I get this question a lot on “Student to Citizenship” pathway for Canada so let me break it down.
When you come Study in Canada for:
- 8 months to 1 year program you get a 1 year Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) after school.
- 16 months (1yr 4 months) masters program without any scheduled breaks, you’d get a 3 year PGWP
- For 2+ years program also gets you a 3 year PGWP.
- Once you work in Canada for one year, you become eligible for Permanent Residency via the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Bearing in mind that you must meet other eligibility requirements like:
> Job belonging to the right NOC / Teer
> Having the right Language Proficiency Score
> Evalutaion of your previous degrees outside Canada
> You don't need Proof of funds for the CEC pathway
- Everything being equal and good, you should become a PR between 1 - 2 and half years of completing your education in Canada.
- Once you become a PR, you'd then need to live in Canada for at least three years (1,095 days) out of the past five years.
- Also important to note that you can become a PR midway through your studies because many folks automatically choose to study but on getting to Canada realize that based on age, work experience, language proficiency and previous education qualify for Express Entry via the Federal Skilled Workers (FSW) Pathway.
- It takes an international student an average of 8yrs to become a Canadian Citizen. Give or take. Took me 6 years & 7 months.
- Canada remains a great destination for international students looking for alternatives. If you are considering studying in Canada, it’s worth it in the end.
There's been a lot of changes happening recently with Canadian Immigration.
And there has been some miscommunication and watered-down info passed around regarding some policies.
Here are things you need to know about 🇨🇦 immigration based on recently announced policies.
For context, there are two types of post-secondary schools in Canada:
1. Universities 2. Colleges and institutes
These post-secondary schools can either be a:
1. Public 2. Private or 3. Public-Private set up.
PROVINCIAL ATTESTATION LETTERS (PAL)
A. From January 22nd, international students who will be attending post-secondary schools will now need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from a province/territory.
B. PAL should be ready and available from March 31st to students who have admissions. Provinces/Territories and post-secondary schools will determine how to allocate their PALs to international students.
C. Based on internal Memos going around in schools, PAL priority will be given based on students who have paid tuition/tuition deposits.
D. Masters or Doctoral students will not be needing PAL.
Like I always say, not everyone should, have to, or need to go to Canada. But if you want and have to, then act fast, take the necessary steps and do it the legal way.
P.S: The more you wait, the more points you lose if you are going the Express Entry pathway.
So if you are planning to, it’s a good move and just like every worthwhile endeavor, there are some processes and requirements (IELTS inclusive) that you need to plan for.