New PR Options for International Students in Canada

By Visa Jobs CanadaSeptember 16, 2025September 16, 2025International Students & GraduatesCanadian immigration, international education, PR opportunities, visa sponsorship, work permits

Canada Opens New Pathways for International Education Graduates

Diploma programs below the bachelor’s level are now eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
Graduates with at least one year of Canadian work experience can qualify for permanent residence through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Education professionals enjoy advantages in Express Entry, with category-based draws featuring lower cut-offs around 479 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points.
Students in non-bachelor’s programs need to achieve at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in English or French to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
Early Childhood Educators and Assistants receive direct attention in Canada’s education-focused immigration draws.

Study in Education, Work in Canada, and Transition to Permanent Residency

Canada’s recent immigration updates present a fantastic opportunity for international students pursuing education. With a clear pathway from temporary studies to permanent residency, you can take definitive steps towards your new life in Canada.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Study Program

To begin, you’ll need to enrol in a PGWP-eligible program at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). Thankfully, even diploma programs below the bachelor’s level, like Early Childhood Education, now qualify. If your goal is to work in a regulated profession, such as Early Childhood Education in Ontario, make sure to register with the provincial authority for legal employment and to boost your eligibility for Express Entry.

Step 2: Applying for a PGWP

Once you graduate, you can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which can last up to three years, depending on the length of your program. Since June 2025, education has been added as a valid field of study for the PGWP. Don’t forget that language requirements apply; you’ll need a CLB 5 for college programs and a CLB 7 for university-level courses. The PGWP grants you open work rights, allowing you to gain valuable Canadian work experience essential for immigration.

Step 3: Pursuing Permanent Residence

After accumulating at least one year of Canadian work experience, you can apply for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). This pathway helps you earn extra points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Education professionals have a unique advantage in Express Entry, thanks to category-based draws with lower cut-off scores. Recent draws for education professionals saw CRS cut-offs as low as 479, compared to 534 in general CEC draws.

For example, consider a graduate named Taima, who has completed Early Childhood Education with strong language skills and relevant Canadian work experience. With her qualifications, Taima can achieve competitive CRS scores to secure an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Plus, she can apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit to maintain her legal status while her PR application is processed.

The Advantage of Lower CRS Scores for Education Graduates

One of the most significant updates for international students in education is the new advantage in Express Entry draws. Education professionals are now included in Canada’s category-based selection process, meaning candidates in this field don’t need as high a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Recent education-specific draws show cut-offs around 479 CRS points, significantly lower than the typical 534 needed in general Canadian Experience Class rounds.
This change allows education graduates with Canadian credentials and work experience to qualify for PR more quickly than many other applicants.
The combination of a PGWP, Canadian work experience, and lower CRS thresholds makes education one of the most promising pathways from study to PR.

For many international students, particularly those from India, this policy change greatly expands the opportunities for permanent settlement while addressing Canada’s ongoing demand for skilled educators.

If you’re exploring job opportunities from overseas, our website here at VisaJobsCanada.com focuses specifically on Canadian jobs that offer visa sponsorship to international applicants. With our help, you can find roles that align perfectly with your qualifications.