Can I Apply for PR After 1 Year of Study in Canada?

Many who recognize fundamental qualities in life want to keep them. It’s the same with studying in Canada.

International students inquire about permanent residency long before they finish their studies, considering a quality educational system and career opportunities. If your path led you here, you'll want to know more about it.

Attending specific immigration programs can bring you one step closer to permanent residency. This is preceded by an application process and fulfilling requirements, which makes everything easier with BorderPass.  

Let's see what awaits you on the way.

Why Apply for Permanent Residence (PR) in Canada?

Planning for long-term residency is more than preparing the necessary documents. Immigrating to Canada has always been an excellent opportunity for those who want a better life and are eager to expand their horizons and acquire new skills.

As a permanent resident of Canada, you will enjoy high-quality health care and education, social security, work rights, family sponsorship, mobility rights, and a high quality of life.

The expanding Canadian economy enables plenty of job opportunities across diverse industries. With emphasis on boosting immigration, it's clear that Canada is more committed than ever to offering a hospitable environment for newcomers.

Can I Apply for PR After 1 Year of Study in Canada?

You can apply for Canadian PR after completing one year of study, as there are immigration programs that fast-track the process and enable the express entry system.

An important note regarding the work permit. If your program lasted at least eight months but less than two years, your PGWP will be valid for the same period as your study program. So, the work permit after one year of study in Canada will be valid for one year.

Let's see what other important things you should consider concerning PR in Canada.

How to Get Permanent Residence for International Students

Planning a life in Canada with all its advantages draws you most towards permanent residence. But how to get permanent residency if you are an international student?

If you're thinking a lot about this, we assume you've set high goals for your life. You want to gain as much knowledge while pursuing higher education as possible that you will apply in the future. Fortunately, there are many immigration programs available that allow you to fast-track your process to permanent residency after graduation.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

If you want the fastest way to get permanent residency in Canada, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Program is just that. Meeting the eligibility criteria for inclusion in this program is essential, including age, language skills, and education level, but the most critical requirement is at least 12 months of continuous work in the last three years or an equivalent amount of part-time work experience.

However, 12 months of work during studies is not a requirement, but you can always apply for a work permit after graduation and be eligible for CEC.

Federal Skilled Worker Program

Unlike the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW) does not require work experience gained exclusively in Canada; instead, you must have at least 12 months of work or an equivalent amount of part-time work experience in any country.

The specificity of the FSW is a scoring system based on the comprehensive ranking system (CRS) that automatically ranks candidates, and only the most competitive have the opportunity to apply for permanent residence.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Canada's provinces and territories have their own immigration programs known as Provincial Nomination Programs (PNPs) which differ by characteristics according to the province.

International students who already live or have completed their previous studies in a particular province may have an advantage in enrolling in PNP, but of course, Canada welcomes qualified students from all over the world to help strengthen its market.

Canada's 2024-2026 immigration level plan aims to admit 110,000 new permanent residents through the PNP program, which, you will agree, is a huge undertaking. 

Quebec Immigration Options

Quebec is the only province in Canada where you can study in French. That is why its immigration programs are separate from those of other provinces; it is given greater autonomy in immigration policies.

Qualifying for immigration programs includes both selection and admission requirements. You must obtain approval from the province of Quebec by complying with the immigration policy in this way. 

To be more transparent, consulting with immigration experts and consultants may be a good option, but you can always refer to BorderPass for detailed information about the regulations and the entire application process.

How to Apply for PR in Canada

One of the primary options international students often contemplate when studying in Canada is applying for permanent residence, which enables them to reside and work permanently, offering many advantages. 

You must apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP), qualifying you to work for up to three years. Besides, at least one year of skilled work experience is required for the permanent residence (PR) application process.

What's great about this is that if you complete a one-year study program in eight months, you can get a PGWP that is valid for one year.

Eligibility for PR After Study

Assessing eligibility for PR and obtaining the necessary qualifications is a part of the application process for PR after study. 

The main eligibility criteria are:

• You must meet academic qualifications, such as studying at a Canadian educational institution
• You must have a valid study permit to apply for a work permit
• You must pass an English or French language as a part of demonstrating language proficiency
• After graduation, you must acquire at least one year of qualified work experience in Canada

Documents Required for Applying

There are documents international students must provide when applying. 

The following documents are required:

• A permanent residence card (PR card) is a document that shows your photo, personal data, and expiration date (expires every five years). This is very important when re-entering Canada from another country
• Landing record or certificate of permanent resident (IMM 5292 or IMM 5688), a document that proves the entry date into Canada, the immigration category, and the visa office that processed your application
• Provincial Health Card
• Proof of funds
• Use of a Representative form (PDF, 137 KB)
• Language test results

For all of the segments of the application process, there are certain periods to process and costs to consider.

Processing Time and Cost

The processing duration for a student's application depends on their country of residence, the application type, and the number of applicants in the same category being processed.

Typically, the processing time for a Canada PR visa ranges from six to eight months. 

It's crucial to be aware of the specific program you applied to. For example, applications under the CEC program are typically processed within three to four months.

As for the price, the processing fee is $850, and the right of permanent residence fee is $515. You should pay for the right to permanent residence before you get permanent residence, and it would be better to pay sooner so that the procedure can be completed as quickly as possible.

Work Permits and Transitioning to PR

You will want to get a work permit to gain valuable experience, especially if you become a permanent resident. Fortunately, employment opportunities in Canada abound. 

Still, there are work experience requirements, first of all, having a work permit.

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

As a part of long-term planning for life in Canada, we can say that open work permit after PGWP is one of them. After graduating from a Canadian institution, it's followed by acquiring work experience and securing a post-graduation work permit.

To be eligible for a PGWP, you must have graduated from a designated learning institution (DLI), but note that this alone does not strictly qualify you for a PGVP. It can be valid for up to three years unless you have completed a master's program; then, the length of your permit will depend on the length of the study program

Switching to Work Permit Before Completing Studies

You can apply for a work permit even before you finish your studies, so you don't have to wait to receive your diploma physically.

After your DLI issues the final grades, you’ll have 180 days to apply for a work permit.

Key Takeaways

• You can apply for Canada PR after pursuing a one-year study program in Canada
• There are a few immigration programs that allow you to fasten your process to permanent residency after graduation.
• To apply for a PR in Canada, you must meet specific eligibility criteria
• You must submit the required legal documentation and go through documentation verification

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Apply for PR While Studying in Canada?

You can apply for PR while studying in Canada if you meet the requirements of the Canadian immigration program you applied for.

Is It Easy to Get PR in Canada After Study?

It can be easy given the several immigration routes to Canadian PR for international students. One is the possibility of choosing a suitable program that will enable them to get a job.

What is Canada's Stay-Back Period Offered to International Students?

With a post-study work permit, you may stay back in Canada for up to 3 years, depending on the course duration.