8 Canadian Provinces Offering Permanent Residency Options for International Graduates

If you are an international student in Canada or planning to study here, several provinces have special immigration programs designed just for graduates. These programs are part of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and help students become permanent residents (PR) more easily, especially if they studied in the same province.

Currently, eight provinces in Canada have at least one immigration stream dedicated to international graduates.

What Are PNP Graduate Streams?

PNP graduate streams are immigration options that allow international students to apply for permanent residency after finishing their studies. Each stream has different requirements, but most of them ask for:

• Graduation from a post-secondary program, usually in the same province
• A job offer in many cases
• Language skills and proof of settlement funds
• Intent to live and work in the province

Some streams also require applicants to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and wait for an invitation before applying.

Note: These streams are not connected to the federal Express Entry system.

Summary of Graduate Streams by Province

Key Highlights by Province

Alberta

Two entrepreneur-focused streams:

• Graduate Entrepreneur Stream: For international graduates who completed their studies in Alberta and want to start or buy a business.
• Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream: For graduates from outside Canada who want to start a business in Alberta.

No job offer is required, but EOI submission is necessary.

Manitoba

Three graduate pathways:

• Career Employment Pathway: For graduates with a full-time job offer in an in-demand occupation.
• Graduate Internship Pathway: For those who completed a Manitoba-based master's or PhD and an internship.
• Student Entrepreneur Pilot: For graduates who want to run a business in the province.

All streams require an EOI. A job offer is required for the first stream.

New Brunswick

• Private Career College Graduate Pilot: For graduates from approved private colleges in New Brunswick with full-time job offers in specific priority sectors. This program is especially helpful for those who are not eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). It will close in fall 2025.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Three options:

• International Graduate Category: Requires a job offer related to your studies.
• International Graduate Entrepreneur – New Business or Existing Business: For graduates who want to start or buy a business in the province. Must have studied at Memorial University or the College of the North Atlantic.

Entrepreneur streams do not require job offers but do need business ownership experience.

Nova Scotia

Two options:

• International Graduates in Demand Stream: For graduates with job offers in occupations such as early childhood education, nurse aide, or pharmacy technician.
• International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream: For graduates who have managed a business in Nova Scotia for at least one year.

Ontario

• Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream: For recent graduates with full-time job offers in Ontario.
• Master’s Graduate Stream and PhD Graduate Stream: For graduates with no job offer, who have completed eligible programs and lived in Ontario for at least one year in the last two years.

      EOI is required for all three streams.

Prince Edward Island

• International Graduates Stream: For graduates with job offers from PEI employers. The job can be in any TEER level but must be full-time and either permanent or at least two years long.
  
  

Saskatchewan

• Worker with Saskatchewan Work Experience – Student Sub-category: For graduates who studied in Saskatchewan, have a job offer in a skilled or designated trade, and at least six months of work experience.
  
  

What About Other Regions?

• British Columbia: Closed its international graduate streams in late 2024. New streams were expected in 2025 but are currently on hold due to fewer nomination spots.
• Northwest Territories and Yukon: These regions do not currently offer PNP streams for international graduates.
  
  

How to Apply for PR Through a PNP Stream

The application process depends on whether the stream requires an Expression of Interest (EOI).

If no EOI is required:

1. Apply to the province for a nomination.
2. If nominated, apply to the federal government (IRCC) for permanent residency.
   
   

If EOI is required:

1. Submit an EOI to the province.
2. Wait for an invitation to apply.
3. Apply to the province for a nomination.
4. If nominated, apply to IRCC for permanent residency.

At the time of writing, IRCC takes about 21 months to process most PNP base applications after submission.

Conclusion

Many provinces in Canada make it easier for international graduates to become permanent residents through dedicated PNP streams. If you have studied or are studying in Canada, these pathways can offer a clear and structured route to building your future here. Be sure to check each province’s requirements and timelines carefully before applying.