Securing Your Study Permit and Moving to Canada
Before you move to Canada, you must secure a study permit to study at a designated learning institution (DLI). You also need to understand the entry rules and take important steps when you arrive.
Choosing a Designated Learning Institution
You must pick a school approved by the Canadian government, called a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). Only DLIs can accept international students with a study permit.
Check the official list of DLIs before applying. Your choice will affect your permit application and your ability to work during studies.
Choose a program that fits your career goals. Make sure the school issues the documents needed for your study permit application.
Applying for a Study Permit
Apply for your study permit several months before your course starts.
You need an acceptance letter from your chosen DLI, proof of funds for tuition and living costs, and a valid passport.
You can apply online or at a visa application center. Submit all required documents to avoid delays.
From November 8, 2024, if you want to change schools, you must apply for a new permit.
Understanding Entry Requirements
At the border, show your study permit approval letter, passport, and DLI acceptance letter.
Prove you can support yourself financially while in Canada.
You may need to meet health and security checks. Be ready to answer questions about your study plans.
Your permit allows you to stay only for your study period unless you apply for extensions.
Initial Steps Upon Arrival
Once you arrive, keep your study permit and documents handy. Register with your school promptly.
Find housing, set up banking, and get a local SIM card.
Understand your rights to work on-campus or off-campus. Follow rules to stay compliant.
Stay informed about reporting requirements, which began changing after November 2024.
Building Canadian Credentials and Student Life Success
To succeed as an international student in Canada, focus on gaining strong academic credentials and adapting to the culture. Manage your finances wisely to make the most of your education.
Maximizing Your Canadian Education
Your Canadian education helps build credentials for your future. Attend classes regularly and engage with professors and peers.
Use campus resources like tutoring, career services, and workshops. These tools improve your skills.
Look for internships or co-op programs related to your field. Practical work experience in Canada boosts your resume and can help you qualify for post-graduation work permits.
Maintain good grades and keep records of your achievements.
Adjusting to Canadian Culture
Adapting to Canadian culture is important for your daily life and academic success. Learn about Canadian customs, communication styles, and local laws.
Participate in social activities and join student groups. This helps you build a support network and improve your English or French.
Stay open to new perspectives. Give yourself time to adjust, as cultural differences can sometimes feel challenging.
If you face difficulties, seek help from counselors or international student advisors.
Financial Planning and Banking for Students
Managing your money carefully is crucial during your studies in Canada. Open a Canadian bank account soon after arriving.
Create a budget that includes rent, food, transportation, and entertainment. Track your spending to avoid running out of funds.
Explore student discounts and benefits, such as transit passes or discounted events.
Work on campus if your study permit allows it. This can provide extra income and Canadian work experience.
Plan ahead for tuition payments and renewal fees for your permits.
Post-Graduation Work Permit and Gaining Experience
After you finish your studies in Canada, you can apply for a work permit to gain valuable job experience. This permit helps you build your career and qualify for permanent residence.
Eligibility for the PGWP
To get a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), graduate from a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada. Your program must be at least eight months long.
Not all schools or programs qualify for the PGWP, so check your institution’s status before applying. Apply for the permit within 180 days of receiving your final grades or degree confirmation.
The length of your PGWP depends on your study program, up to a maximum of three years. You can only apply for a PGWP once, so timing is important.
Finding Skilled Work After Graduation
With a PGWP, you can work for any employer in any location in Canada. You don’t need a job offer before applying.
Focus on skilled jobs related to your field of study. These are usually in industries like technology, healthcare, engineering, or business.
Look for jobs that give you skilled work experience. This experience is often required for immigration programs like the Canadian Experience Class.
Use job boards, career centers, and networks to find positions. Gaining Canadian work experience can improve your chances of getting permanent residency.
Importance of Canadian Work Experience
Canadian work experience shows you understand the local job market and workplace culture. This experience helps you meet the requirements of the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) immigration program.
With at least one year of full-time skilled work in Canada, you increase your chances of applying successfully for permanent residence. This work must match the skill levels specified by immigration authorities.
Canadian experience also helps you build connections for your future career and settlement.
Pathways to Permanent Residency for Graduates
When you finish your studies in Canada, you have several options to become a permanent resident. These options include federal programs, provincial pathways, and special routes for French speakers.
Your choice depends on your work experience, language skills, and where you want to live in Canada.
Express Entry System Overview
Express Entry is a popular way to get permanent residency if you have skilled Canadian work experience. Start by applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) to gain at least one year of skilled work in Canada, classified under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
After gaining work experience, create an Express Entry profile. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores your profile based on age, education, language abilities, and work experience.
If your CRS score is high enough, you’ll get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. Processing usually takes about six months after ITA.
You can increase your chances by improving your language scores or gaining more work experience.
Provincial Nominee Program Options
Provinces in Canada have specific streams, called Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), for graduates to apply for permanent residency. Some provinces require a job offer from a local employer.
For example, British Columbia limits most PNP streams except health care jobs. Provinces like Ontario, Alberta, and Manitoba have streams targeting international graduates with job offers or work experience.
You must apply directly to the province or through Express Entry if the PNP is linked to it. Getting a nomination adds 600 points to your CRS score.
Key points for PNPs:
- Job offer often required
- Ties to the province are important
- Processing varies, usually several months
Quebec Programs and French Language Pathways
If you plan to live in Quebec, follow provincial rules separate from Express Entry or regular PNPs. Quebec offers programs for graduates with strong French skills.
The Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) considers your French language abilities, education, and work history. Meeting the province’s French language requirements improves your chances.
For French speakers outside Quebec, the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot helps you settle in certain communities, including in BC. This pilot needs good French proficiency (CLB 5 or higher) and a job offer from a participating employer.
Building Points for PR Success
To improve your chances of becoming a permanent resident, focus on boosting your CRS score and meeting program criteria. Language proficiency in English or French is critical—aim for CLB 7 or higher for Express Entry.
Work experience gained through a PGWP is valuable, especially in skilled jobs. Secure valid job offers when possible, especially for PNP routes.
If you speak French well, it can add points or open special immigration pathways. Keep your documents ready, including language test results, educational credentials, and police clearances.
Track changes in immigration rules and draw cut-offs to time your application well.
Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for Permanent Residency
To apply for permanent residency in Canada, collect specific documents, fill out and submit your application, and track its progress. Pay attention to detail and meet all deadlines, especially if applying through Express Entry.
Preparing Documentation
Start by gathering all required documents. These include language test results, police certificates, proof of funds, and identity papers like your birth or marriage certificates.
If you are declaring family members, include their documents as well. All non-English or French documents must be translated by a certified translator.
You cannot translate your own documents or have family members do this. Make certified photocopies of each original document.
These must be verified by an authorized official, such as a notary public or commissioner of oaths. You and your family cannot certify your own copies.
Complete a medical exam with a panel physician approved by Canadian immigration.
Submitting Your Application
Once your documents are ready, sign in to your secure IRCC account. Fill out the application form completely and upload your documents according to a personalized checklist.
Pay all relevant fees, including the processing fee, biometrics fee, and the right of permanent residence fee. Using a credit or debit card is the easiest way to pay.
You have 60 days after receiving an invitation to apply to submit your full application. Missing this deadline means losing your chance to apply under that invitation.
The system won’t let you submit if any mandatory fields or required documents are missing. Double-check everything before submitting.
Following Up and Processing Times
After submitting your application, monitor your account regularly for updates or requests for more information.
Processing times vary depending on the immigration program and your case. Express Entry applications usually process faster but can take several months.
Respond quickly to any additional requests from immigration officers to avoid delays or refusal.
You may need to provide biometrics if you haven’t done so before. Schedule your appointment as soon as asked.
When your application is approved, follow the instructions to confirm your permanent residency and prepare for your arrival or status change.
Tips for Boosting Your Permanent Residency Profile
Focus on improving specific skills, gaining relevant work experience, and considering further education to increase your chances of becoming a permanent resident.
Paying attention to language requirements and the type of work you do in Canada can make a big difference.
Improving Language Skills
Your language ability is one of the most important factors in your application. You need good scores in English or French language tests to meet the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels needed for most PR programs.
Aim to score at least CLB 7 for jobs in higher-skilled categories (NOC TEER 0 or 1). For lower skill levels, CLB 5 or 6 might be enough.
If you speak French, improving your skills can open additional pathways like the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot. Scores in French at CLB 5 or above will give you bonus points in Express Entry and expand your options.
Prepare well for language tests like IELTS for English or TEF for French. Retaking the test to improve your score is often worth the time.
Gaining Additional Skilled Work Experience
Having strong skilled work experience in Canada will boost your profile. You must have at least one year of experience in jobs classified under NOC TEER levels 0, 1, 2, or 3 within the past three years for programs like the Canadian Experience Class.
Work gained under a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) counts toward this experience. Try to secure jobs in in-demand sectors, including healthcare, STEM fields, trades, or education.
If your experience is less than a year, consider working longer to meet eligibility.
Keep good records of your work history, pay stubs, and employer references. You will need these during your PR application.
Considering Further Canadian Education
Completing further studies in Canada can increase your points and make your profile more competitive.
Additional credentials from a designated learning institution show your commitment to Canada’s labor market.
Post-secondary programs that last at least one year usually qualify you for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
With this permit, you can gain Canadian work experience, which many PR programs require.
Higher levels of education can earn you extra points in Express Entry.
For example, a master’s or doctoral degree gives you more points than a bachelor’s degree.