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Canada recently announced new plans to help international students become permanent residents by expanding the TR to PR programs. Immigration Minister Sean Fraser unveiled a plan to increase the number of international students and foreign workers with extensive work experience for permanent residency in fields with a persistent labour shortage. The strategy would open new pathways for international graduate students with work permits to transition from temporary status to become permanent residents. While many graduate students are eager to apply for PR status and have already created an Express Entry profile to apply for permanent residence, there are many questions about the plan's actual details - or lack of details - in the plans announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
International Student TR to PR
Canada wants to admit permanent residents who have the greatest chance of successful integration into the Canadian labour market and helping Canada's labour shortage and economic recovery. According to the Canadian government:
We’re focused on helping individuals transition from temporary to permanent residence by expanding or adjusting the existing pathways for foreign nationals who want to live and work in Canada, including international student graduates.
According to IRCC's Strategy to Expand Transitions to Permanent Residency, IRCC:
is exploring strategies to diversify the source countries for Canada’s International Student Program, as well as ways to incentivize students to look beyond major urban centres when choosing a program of study.
This implies for international students who want to become permanent residents that:
- immigration programs will favour international students who studied at schools ‘beyond major urban centres’
- international graduates must be willing to work in rural and less populated areas of Canada
- immigration programs will favour international students who are from diverse 'source countries' that are not currently well represented in Canada's international student population and graduates with work permits
How Can International Students Increase Their Chance of Becoming Permanent Residents?
64% of 2021 admissions in the economic category were from post-graduate work permit holders.
International students who want to apply for a Canada work permit and international graduates who have work permits and want to become permanent residents. In order to address the labour shortage and help Canada's economic recovery, the 2022-2024 Immigration Levels Plan has set immigration levels targets at a rate of approximately 1% of Canada’s population and to welcome:
- 431,645 new permanent residents in 2022
- 447,055 in 2023
- 451,000 in 2024
Benefits for International Graduates to Consult An Immigration Lawyer
International students who have graduated from a Canadian school and want to transition to become permanent residents, despite having graduated from a Canadian school and perhaps even having a permanent employment position An experienced Canadian immigration lawyer is up to date on national and regional labour needs and immigration programs, can save you time and stress - and prevent costly mistakes and missed deadlines.
- National Immigration Programs and Labour Trends
An immigration lawyer can identify and resolve potential problems BEFORE they happen. Experienced immigration lawyers not only know the latest, most current national immigration programs and labour trends, they also know the application processing times, potential pitfalls and alternative options that may be faster or better suited to an applicant's goals. - Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Each province has unique, specific labour needs. Canada gives each Province control over the qualifications for foreign workers through their Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The PNP system allows each territorial and/or provincial government to select immigrants based on the specific economic needs of that territory or province. PNP immigration programs include:- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Saskatchewan
- The Yukon Territory
Fact: PNP can improve your Express Entry score by up to 600 points. - Pilot Immigration Programs
The new TR to PR international student plan is likely to include immigration pilots and programs that offer opportunities for temporary international students to become permanent residents.
Are You An International Student Who Wants to Become a Canadian Permanent Resident?
BOOK YOUR FREE CASE EVALUATION
Our dedicated team of highly experienced immigration lawyers and legal professionals provide immigration legal services for international students and individuals who want to move to Canada for work, education or personal reasons. We serve clients across Canada, the United States and around the globe. Immigration lawyer Evelyn Ackah, Founder and Managing Lawyer at Ackah Business Immigration Law, has practiced Canada and U.S. NAFTA immigration law for over 20 years. Ackah Law exclusively practices immigration law, helping our clients cross borders seamlessly and smoothing the way for business and personal immigration and travel.
With offices in Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver, contact Ackah Law today at (403) 452-9515 or email contact@ackahlaw.com.
