Tips for New Grads and Those Nearing Graduation

By Carolyn Mahon

You’ve studied hard and finally have that diploma or certificate in your hands. You’ve decided that your goal is to become a Canadian permanent resident. So how do you go about achieving it without running out of time and becoming a nervous wreck in the process?

Don’t despair! There are many options open to you to achieve your objective of becoming a permanent resident. Over the coming months we will give you tips and suggestions on how to meet the eligibility criteria.

International students in Canada have more options to smoothly transition from student to resident than any other country in the world, including being legally allowed to work while studying and for one to three years after graduating. The period after graduation can be utilized, depending on personal circumstances, to be able to apply immediately for permanent residency or to apply after meeting certain eligibility time spans.

Let’s explore the available pathways to permanent residency.

You can apply as an international student under one of the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). In this issue we review the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario. You can find an employer who wishes to hire you on a permanent basis in a skilled job, and then wait until 12 months have passed and apply under the Canada Experience Class category.

This employer could also apply for you under one of the PNPs. They could also apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which could enable you to continue working if your current post-graduate work permit is due to expire and/or could give you an extra 600 points under Express Entry if the LMIA is solely being used for permanent residency in Canada.

If you have a skilled trade and have two years’ experience within the past five years and have an employer who wants to offer you a full-time job (or two employers can offer two part-time jobs), you could be set to apply under the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

So you see, there is a multitude of different ways to achieve permanent residence in Canada.

We will elaborate on these programs over the coming months, so watch this space! You can also speak with an experienced immigration consultant for advice.