Canada's PR Journey: Opportunities for Master’s & PhD Graduates
Do you know how to obtain Permanent Residence (PR) After Graduating from a Master’s or PhD Program in Canada as an International Student? Canada has recently introduced changes that may make it easier for students completing master’s or Ph.D. programs to secure permanent residence (PR) in the country.
Gurmeet Sharma
On February 15, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) implemented a new policy regarding Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP), first announced on January 22 as part of various updates to Canada’s international student system.
Under this policy, graduates of master's degree programs at Canadian Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) – the only institutions authorized to accept international students by IRCC – are now eligible for a three-year PGWP, regardless of the program's duration. Previously, the PGWP duration for master's students was linked to the program's length.
How does this policy facilitate obtaining PR in Canada?
The PGWP allows international graduates to work in Canada after completing a PGWP-eligible program at a DLI. This Canadian work experience is valuable for those seeking PR, as many immigration pathways in Canada either require or reward such experience.
For instance, Canada’s Express Entry system, a popular application management system, awards candidates a minimum of 80 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for work experience gained in Canada before applying for PR.
Therefore, the expanded PGWP policy makes it easier for eligible students to obtain PR by providing them with more time to gain valuable Canadian work experience, which they can then utilize in their immigration applications.
Additional pathways that facilitate immigration for master's and PhD students in Canada:
Express Entry CRS system favors higher education
The Express Entry CRS system assigns higher CRS scores for higher levels of education. Master’s and Ph.D. degree holders receive the two highest CRS scores under the "level of education" category:
- Master’s students: 126 points with a spouse/common-law partner; 135 points without
- Ph.D. students: 140 points with a spouse/common-law partner; 150 points without
This higher CRS score increases the likelihood of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian PR.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) have streams for Master’s/PhD students
Completing a master's or Ph.D. degree in Canada opens up various Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams, as many provinces have specific pathways for graduates:
- Ontario: Ontario Masters Graduate Stream and Ontario Ph.D. Graduate Stream
- British Columbia: International Post-Graduate Category
- Manitoba: Graduate Internship Pathway
Overall, these pathways provide opportunities for master's and Ph.D. graduates to pursue permanent residence in Canada.
