Permanent Residency Pathways for International Graduates in Canada in 2025
Are you an international student who recently graduated from any Canadian institution? If you are one and looking for a PR status in Canada, then this update is for you. Many Canadian provinces are offering immigration pathways to students. These pathways are specifically designed to help international graduates become permanent residents.
These Provincial Nominee Program streams make it easier for foreign nationals to settle permanently in the province where they studied. Their main focus is to cut down the labour shortage and use the skills of international graduates effectively.
In 2025, eight Canadian provinces have active immigration streams dedicated to international graduates. Read till the end, to find out about those Provinces.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Provinces Offering PR Pathways for International Graduates
- Summary of Requirements by Province
- Detailed Provincial Breakdown
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Provinces Offering PR Pathways
The following provinces currently offer PNP streams for international student graduates:
| Province | Stream Name | Job Offer Required? | EOI Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | Graduate Entrepreneur Stream | No | Yes |
| Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream | No | Yes | |
| Manitoba | Career Employment Pathway | Yes | Yes |
| Graduate Internship Pathway | No | Yes | |
| International Student Entrepreneur Pilot | No | Yes | |
| New Brunswick | Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program | Yes | Yes |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | International Graduate Category | Yes | Yes |
| International Graduate Entrepreneur (Start or Buy) | No | Yes | |
| Nova Scotia | International Graduates in Demand | Yes | No |
| International Graduate Entrepreneur | No | Yes | |
| Ontario | Employer Job Offer: International Student | Yes | Yes |
| Master’s Graduate Stream | No | Yes | |
| PhD Graduate Stream | No | Yes | |
| Prince Edward Island | International Graduates | Yes | Yes |
| Saskatchewan | Workers with SK Experience: Student Sub-category | Yes | No |
Eligibility Requirements for International Graduates
General Eligibility Criteria for Students:
- Candidates must graduate from a recognized Canadian post-secondary institution. It’s best to have graduated from the same Province, from where you desire to be a PR.
- Interested candidates must show intent to stay in the province.
- In many cases, a valid job offer or prior work experience is required for PR.
- Language proficiency (CLB 5 to 7 depending on the program) certificate.
- For some programs, candidates need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and receive an invitation from employers in the Province.
Detailed Breakdown of PR Pathways
Alberta: Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)
- Streams: Graduate Entrepreneur, Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur
- No job offer needed
- EOI required
- Business ownership of at least 34%
- CLB 5 to 7 in language proficiency
- For Foreign Graduate: Letter of recommendation and minimum investment ($100K urban / $50K rural)
Manitoba: Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
Career Employment Pathway
- Job offer required
- CLB 7 minimum
- Job must be in-demand and related to your studies
Graduate Internship Pathway
- Master’s or PhD graduates with internship experience (Mitacs)
- No job offer required
- Must live in Manitoba and have settlement funds
International Student Entrepreneur Pilot
- Business ownership of 51% required
- Must have lived in Manitoba since graduation
- Aged 21 to 35
- CLB 7 minimum
New Brunswick
Program: Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program
- Stream: 1
- For graduates from designated private career colleges in NB
- Must have a full-time job offer
Requirements:
- CLB 5 minimum
- Job in a priority occupation
- Must have completed an eligible 1-year diploma
- Settlement funds needed
Newfoundland and Labrador
Program: Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program
- Number of Streams: 3
1. International Graduate Category
- For graduates with a job offer
2. Graduate Entrepreneur – Start a Business
- No job offer needed
- For those who want to launch a business
3. Graduate Entrepreneur – Buy a Business
- No job offer needed
- For those purchasing a business in the province
Quick Look:
| Stream | Job Offer | EOI | Language | Ownership | Other Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Category | Yes | Yes | CLB 5 | N/A | PGWP, job in NOC TEER 0–4 |
| Start a Business | No | Yes | CLB 7 | 33.3% | NL grad, active management |
| Buy a Business | No | Yes | CLB 7 | 33.3% | Business continuity, NL grad |
Nova Scotia
Program: Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
- Number of Streams: 2
1. International Graduates in Demand Stream
- Job offer required
- Focused on healthcare and tech occupations
2. International Graduate Entrepreneur
- No job offer
- For graduates who have started a business
Quick Look:
| Stream | Job Offer | EOI | Language | Ownership | Other Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduates in Demand | Yes | No | CLB 5 | N/A | In-demand field |
| Graduate Entrepreneur | No | Yes | CLB 7 | 100% | 1-year business ops |
Ontario
Program: Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
- Number of Streams: 3
1. Employer Job Offer: International Student
- Job offer required
2. Master’s Graduate Stream
- No job offer
3. PhD Graduate Stream
- No job offer
Quick Look:
| Stream | Job Offer | EOI | Language | Education | Other Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employer Job Offer | Yes | Yes | CLB 7 | Ontario diploma | Full-time, permanent job |
| Master’s Graduate | No | Yes | CLB 7 | Master’s from Ontario | Lived in Ontario last 12 months |
| PhD Graduate | No | Yes | CLB 7 | PhD from Ontario | At least 2 years completed |
Prince Edward Island
Program: PEI PNP – International Graduate Stream
- Requires full-time job offer in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3
- Graduate from a publicly funded PEI institution
Requirements:
- CLB 4 minimum
- Must have legal status
- Job must align with studies
- Settlement funds
Saskatchewan
Program: Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
Stream: Student Sub-Category under Workers with Saskatchewan Work Experience
- Requires full-time job offer from a Saskatchewan employer
- Must have graduated from an eligible institution in Canada
Requirements:
- CLB 4 minimum
- Must have worked for at least 6 months in Saskatchewan
- PGWP required
Conclusion
As Canada continues to support international graduates through the various immigration streams in 2025, whether you want to work and start a business, various provinces offer various programs for international graduates. These streams help students to grow and support the Canadian economy by joining the workforce.
6. FAQs
Q1. Do all PNP graduate streams require a job offer?
Ans: No, the job offer isn't mandatory in all streams. Some streams require an Expression of Interest (EOI). It's based on the stream and what the province has asked from graduates.
Q2. Can I apply to a province where I didn’t study?
Ans: Usually no. Most streams require you to have graduated from an institution in the same province.
Q3. Is a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) always required?
Ans: Not always, but many streams expect you to have valid legal status in Canada and some relevant work experience.
Q4. Are these streams linked to Express Entry?
Ans: No, These graduate-specific PNP streams are not linked to Express Entry. But in some provinces they are linked with PNPs.
To search and compare programs in top universities in the UK and Canada, including popular courses, scholarships, and admission requirements, please click the following link: www.educationplanner.io/programs.
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