If you’re an international student studying abroad in Canada, or planning to become one, you may be thinking about immigrating to Canada after your studies. After all, Canada is a great study destination, but it’s also a wonderful, multicultural place to live and work. To kick off our Canadian Immigration Pathways series, let’s explore the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and how it can help you immigrate to Canada after your studies end.
Haven’t begun your study abroad journey yet? Start with our guide on how to choose where to study in Canada!
What is the Provincial Nominee Program?
The process of immigrating to Canada is handled by the federal government through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). To settle in Canada permanently, you’ll apply through the IRCC—in many cases, online through the Express Entry system.
So, what do the Canadian provinces and territories have to do with this process? Provincial governments can nominate people who have studied and worked in their province, making it much faster and easier for them to qualify for Express Entry or another immigration program.
To qualify for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), you must:
- Have the skills, education, and experience to contribute to the economy of a specific province or territory.
- Plan to live in that province.
- Want to become a permanent resident of Canada.
If you’ve graduated from (or will graduate from) a Canadian educational institution, you’re already likely to be a great PNP candidate for the province you studied in. If you worked in that province while studying, or worked for a year or more after studying by holding a post-graduation work permit (PGWP), even better!
Usually, you’ll need an invitation from the province to apply for Express Entry streams, but you can set yourself up to receive one by:
- Applying for a PGWP, then staying in the province where you graduated from a post-secondary institution.
- Working in your field for a year or more.
- Participating in the community and contributing to the local economy.
A PGWP is important, since it allows you to stay in Canada even after your studies end. Learn more about applying for a PGWP in our blog!
Wading Through the Streams
Each province and territory, except for Quebec and Nunavut, has its own PNP programs and pathways for certain target groups. These are known as “streams.”
Quebec has its own unique system. If you’re studying there, click here to read about the Quebec Experience Program instead.
With over 80 different streams available, understanding exactly which PNP stream to apply to is important! It’ll determine certain details, including where to get more information and how to apply. To start you off, we’ve provided a brief look at each province’s immigration program and available streams below.
Note: No matter which stream you choose, you’ll need to pass a medical exam and get a police (criminal record) check.
Alberta
Want to live among stunning mountain peaks and glaciers—with a surprisingly affordable cost of living? The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program offers several immigration stream options for both workers and entrepreneurs.
- International graduates may be invited by the province to apply to the Alberta Express Entry stream.
- If you have an eligible full-time job offer from an Alberta employer, look into the Alberta Opportunity stream.
- If you graduated from a post-secondary institution in Alberta and plan to start or buy a business, check out the Graduate Entrepreneur stream.
British Columbia (B.C.)
For those who want to work on Canada’s gorgeous west coast, the BC Provincial Nominee Program is focused on helping meet B.C.’s labour market needs. There are three streams to choose from, all of which may be suited to international graduates.
- The Skills Immigration stream provides priority PNP access to certain workers with a permanent job offer, especially health care workers and early childhood educators (ECEs).
- Otherwise, the Express Entry British Columbia stream is the best option for graduates from post-secondary institutes in B.C.
- Alternatively, if you’re planning to run a business, Entrepreneur Immigration may be worth considering.
Heading to a rural area? Read more about Canada’s Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot as well!
Manitoba
For those who want a high quality of life at a low cost, Manitoba is the place to be. The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program currently offers five stream options, but the following are the most relevant for recent graduates.
- Most international graduates of a Manitoba post-secondary institution will want to pursue the International Education stream.
- Or, for qualified skilled workers who “can demonstrate a strong connection” to Manitoba, consider the Skilled Worker Overseas stream.
New Brunswick
If you love camping, lush forests, and seafood, check out the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program!
- The Skilled Worker stream requires that you have an offer of employment from a New Brunswick Employer, and intend to live and work in the province permanently.
Newfoundland and Labrador
The island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador offer natural beauty and a friendly sense of community. The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program provides multiple avenues to immigrate.
- The International Graduate Category is for recent graduates with both a Post-Graduate Work Permit and a local job or job offer.
- Certain jobs will also qualify you for the Skilled Worker Express Entry Category, which speeds up the process.
For any of the Maritime provinces (New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, or PEI), be sure to read about the Atlantic Immigration Program as well!
Northwest Territories
If the north’s spectacular natural parks and beautiful auroras are calling your name, apply to the Northwest Territories Nominee Program!
- The Employer-Driven stream is focused on skilled workers with job offers, and includes an Express Entry option.
Nova Scotia
The Nova Scotia Nominee Program offers nine full streams, providing plenty of opportunities to live on the magnificent east coast. There are two streams designed for international graduates.
- The International Graduates in Demand stream is specifically for recent graduates with in-demand skills and education—at the time of publishing, this includes nurse aides and early childhood educators.
- If you’re a graduate of a Nova Scotia university who has operated a Nova Scotia business for at least a year, you may be invited to apply to the International Graduate Entrepreneur stream.
Ontario
As Canada’s most populous province, and home to over forty post-secondary institutions, Ontario is an in-demand immigration destination. Thankfully, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) offers nine streams to pick from. To qualify for any of them, you must register an expression of interest, then receive an invitation to apply.
- Recent graduates with a job offer should apply to the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream.
- For graduates with a masters or PhD degree from an Ontario university, apply to the Masters Graduate or PhD Graduate streams.
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island (PEI) may be small, but it’s famous for its community, agriculture, outdoor exploration, and growing tourism industry. PEI is actively seeking to grow its population through immigration, making the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program an attractive option.
- The International Graduate stream is perfect for graduates from accredited PEI post-secondary institutions who’ve been hired by a PEI employer.
Saskatchewan
Offering tons of job opportunities and an ever-growing population, Saskatchewan is an ideal destination for international graduates! The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program simplifies the immigration process for anyone with in-demand skills.
- For skilled workers with a job offer in Saskatchewan, check out the streams under the International Skilled Worker Category.
- If you graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution and have worked in Saskatchewan for at least six months, the Students stream under the Saskatchewan Experience Category is for you.
- Or, if you plan to start a business after graduating from a Saskatchewan institution, try the International Graduate Entrepreneur Category.
Note: If you live in Saskatchewan after graduating from a Saskatchewan post-secondary institution, you may be eligible for tax rebates from the province’s Graduate Retention Program!
Yukon
The Yukon is a dream destination for lovers of wildlife and pristine glaciers. If you plan to live there, the Yukon Nominee Program is the way to go.
- Skilled workers with a permanent, full-time job offer can apply for the Yukon Express Entry or Skilled Worker streams.
Still with us? There’s lots of information, and we’ve only just scratched the surface. With so many Provincial Nominee Program options, Canada is a diverse and welcoming place to study, work, and live.
For the latest information on the Provincial Nominee Program, always check the official Government of Canada website, as well as the website for the specific province you plan to apply to. Best of luck!
Just starting your study abroad journey? Way to plan ahead! We can answer all your questions and guide you through the full registration process. Register for free with ApplyBoard!
