The table below provides an updated overview of the various Canadian immigration options for international students and graduates in Canada.
To learn more about any of these programs, including full eligibility criteria and application process, click the program/category name in the second column.
If you have any questions about applying for Canadian permanent residence, please contact us.
| Program/category | Aligned with Express Entry? | Is a job offer required? | Additional notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class | Yes | No | Graduates may become eligible after working in Canada on a Post-Graduation Work Permit. |
| Federal Skilled Worker Class | Yes | No | Previous study in Canada is worth 5 points towards eligibility. |
| Quebec Experience Class (PEQ) | No | No | Eligible individuals may apply at any time from 6 months before graduation, up to 36 months after graduation; must prove ability in French. |
| Quebec Skilled Worker Program | No | No | Higher education is a significant factor in the points matrix; previous study in Quebec may be worth up to 5 additional points. Note: this category is currently closed to new applications, except for cap-exempt individuals. |
British Columbia
BC PNP Skills Immigration: International Graduate | No | Yes | Not restricted to graduates of BC institutions, graduates of institutions across Canada may apply; category operates under Expression of Interest system called SIRS; Post-secondary education completed in BC is worth 8 SIRS points; Post-secondary education completed in Canada (outside BC) worth 6 SIRS points. |
British Columbia
BC PNP Express Entry: International Graduate | Yes | Yes | Not restricted to graduates of BC institutions, graduates of institutions across Canada may apply; category operates under Expression of Interest system called SIRS; Post-secondary education completed in BC is worth 8 SIRS points; Post-secondary education completed in Canada (outside BC) worth 6 SIRS points. |
British Columbia
BC PNP Skills Immigration: International Post-Graduate | No | No | For individuals who have obtained a master’s or doctoral degree in the natural, applied or health sciences from a BC institution. |
British Columbia
BC PNP Express Entry: International Post-Graduate | Yes | No | For individuals who have obtained a master’s or doctoral degree in the natural, applied or health sciences from a BC institution. |
Alberta
AINP Strategic Recruitment Stream: Post-Graduate Worker | No | Must be working for Alberta employer at time of application. | Graduates from an eligible post-secondary educational institution in Alberta, and who are working in Alberta on a Post-Graduation Work Permit, may apply. |
Alberta
AINP Employer-Driven Stream: International Graduate | No | Must be working for Alberta employer at time of application. | Applicants must have completed a certificate, diploma, or degree, or completed a graduate level program from an AINP-approved institution OR a publicly funded community college, trade/technical school or university in another Canadian province or territory. |
Manitoba
MPNP Skilled Worker in Manitoba | No | Yes | Must have attended an institution in Manitoba (language programs are excluded), except for graduates from a post-secondary program in another province who have been working for a Manitoba employer for at least one year. |
Manitoba
International Education Stream (IES) – Career Employment Pathway | No | Yes | Candidate must have a full-time job offer from an eligible employer in Manitoba. |
Manitoba
International Education Stream (IES) – Graduate Internship Pathway | No | No | Interested candidates must have completed a Mitacs Elevate or Accelerate internship and must attend an MPNP information session before submitting an Expression of Interest to the program. |
Manitoba
International Education Stream (IES) – International Student Entrepreneur Pilot | No | No | This is an entrepreneur immigration stream that provides up to 20 international students, who have completed a full-time post-secondary program in Manitoba, the chance to pursue entrepreneurship in the province. |
Atlantic Provinces (New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island)
Atlantic International Graduate Program (AIGP) | No | Yes, full time, one-year contract at skill level NOC 0, A, B or C | Graduates of post-secondary institutions in the Atlantic provinces can apply. No work experience is required.
Applicants require a two-year post-secondary diploma from a publicly funded learning institution in the Atlantic region. Application must be submitted within 12 months of obtaining the diploma. Must demonstrate level 4 of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) in English or the Niveau de compétence linguistique Canadien in French. Employer must be designated by the province where the job is offered. |
New Brunswick
NBPNP Express Entry Labour Market Stream | Yes | No | Graduates of New Brunswick educational institutions are prioritized, and previous study in New Brunswick is worth 5 points towards eligibility. |
Newfoundland & Labrador
NLPNP International Graduate Category | No | Yes | Graduates must have a job or job offer from a Newfoundland & Labrador employer, and must apply while they still have at least 6 months’ validity on their Post-Graduation Work Permit; graduates of eligible publicly funded colleges or universities across Canada may be able to apply. |
Newfoundland & Labrador
NLPNP Express Entry Skilled Worker | Yes | Yes | Previous study experience in Newfoundland & Labrador is worth 3 points towards eligibility. |
Nova Scotia
NSNP Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry | Yes | No | Previous study experience in Nova Scotia is worth 5 points towards eligibility; a spouse/common-law partner’s previous study experience in Nova Scotia is worth 5 further points. Note: this category is currently closed to new applications. |
Nova Scotia
NSNP Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry | Yes | No | Candidates must at least 12 months full-time (or an equal amount in part-time) paid skilled work experience in Nova Scotia in the three years before the application is made, providing an opportunity for graduates who obtain a Post-Graduation Work Permit after studying in Canada. |
Nova Scotia
NSNP International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream | No | No | Open to recent graduates of Nova Scotia post-secondary institutions who have already started or purchased a business in the province; operates on an Expression of Interest system. |
Ontario
OINP International Student with a Job Offer Stream | No | Yes | Graduates of a full-time degree or diploma program at an eligible publicly-funded Canadian college or university that is at least 2 years in length, or a 1-year post-graduate certificate program that requires a previous degree in order to qualify, may be able to apply; open to eligible candidates whose job offer has been approved through the Employer pre-screen process. |
Ontario
OINP International Masters Graduate Stream | No | No | Graduates of a full-time Master’s course at an eligible university in Ontario that is at least 1 year in length may be eligible. This stream is expected to open and close intermittently throughout 2017. |
Ontario
OINP International Student PhD Graduate Stream | No | No | Applicants must have completed at least two years of PhD studies at a university in Ontario. This stream is expected to open and close intermittently throughout 2017. |
Prince Edward Island
PEI PNP Labour Impact Category: International Graduate | No | Yes, in field of study. | This employer-driven stream allows PEI employers to hire recent graduates from recognized PEI universities and colleges. |
Saskatchewan
SINP Experience Category for Students | No | Yes | Graduates with a certificate, diploma, or degree from a recognized post-secondary educational institution in Saskatchewan may be able to apply. |