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I recently graduated as an international student in Canada. Can I apply for permanent residence?

As a recent graduate, you may qualify for the Canadian Experience Class Program. You must meet all of the following requirements.

• You studied full time for at least 16 months (that is, two academic years) in a post-secondary school located in Canada. (Note: Long-distance learning does not qualify.)
• You graduated from a Canadian post-secondary school.
• You have worked for at least 12 months within the 24 months before the date you plan to apply. You must have gained this work experience in (National Occupational Classification levels 0,A or B) a:
  • management occupation;
  • professional occupation;
  • technical occupation; or
  • skilled occupation.
• You had temporary resident status while studying or training that makes you eligible to apply under the Canadian Experience Class.
• You can communicate in English or French at the required level depending on your occupation.

You must have gained your work experience after you have graduated. You cannot include work you did under the Off-Campus Work Permit Program or Internship/Co-op Work Program. You do not have to be working when you apply.

You may also qualify for other permanent residence programs. If you would like to assess your qualifications to determine which immigration programs you may qualify under, please use this self-assessment tool.

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