refugees).
Bank Balance for Canada PR
If you are applying for permanent residency in Canada through the Express Entry system, then the evidence of funding is compulsory for candidates under the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP).
This requirement is based on the updated rules from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as of May 28, 2024.
The required settlement funds will vary with the amount of members in the applicant's family. The amounts are given below according to special requirements.
Single applicant: C$14,690 (INR 8,94,911)
Family of two: C$18,288 (INR 11,14,100)
Family of three: C$22,483 (INR 13,69,658)
Family of four: C$27,297 (INR 16,62,926)
Family of five: C$30,690 (INR 18,69,627)
Family of six: C$34,917 (INR 21,27,134)
Family of seven: C$38,875 (INR 23,68,255)
Conclusion
In conclusion, obtaining permanent residency (PR) in Canada after study involves a comprehensive process that demands careful planning and understanding of the eligibility criteria.
The pathway to PR typically includes leveraging post-graduation work experience, meeting specific language proficiency levels, and navigating through various immigration programs like the Canadian Experience Class or Provincial Nominee Programs.
Thus, after understanding how to get a PR in Canada, you can quickly get started on your application process for the same.
PGWP application usually takes 80 to 180 days for processing. However, the candidates can work during the application tenure if they apply for PGWP before the expiration of their study permit.
Can I apply for PR while studying in Canada?
Suppose you are confused about how to get PR in Canada after studying. In that case, you must know that several permanent resident programs are offered to students to apply for a work permit, like the Canadian Experience Class, Provincial Nominee Program, and Federal Skilled Worker Program.
Is it easy to get PR in Canada after study?
Getting a PR in Canada becomes less complicated if you have also studied there. Study and work experience together help improve CRS score, opening doors for Express Entry profile.
What is Canada’s stay-back period offered to international students?
International students can stay and settle in Canada via post-study work visa. This can be granted to an international student for up to three years.
How much does Canada PR cost?
The cost of getting a Canadian Permanent Residence can cost you from C$1,210 to C$2,385. This cost varies depending on the type of PR category.
What is the age limit for Canada PR?
There is no age limit for applying for Canada PR. However, age can impact your points in the Express Entry system, with applicants aged 18-35 receiving the maximum points. For those over 47, no points are awarded for age.
How much bank balance is required for Canada PR?
The bank balance for Canada PR can range from C$14,690 to C$38,875, depending on the size of your family.
How long does it take to obtain a permanent resident visa?
It can take 6 months or less to obtain a permanent resident visa in Canada.
What English language tests are accepted for permanent residents?
The English language tests accepted for Canada PR are the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP), the International English Language Testing System(IELTS), and the Pearson Test of English(PTE Core).
What is the minimum IELTS score required for Canada permanent residency?
You must have a minimum language competency of CLB 7 (Canadian Language Benchmarks), which corresponds to a minimum score of 6.0 in each IELTS part, in order to apply for permanent residency through Express Entry.
Rakhee Talukdar is an edtech expert with five years of experience in the education technology sector, focusing on K-12 and higher education systems in various countries, including Canada, USA, Finland, France, and Germany. Her background includes founding a startup and working with early-stage educational ventures, giving her a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities within these educational landscapes. Additionally, Rakhee specializes in helping students craft compelling Statements of Purpose (SOPs) for studying abroad, leveraging her insights into different education systems to guide students in articulating their academic and professional goals effectively. Her comprehensive knowledge and strategic approach make her a valuable resource for students navigating their educational journeys and financial planning.
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