Tips for Fast and Legal Immigration to Canada through Student Visas

Canada Immigration through student visas raises many questions for international students and their families. The process involves over 500,000 international students currently enrolled in educational programs across the country.

Choosing to study in Canada not only provides benefits from world-class education but also serves as a stepping stone to incredible career opportunities and long-term residency in the Maple Leaf country.

The following article from ImmiPath will show you the most legal way to study and settle in Canada. Check it out now!

1. What Are the Requirements for Settling in Canada as an International Student?

Settling in Canada as an international student allows graduates from Canadian colleges, universities, or post-graduate programs to stay in the country and work for 1 to 3 years. After this period, international students can apply for permanent residency in Canada through the employment route. This is a popular choice among many international students after graduation.

Additionally, each province in Canada has different immigration programs for international graduates. Therefore, students need to understand these immigration policies before studying abroad, especially if they wish to settle in Canada.

To qualify for studying and settling in Canada, you need to meet the following requirements:

1.1 Regarding Canadian Immigration Visa for International Students

To study in Canada and transition to permanent residency, international students need an entry visa. To secure this golden ticket towards studying and settling in Canada, you must meet the following conditions:

• A diploma or certificate confirming completion of a course in Canada
• A valid international passport with at least 6 months remaining
• Proof of financial capability to cover your study and living expenses in Canada
• A police clearance certificate, medical examination, no infectious diseases, and no criminal record

1.2 Field of Study and Duration

Each province in Canada has different standard requirements regarding the duration of study and residency. You should research thoroughly before choosing a field of study for immigration purposes. Some fields that are prioritized for immigration to Canada include healthcare, nursing, engineering, agriculture, and Earth sciences…

1.3 Regarding Experience for Canadian Immigration as an International Student

Work experience is also an important factor if you plan to study and settle in Canada. Most universities and colleges in Canada offer internship and part-time work opportunities to gain work experience. It is advisable to enroll in such institutions to accumulate experience and enhance your job application profile.

2. Pathway to Canadian Permanent Residency for International Students

In 2022, Canada welcomed nearly 450,000 international students. The country is considered one of the top destinations worldwide for international students seeking post-secondary education. This is not only due to the high quality of education but also the opportunity to transition to permanent residency (PR) in Canada.

After graduation, international students have several options to stay in Canada. Gaining work experience in Canada helps graduates become the most suitable candidates for Canadian immigration programs.

Therefore, after graduation, international students should first consider applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which allows them to stay and work in Canada for up to three years. Once they have obtained the necessary work experience in Canada, they can apply for PR.

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) accepts immigrants through over 100 immigration programs. Therefore, there is always a pathway to study and settle in Canada for international students from any background and field of study. Some popular immigration programs include:

2.1 Canadian Federal Immigration Programs

International students can immigrate to Canada through Express Entry (EE) as economic immigrants under three federal high-skilled immigration programs: the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

Depending on their field of study, international graduates may qualify for multiple programs.

See more: Immigration to Canada via Express Entry

2.2 Immigrating to Canada through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)

Most provinces and territories in Canada operate their own Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) and welcome skilled workers to strengthen their economies.

Currently, PNP is a top pathway for immigration to Canada, making it very popular among international students. Some PNPs require graduates to have at least one year of work experience, while others accept international students with just a job offer.

To obtain PR through PNP, international students must go through a two-step process. First, they must receive a provincial nomination from the province where they intend to settle, and then support their PR application with the federal government.

Provinces of Canada and programs for international graduates:

a. Study and Settle in Ontario

Ontario offers two streams specifically for international graduates: the Master’s Graduate Stream and the PhD Graduate Stream for Master’s and Doctoral graduates, respectively.

After graduation, students do not need a job offer to qualify for these streams. In addition, the Employer Job Offer streams also have a sub-category for international graduates.

b. Immigrating to Canada after Studying in British Columbia

British Columbia accepts international graduates through the Express Entry British Columbia system and the Skills Immigration category. Both programs require applicants to have a valid job offer. However, those who qualify under the International Post-Graduate category do not need to provide a job offer.

c. Study and Settle in Manitoba

Manitoba has launched the International Education Stream for graduates of post-secondary institutions in the province. International graduates can apply through three pathways: the Career Employment Pathway, the Student Entrepreneur Pathway, and the Post-Graduate Internship Pathway.

d. Immigrating to Canada through Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan allows recent graduates from post-secondary institutions in Canada to apply for PR through the Saskatchewan Experience category.

Graduates need to have a full-time job offer from a Saskatchewan employer approved by the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) and then submit their application to SINP.

e. Study and Settle in New Brunswick

Graduates from New Brunswick can apply for PR through the New Brunswick Skilled Worker category. This stream is not specifically for international graduates; however, many international students who completed their studies in New Brunswick have chosen this studying abroad pathway for Canadian immigration.

Applicants must have a job offer from an approved New Brunswick employer and one year of work experience to apply for PR.

f. Study and Settle in Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island offers the International Graduate Stream for recent graduates from post-secondary institutions in the province.

International graduates applying under this stream must have a job offer in the province in a skilled occupation related to their field of study.

g. Nova Scotia: A Province Supporting International Students’ Immigration to Canada

Nova Scotia accepts international graduates through the International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream. To be eligible to study and immigrate to Canada to participate in this program, graduates need to have completed at least two years of full-time study at a university or college in Nova Scotia and must operate their own businesses in the province for at least one year.

h. Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador has introduced two streams for international graduates:

The International Graduate Stream is for graduates from any eligible Canadian institution who have a job offer in their field of study from an approved employer in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is for international students who wish to start a business in the province.

2.3 Atlantic Immigration Program

The Atlantic Immigration Program allows employers from the four Atlantic provinces to hire foreign talent and provide them with PR.

International graduates from eligible institutions in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick prefer the Atlantic International Graduate Program because it allows them to apply for PR without needing work experience in Canada.

The programs mentioned above are not all the PNP options available to international graduates, but they are some of the relevant options for those seeking to settle in Canada after studying.

If you are an international student in Canada or a recent graduate and wish to apply for PR in Canada, do not hesitate to contact ImmiPath’s immigration consulting experts!

2.4 Marrying a Canadian Citizen

If during your studies in Canada, you fall in love with a permanent resident or a Canadian citizen. Then you can marry them, but it is important that the marriage is genuine and not fraudulent. Afterward, you will need to follow the procedures to change your visa status and apply for PR.

Conditions for Studying and Immigrating to Canada through marriage:

• The spouse or partner must be a permanent resident or Canadian citizen.
• You must be 18 years or older.
• You must reside in Canada.

If the Canadian citizen lives outside Canada, they must demonstrate that you both plan to live in Canada. Permanent residents living outside Canada cannot sponsor their spouse or partner for immigration.

The processing time for spousal sponsorship applications to immigrate to Canada typically takes about 12 months.

3. Should You Consider Immigrating to Canada through Studying?

If you are a graduate from Canada or an international student with a high level of education, proficiency in English or French, and can demonstrate financial stability, you may qualify for one of the immigration programs outlined by ImmiPath. These programs offer opportunities to obtain PR, legally settle in Canada, and enjoy the benefits and lifestyle of Canadian residents in a safe and happy country.

Moreover, Canada is known for its open policies towards international students, particularly from Vietnam, making it a unique and accessible option for those looking to immigrate.

Keep in mind that federal or provincial immigration programs can close once the required number of workers is reached. Therefore, it is wise to plan and act now rather than wait until these opportunities become unavailable.

If you have any questions about immigrating to Canada through studying, feel free to comment below with your phone number or email address. The ImmiPath consulting team is ready to assist with the expertise to help Vietnamese students studying in Canada quickly achieve PR status.