Permanent Residency Pathways for International Students

The immigration information on this page has been reviewed and endorsed by Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCIC) in compliance with the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Protection
Act. However, this is not a legal document and information may change without notice. Always refer to www.cic.gc.ca for the most up-to-date information.

What is a Canadian permanent resident?

International students are considered temporary residents in Canada. If you want to live in Canada
permanently and you meet certain requirements, you can apply to immigrate as a permanent resident (PR).
PRs are eligible for most Canadian social benefits and can live, work, or study anywhere in Canada. They
must follow certain rules to retain their PR status, such as live in Canada for at least two years every five-year
period. PRs who meet additional requirements can eventually apply for Canadian citizenship.
UBC does not provide PR advice to students. We are not PR experts. Some students get professional advice
from authorized immigration representatives; others apply for PR independently after extensive research and
careful preparation. This is a very general guide with basic information to help you get started.
How do international students become PRs?
Most international students become PRs after graduation through economic immigration programs which
emphasize proven (or potential) success in the Canadian labour market as a skilled worker. This guide
focuses on the most common programs used by UBC students:
(1) Canadian Experience Class
(2) Federal Skilled Worker Program
(3) BC PNP International Graduate Category (IG)
(4) BC PNP International Post Graduate Category (IPG)
However, keep in mind that everyones situation is unique. There are many different immigration programs,
each with a different application procedure and processing time. You may also qualify for programs not
discussed here, including (but not limited to) the Self-employed Persons Program, Start-up Visa, Family
Sponsorship (e.g. through a Canadian or PR spouse/common-law partner), or Provincial Nominee Programs in
other provinces and territories. Quebec also has province-specific programs.
Some people are inadmissible for reasons such as serious health problems or past criminal convictions,
making PR difficult to obtain. See http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/inadmissibility/index.asp.
Economic immigration applications processed within Canada typically take between six months to 2 years (or
sometimes longer!) to complete. The total cost of applying independently (including costs of supplemental
documents and medical/language exams) is approximately $1,200 to $2,000.
What is considered skilled work?
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is Canadas official classification system of occupations
(http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2011/Welcome.aspx). To determine the skill level of your job,
search the NOC for the job title with main duties that most closely match your jobs duties. You can then
determine the jobs skill level (e.g. A, B, C, D, or 0) within the NOC Matrix. The NOC can be challenging to
navigate; if you are unsure, consider seeking professional advice.

International Student Development 1783 West Mall Phone: 604.822.5021

www.students.ubc.ca/international Updated Sept.1, 2015 Page 1 of 5

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

CEC is a federal immigration program. Most students who apply through CEC (1) apply for a post-graduation
work permit (PGWP) within 90 days of completing their program at UBC, (2) gain the required work experience
by using the PGWP, and (3) apply for CEC. You can only apply for one PGWP in your lifetime.
Just because you qualify for CEC does not mean you can become a PR; you must use Express Entry to apply
for CEC and then be selected. First, fill out an Express Entry online profile indicating your language test scores,
Educational Credential Assessment (if you require one), and work experience. Your profile will be valid for 12
months. CIC will rank Express Entry profiles and, on a regular basis, send top candidates an Invitation to Apply
(ITA). Only those who get an Invitation to Apply from CIC will be able to apply for PR under CEC. If you receive
an ITA, you have 60 days to apply for PR online. See http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/express-entry/.

Canadian Experience Class

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/cec/apply-who.asp

Education required:

Most skilled jobs require college or university degree

Work experience required:

12 months of full-time (or an equal amount in part-time)

skilled work in Canada within the three years before
application is received

NOC skill level required:

0, A, or B

Language skills required:

Current posted processing time (if

processed within Canada):

NOC 0 or A jobs = Canadian Language Benchmark

(CLB) 7
NOC B jobs = CLB 5

Up to 6 months after selection (if submitted through Express

Entry after January 1, 2015)

Important notes:

For CEC purposes, full time means 30 or more hours of work per week at least 1,560 hours in a
year. The hours can consist of work in more than one skilled job.

Work experience gained while you are studying on a study permit (e.g. co-op work or teaching
assistantships) does not count towards CEC requirements.

Work experience can be non-continuous (i.e. there can be breaks between your employment).

Work experience can be gained on temporary contracts. However, self-employed work does not count
towards CEC requirements.

If you apply for CEC but your authorization to work in Canada (e.g. your post-graduation work permit)
will expire within four months, you may be eligible to apply for a bridging open work permit. This will
allow you to maintain legal temporary resident status and continue working in Canada while you wait for
your PR application to be finalized. You can only apply after you received an Acknowledgement of
Receipt letter or e-mail from CIC (meaning you received a positive eligibility assessment on your
application). See http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/temp/work/prov/bridging.asp.
International Student Development 1783 West Mall Phone: 604.822.5021
www.students.ubc.ca/international Updated Sept. 1, 2015 Page 2 of 5

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

The FSWP is a federal immigration program. Students can apply through the FSWP only if they meet all the
conditions set out in the minimum requirements and they have enough points in the FSWP Grid.
Just because you qualify for the FSWP does not mean you can become a PR; you must use Express Entry to
apply for the FSWP and then be selected. First, fill out an Express Entry online profile indicating your language
test scores, Educational Credential Assessment (if you require one), and work experience. Your profile will be
valid for 12 months. CIC will rank Express Entry profiles and, on a regular basis, send top candidates an
Invitation to Apply (ITA). Only those who get an Invitation to Apply from CIC will be able to apply for PR under
the FSWP. If you receive an ITA, you have 60 days to apply for PR online. See
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/express-entry/.

Federal Skilled Worker Program

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/apply-who.asp

Education required:

A Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary

certificate, diploma or degree, OR
An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report
from an agency approved by CIC to show your foreign
education is equal to Canadian education standards

Work experience required:

One year continuous full-time (or an equal amount in parttime) paid work (in or outside Canada), in the same NOC
skill type, within the last 10 years

NOC skill level required:

0, A, or B

Language skills required:

Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7

Points required in the FSWP Grid

At least 67 points (out of a possible 100)

Current posted processing time (if

processed within Canada):

Up to 6 months after selection (if submitted through Express

Entry after January 1, 2015)

Important notes:

For FSWP purposes, full time means 30 or more hours of work per week at least 1,560 hours in a
year.

Work experience gained while you are studying on a study permit (e.g. co-op work or teaching
assistantships) may count towards FSWP requirements if it meets all the other requirements.

1 year of work experience must be continuous (i.e. there cannot be breaks between your employment).

If you apply for FSWP but your authorization to work in Canada (e.g. your post-graduation work permit)
will expire within four months, you may be eligible to apply for a bridging open work permit. This will
allow you to maintain legal temporary resident status and continue working in Canada while you wait for
your PR application to be finalized. You can only apply after you received an Acknowledgement of
Receipt letter or e-mail from CIC (meaning you received a positive eligibility assessment on your
application). See http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/temp/work/prov/bridging.asp.

International Student Development 1783 West Mall Phone: 604.822.5021

www.students.ubc.ca/international Updated Sept. 1, 2015 Page 3 of 5

British Columbia Provincial Nominee Programs (BC PNP)

Provincial Nominee Programs are regional programs they allow provinces and territories to nominate
individuals to the federal government for PR. You must intend to live in the province where you are nominated.
Provinces typically have multiple PNP categories; some are specifically for international students (but often
require a degree from an educational institution in their province). You may qualify for a PNP outside of BC.
For a complete list of programs, see http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/provincial/apply-who.asp.
The two categories below are specifically designed for international students who want to live in British
Columbia. However, you may quality for other BC Provincial Nominee Program categories, such as the general
BC PNP Skilled Workers category or the Entry-Level or Semi-Skilled Worker Program category. See
http://www.welcomebc.ca/Immigrate/About-the-BC-PNP/Skills-Immigration.aspx.
Most students who apply through a PNP (1) apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) within 90 days of
completing their program at UBC, (2) apply for PNP as soon as they qualify, then (3) use the PGWP to work in
Canada while waiting for their application to be processed. You can only apply for one PGWP in your lifetime.
If you are nominated by the BC PNP but your authorization to work in Canada (e.g. your post-graduation work
permit) will expire within four months, you may be eligible to apply request a work permit support letter from
BC PNP. You can then use this letter to apply for a bridging open work permit from CIC. This will allow you
to maintain legal temporary resident status and continue working in Canada while you wait for your PR
application to be finalized. You can only apply after you are nominated. See
http://www.welcomebc.ca/Immigrate/About-the-BC-PNP/Skills-Immigration/How-To-Apply/Work-permitsupport.aspx.
As of January 2015, there are two different ways to apply for both the BC PNP International Graduate (IG)
and International Post Graduate (IPG) categories: through Skills Immigration or through Express Entry BC. As
of September 1, 2015, both categories via both application procedures are temporarily paused. The BC
PNP will reopen the Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC categories in early 2016 with a new pointsbased intake system. The information below is provided for your information only. See
http://www.welcomebc.ca/Immigrate/About-the-BC-PNP/The-BC-PNP-Introduction/About-the-BC-PNP/Newsand-Announcements.aspx
(1) Skills Immigration (PAUSED UNTIL 2016): This is a two-step process. Language test results are
not required (unless you are applying to the International Graduate category with a NOC level C or
D job). You first submit an application to the BC PNP office in Vancouver. If approved, the province
gives you a nomination certificate. You then have six months to submit your application (with the
nomination certificate) to the federal government. Processing times are longer for this option, and
applications are subject to quota limits and an internal prioritization process by the BC PNP office.
(2) Express Entry BC (PAUSED UNTIL 2016): Some applicants can use Express Entry to apply for BC
PNP. Posted processing times are shorter, but you can only apply if you also meet the minimum
criteria for one of three eligible federal economic immigration programs: Federal Skilled Worker
Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, or the Canadian Experience Class.
This is a three-step process. Language test results are required. First, fill out a free Express Entry
online profile indicating your language test scores, Educational Credential Assessment (if you
require one), work experience, and intention to settle in BC. If you qualify, you will receive unique
codes (such as an Express Entry Profile code and, if applicable, a Job Seeker Validation Code).
You then submit a BC PNP application (indicating the Express Entry codes) to the BC PNP office in
Vancouver. If approved, the province gives you a nomination certificate. You then have six months
to submit your application (with the nomination certificate) to the federal government. See
http://www.welcomebc.ca/Immigrate/About-the-BC-PNP/Express-Entry-British-Columbia.aspx

International Student Development 1783 West Mall Phone: 604.822.5021

www.students.ubc.ca/international Updated Sept. 1, 2015 Page 4 of 5

BC PNP International Post Graduate Category (IPG) PAUSED until 2016

http://www.welcomebc.ca/Immigrate/About-the-BC-PNP/Express-Entry-British-Columbia/Express-Entry-British-Columbia-International-Post.aspx

Education required:

Must apply within 2 years of completing a masters or

doctoral degree in natural, applied, or health sciences from a
post-secondary institution in BC. The BC PNP website lists
the following programs as defined by BC PNP (not UBC):
agriculture
biological and biomedical sciences
computer and information sciences and support
services
engineering
engineering technology
health professions and related clinical sciences
mathematics and statistics
natural resources conservation and research
physical sciences
Further details regarding the classification of these programs
of study can be found on Statistics Canadas Classification of
Instructional Programs website: http://stds.statcan.gc.ca/cipcpe/2digit-2chiffres-eng.asp

Work experience required:

NOC skill level required:
Current posted processing time (if
processed within Canada):

(To quality for Express Entry BC pathway, 1 year of

skilled work experience required)
None required

See http://www.welcomebc.ca/Immigrate/About-the-BCPNP/About-the-BC-PNP/Processing-Times.aspx

BC PNP International Graduate Category (IG) PAUSED until 2016

http://www.welcomebc.ca/Immigrate/About-the-BC-PNP/Express-Entry-British-Columbia/Express-Entry-British-Columbia-International-Gradu.aspx

Education required:

Must apply within 2 years of completing a degree, diploma,

or certificate from a recognized post-secondary institution in
Canada

Work experience required:

A job offer from an eligible employer established in BC for an

indeterminate (i.e. permanent) full-time position (To quality
for Express Entry BC pathway, 1 year of skilled work
experience required)
0, A, or B

NOC skill level required:

Current posted processing time (if
processed within Canada):

See http://www.welcomebc.ca/Immigrate/About-the-BCPNP/About-the-BC-PNP/Processing-Times.aspx
International Student Development 1783 West Mall Phone: 604.822.5021
www.students.ubc.ca/international Updated Sept. 1, 2015 Page 5 of 5