If you鈥檙e an international student studying abroad in Canada, or planning to become one, you may be thinking about immigrating to Canada after your studies. After all, Canada is a great study destination, but it鈥檚 also a wonderful, multicultural place to live and work. To kick off our Canadian Immigration Pathways series, let鈥檚 explore the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and how it can help you immigrate to Canada after your studies end.听
Haven鈥檛 begun your study abroad journey yet? Start with our guide on how to choose where to study in Canada!
What is the Provincial Nominee Program?
The process of immigrating to Canada is handled by the federal government through (IRCC). To settle in Canada permanently, you鈥檒l apply through the IRCC鈥攊n many cases, online through the 蝉测蝉迟别尘.听
So, what do the have to do with this process? Provincial governments can nominate people who have studied and worked in their province, making it much faster and easier for them to qualify for Express Entry or another immigration program.
the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), you must:
- Have the skills, education, and experience to contribute to the economy of a specific province or territory.
- Plan to live in that province.听
- Want to become a permanent resident of Canada.
If you鈥檝e graduated from (or will graduate from) a Canadian educational institution, you鈥檙e already likely to be a great PNP candidate for the province you studied in. If you worked in that province while studying, or worked for a year or more after studying by holding a (PGWP), even better!
Usually, you鈥檒l need an invitation from the province to apply for Express Entry streams, but you can set yourself up to receive one by:聽
- Applying for a PGWP, then staying in the province where you graduated from a post-secondary institution.听
- Working in your field for a year or more.
- Participating in the community and contributing to the local economy.
A PGWP is important, since it allows you to stay in Canada even after your studies end. Learn more about applying for a PGWP in our blog!
Wading Through the Streams
Each province and territory, except for Quebec and Nunavut, has its own PNP programs and pathways for certain target groups. These are known as 鈥渟treams.鈥澛�
Quebec has its own unique system. If you鈥檙e studying there, .
With over 80 different streams available, understanding exactly which PNP stream to apply to is important! It鈥檒l determine certain details, including where to get more information and how to apply. To start you off, we鈥檝e provided a brief look at each province鈥檚 immigration program and available streams below.
Note: No matter which stream you choose, you鈥檒l need to pass a medical exam and get a police (criminal record) check.
Alberta
Want to live among stunning mountain peaks and glaciers鈥攚ith a surprisingly affordable cost of living? The offers several immigration stream options for both workers and entrepreneurs.听聽
- International graduates may be invited by the province to apply to the Alberta Express Entry 蝉迟谤别补尘.听
- If you have an eligible full-time job offer from an Alberta employer, look into the Alberta Opportunity 蝉迟谤别补尘.听
- If you graduated from a post-secondary institution in Alberta and plan to start or buy a business, check out the Graduate Entrepreneur 蝉迟谤别补尘.听
British Columbia (B.C.)聽
For those who want to work on Canada鈥檚 gorgeous west coast, the is focused on helping meet B.C.鈥檚 labour market needs. There are three streams to choose from, all of which may be suited to international graduates.听
- The Skills Immigration stream provides priority PNP access to certain workers with a permanent job offer, especially health care workers and early childhood educators (ECEs).听
- Otherwise, the Express Entry British Columbia stream is the best option for graduates from post-secondary institutes in B.C.听
- Alternatively, if you鈥檙e planning to run a business, Entrepreneur Immigration may be worth considering.听
Heading to a rural area? Read more about Canada’s Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot as well!
Manitoba
For those who want a high quality of life at a low cost, Manitoba is the place to be. The currently offers five stream options, but the following are the most relevant for recent graduates.听
- Most international graduates of a Manitoba post-secondary institution will want to pursue the International Education 蝉迟谤别补尘.听
- Or, for qualified skilled workers who 鈥渃an demonstrate a strong connection鈥� to Manitoba, consider the Skilled Worker Overseas 蝉迟谤别补尘.听
New Brunswick
If you love camping, lush forests, and seafood, check out the !听
- The Skilled Worker stream requires that you have an offer of employment from a New Brunswick Employer, and intend to live and work in the province permanently.
Newfoundland and Labrador
The island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador offer natural beauty and a friendly sense of community. The provides multiple avenues to immigrate.听
- The International Graduate Category is for recent graduates with both a Post-Graduate Work Permit and a local job or job offer.
- Certain jobs will also qualify you for the Skilled Worker Express Entry Category, which speeds up the process.
For any of the Maritime provinces (New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, or PEI), be sure to read about the Atlantic Immigration Program as well!听
Northwest Territories聽
If the north鈥檚 spectacular natural parks and beautiful are calling your name, apply to the !听
- The Employer-Driven stream is focused on skilled workers with job offers, and includes an Express Entry option.
Nova Scotia
The offers nine full streams, providing plenty of opportunities to live on the magnificent east coast. There are two streams designed for international graduates.听
- The International Graduates in Demand stream is specifically for recent graduates with in-demand skills and education鈥攁t the time of publishing, this includes nurse aides and early childhood educators.听
- If you鈥檙e a graduate of a Nova Scotia university who has operated a Nova Scotia business for at least a year, you may be invited to apply to the International Graduate Entrepreneur 蝉迟谤别补尘.听
翱苍迟补谤颈辞听
As Canada鈥檚 most populous province, and home to over forty post-secondary institutions, Ontario is an in-demand immigration destination. Thankfully, the (OINP) offers nine streams to pick from. To qualify for any of them, you must , then receive an invitation to apply.听
- Recent graduates with a job offer should apply to the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker 蝉迟谤别补尘.听
- For graduates with a masters or PhD degree from an Ontario university, apply to the Masters Graduate or PhD Graduate 蝉迟谤别补尘蝉.听
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island (PEI) may be small, but it鈥檚 famous for its community, agriculture, outdoor exploration, and growing tourism industry. PEI is , making the an attractive option.听
- The International Graduate stream is perfect for graduates from accredited PEI post-secondary institutions who鈥檝e been hired by a PEI employer.听
Saskatchewan
Offering tons of job opportunities and an ever-growing population, Saskatchewan is an ideal destination for international graduates! The simplifies the immigration process for anyone with in-demand skills.听
- For skilled workers with a job offer in Saskatchewan, check out the streams under the International Skilled Worker Category.听
- If you graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution and have worked in Saskatchewan for at least six months, the Students stream under the Saskatchewan Experience Category is for you.听
- Or, if you plan to start a business after graduating from a Saskatchewan institution, try the International Graduate Entrepreneur Category.听
Note: If you live in Saskatchewan after graduating from a Saskatchewan post-secondary institution, you may be eligible for tax rebates from the province鈥檚 !
Yukon
The Yukon is a dream destination for lovers of wildlife and pristine glaciers. If you plan to live there, the is the way to go.听
- Skilled workers with a permanent, full-time job offer can apply for the Yukon Express Entry or Skilled Worker 蝉迟谤别补尘蝉.听
Still with us? There鈥檚 lots of information, and we鈥檝e only just scratched the surface. With so many Provincial Nominee Program options, Canada is a diverse and welcoming place to study, work, and live.听
For the latest information on the Provincial Nominee Program, always check the official , as well as the website for the specific province you plan to apply to. Best of luck!
Just starting your study abroad journey? Way to plan ahead!
