Foreign Students Encouraged to Explore Provincial Nominee Programs in 2025

In a major development for international students in Canada, eight provinces are now actively offering open and tailored immigration streams to help recent graduates transition to Canadian permanent residence (PR). These programs are part of each province's Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and are specifically designed for those who’ve completed their education in Canada and wish to settle permanently.

This move makes it significantly easier for international graduates to obtain permanent residence in Canada, especially for those targeting long-term settlement, job security, and career growth. The news comes as a breath of fresh air for thousands who are looking for smoother, faster immigration routes.

Let’s take a closer look at where and how international students can apply.

Provinces With Active PR Pathways for International Graduates

These provinces currently have open streams under their PNPs tailored for international students who want to obtain permanent residence in Canada:

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 and Labrador International Graduate Category Yes Yes
  Int’l Graduate Entrepreneur (New & Existing Businesses) No Yes
Nova Scotia International Graduates in Demand Yes No
  International Graduate Entrepreneur No Yes
Ontario Employer Job Offer: Int’l Student Stream Yes Yes
  Master’s Graduate Stream No Yes
  PhD Graduate Stream No Yes
Prince Edward Island International Graduates Yes Yes
Saskatchewan Worker with Work Experience – Student Sub-category Yes No

Each of these streams requires applicants to prove genuine intent to reside in the province and meet basic requirements like settlement funds, language proficiency, and sometimes job offers.

How to Get PR in Canada Through a PNP as an International Graduate

To qualify for a Canada PR pathway for international students, you typically need:

  1. A degree or diploma from a recognized Canadian post-secondary institution (usually from the province where you're applying)
  2. Language test results meeting minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels
  3. Sufficient settlement funds
  4. A valid Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
  5. In many cases, a job offer from an employer within the province
  6. For some programs, Expression of Interest (EOI) profile creation is required

Important: Not all streams require a job offer, and several allow applications without prior Canadian work experience. This opens doors for recent grads without employment yet.

Let’s Break It Down by Province

Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)

Streams: 2

Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

  1. For Alberta-educated graduates wanting to start or buy a business (minimum 34% ownership)
  2. Requires CLB 7 and a PGWP
  3. No job offer required

Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

  1. For international grads (outside Canada), launching a business in Alberta
  2. Minimum investment: $100K urban, $50K rural
  3. CLB 5 minimum, EOI, and a letter of recommendation required

Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)

Streams: 3

Career Employment Pathway

  1. For post-secondary grads from Manitoba with a full-time job offer in high-demand occupations
  2. Must meet CLB and settlement fund requirements

Graduate Internship Pathway

  1. Designed for master’s/PhD graduates with completed Mitacs internships

International Student Entrepreneur Pilot

  1. For graduates wanting to open a business
  2. No job offer or PGWP needed

 Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

Streams: 3

Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream

  1. Requires a valid job offer and a completed program from an eligible school in Ontario

Master’s Graduate Stream

  1. For Ontario master’s degree holders
  2. No job offer needed
  3. Must show intent to stay in Ontario

PhD Graduate Stream

  1. For graduates of Ontario doctoral programs
  2. Open to applicants without a job offer

Other Provinces

New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, and Prince Edward Island also offer province-specific PR streams for foreign grads.

Each province has its unique criteria but shares the common goal: retaining skilled and educated international talent.

Why International Students Should Act Now

If you're an international student aiming for permanent residence in Canada, now is the time to act. Here’s why:

  1. Targeted pathways increase your chance of success
  2. Many streams are job-offer free
  3. Focus on keeping talent educated in Canada
  4. Shorter processing and province-based support
  5. You only need a provincial nomination to unlock PR via non-Express Entry streams

Pro Tips to Strengthen Your Application

  1. Build a strong EOI profile: Include accurate education, work experience, and language results
  2. Secure settlement funds early
  3. Gain relevant local work experience, even part-time
  4. Highlight your ties to the province
  5. Stay updated on provincial draws and news

Final Word

With several provinces now actively supporting international graduates through dedicated PNP streams, the opportunity to secure permanent residence in Canada has never been more attainable. Whether you're starting a business, working locally, or completing your master’s degree, these pathways are tailored for your success.

So, do you qualify for one of these open PR pathways for international graduates? Start your application today—your future in Canada might be just one nomination away!