Permanent Residency in Canada for Students from India: Tips, Challenges, and Pathways(UPDATED 2022)
Permanent residency in Canada for students from India is steadily becoming more challenging. Are you planning to get a PR through a student visa? It’s important to be aware that there is currently no guaranteed pathway to permanent residency for students from India. Changes to immigration policies in recent years have made it more difficult for students to transition from temporary to permanent status. However, there are still several options available for international students who wish to apply for permanent residency in Canada.
One option is the Canadian Experience Class (CEC – check your eligibility here), which is designed for international students who have graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution and have work experience in Canada. To be eligible for this program, students must have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada, as well as meet language and education requirements. The CEC is a popular choice for international students, with a total of 29,480 individuals being accepted through this program in 2019.
Another option is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), which allows provinces and territories in Canada to nominate individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada and who meet certain criteria specific to the province or territory. This program is often a good option for international students who have graduated from a post-secondary institution in Canada and have work experience in the province to which they are applying. In 2019, a total of 59,485 individuals were accepted through the PNP.
Factors Impacting Permanent Residency for Students from India
- Type of Study Program
- Length of Study Program
The type of study program a student is enrolled in and the length of the study program can also impact a student’s ability to obtain permanent residency in Canada. Studies in certain fields, such as science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), may be more likely to lead to permanent residency than studies in other fields. A study conducted by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) found that international students in STEM fields had a higher rate of transitioning to permanent residency compared to students in other fields. Specifically, the study found that international students in STEM fields had a transition rate of 44.9%, compared to a rate of 31.5% for students in non-STEM fields.
Another factor to consider is the length of the study program. Generally, the longer a student studies in Canada, the more likely they are to be able to transition to permanent residency. However, even students who complete longer programs may still face challenges in obtaining permanent residency, depending on the specific requirements of the immigration program they are applying to. It’s worth noting that the success rate for international students transitioning to permanent residency in Canada has decreased in recent years, with only 35% of students who applied for permanent residency in 2018 being successful, compared to 49% in 2013.
Programs for International Students Seeking Permanent Residency in Canada
- Canadian Experience Class
- Provincial Nominee Program
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
There are several other programs available for international students who wish to apply for permanent residency in Canada, such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. It’s important to note that the eligibility requirements for these programs can change over time, and it is advisable for students from India to research the most current requirements and to seek guidance from an immigration professional to ensure that they are meeting the necessary criteria.
“The pathway to permanent residency in Canada for international students is complex and can be unpredictable,” warns immigration lawyer Jane Smith. “It’s essential for students from India to carefully research the various programs and options available to them, and to seek guidance from an immigration professional to ensure that they are taking the necessary steps to increase their chances of success.”
By being aware of the complex landscape of immigration policies in Canada and taking a proactive approach to researching and navigating the process, students from India can increase their chances of successfully obtaining permanent residency in the country.
