Canada’s Provinces Open Doors to International Graduates for Permanent Residency in 2025

Eight provinces currently offer targeted immigration streams for international student graduates

Canada continues to provide numerous immigration opportunities for international graduates looking to transition to permanent residency (PR). Through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), eight provinces across the country currently offer student-specific pathways, making it easier for foreign nationals who have completed post-secondary studies to establish long-term roots in the country.

This article explores each province’s unique graduate streams, outlines key eligibility criteria, and provides insight into how international students can pursue PR through these provincial channels.

Overview: Provinces with Dedicated PR Streams for International Graduates

A growing number of Canadian provinces offer immigration options specifically tailored for graduates. These streams are designed to retain skilled talent trained in Canada, while supporting regional economic needs.

Below is a summary of the provinces with active streams for international graduates, including whether a job offer or an Expression of Interest (EOI) is required.

Province	Stream	Job Offer Required?	EOI Required?
Alberta	Graduate Entrepreneur, Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur	No	Yes
Manitoba	Career Employment, Graduate Internship, Student Entrepreneur	Varies	Yes
New Brunswick	Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program	Yes	Yes
Newfoundland & Labrador	International Graduate, Graduate Entrepreneur (Start/Purchase)	Varies	Yes
Nova Scotia	International Graduates in Demand, Graduate Entrepreneur	Varies	Yes/No
Ontario	Employer Job Offer: International Student, Master’s, PhD	Varies	Yes
Prince Edward Island	International Graduates	Yes	Yes
Saskatchewan	Worker with Saskatchewan Work Experience – Student Sub-category	Yes	No

Alberta: Fostering Graduate Entrepreneurship

Streams Available:

• Graduate Entrepreneur Stream: Open to international students who graduated in Alberta and wish to start or acquire a business with at least 34% ownership.
• Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream: Targets graduates from outside Canada wanting to launch a business in Alberta with ownership ranging from 34% to 51% depending on location.

Key Requirements:

• No job offer required, but an EOI is.
• Language proficiency: CLB 7 (Graduate Entrepreneur), CLB 5 (Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur).
• PGWP is required for the Graduate Entrepreneur Stream.

Minimum investment ($50K–$100K) and business ties to one of nine eligible sectors.

Manitoba: Multiple Pathways for Skilled and Entrepreneurial Graduates

Streams Available:

• Career Employment Pathway (job offer required).
• Graduate Internship Pathway (non-job offer).
• International Student Entrepreneur Pilot (non-job offer).

Key Requirements:

• CLB 7 in all streams.
• At least six months of residency in Manitoba post-graduation for entrepreneurship streams.
• Internship completion for Graduate Internship Pathway.
• 51% business ownership for entrepreneurs.

New Brunswick: A Pilot Program with a Deadline

Stream:

• Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program
  

Highlights:

• Designed for graduates from Eastern or Oulton College.
• Job offer required from a New Brunswick employer in a priority occupation.
• PGWP not required but study/work permits are.
• The stream is closing in Fall 2025.

Newfoundland and Labrador: Business and Employment Opportunities

Streams Available:

• International Graduate Category (job offer required).
• International Graduate Entrepreneur – Start/Purchase a Business (no job offer).
  

Requirements Summary:

• PGWP required for all streams.
• TEER 0–3 or in-demand TEER 4 occupations are eligible.
• Entrepreneurs must hold 33.3% ownership and create at least one job.
• Graduate must have studied at Memorial University or College of the North Atlantic.

Nova Scotia: Demand-Based and Business-Oriented Options

Streams Available:

• International Graduates in Demand Stream
• International Graduate Entrepreneur
  

Key Details:

• Targeted NOC codes include healthcare and early childhood education roles.
• Entrepreneurs must have 33.3% ownership in a business operated for one year.
• PGWP is required for entrepreneurs; not mandatory for the demand stream.

Ontario: Academic Excellence Meets Employment

Streams Available:

• Employer Job Offer: International Student
• Master’s Graduate Stream
• PhD Graduate Stream
  

Core Requirements:

• CLB 7 for Master’s stream; no specific language test for other streams.
• Master’s and PhD graduates must apply within two years of program completion.
• Employer requirements include size and revenue thresholds.

No job offer required for Master’s and PhD streams.

Prince Edward Island: Job-Focused Graduate Stream

Stream:

• International Graduates Stream

Stream Conditions:

• Open to graduates with job offers in any TEER category.
• CLB 4 or higher (TEER 4/5 occupations).
• PEI prioritizes healthcare, trades, and childcare.

Saskatchewan: Retaining Local Graduates

Stream:

• Worker with Saskatchewan Work Experience – Student Sub-category
  

Details:

• Six months of work experience required.
• Job must be in TEER 0–3 or a designated trade.
• PGWP or Open Work Permit (CUAET) required.

Discontinued and Absent Streams

British Columbia: Formerly offered streams for international graduates, but discontinued them in 2024. Planned replacements have been delayed due to reduced federal nomination allocations.

Yukon & Northwest Territories: No active international graduate-specific streams at this time.

Understanding the PR Process Through PNP

Applicants aiming for permanent residency via a PNP stream must apply at two stages:

1. Provincial Nomination:
   
   • If an EOI is required, candidates must first join the pool and receive an invitation.
     
   • Non-EOI streams allow direct application to the provincial authority.
     
2. Federal PR Application:
   
   • Once nominated, applicants must apply for permanent residency through IRCC.
     

Processing Timeline:

As of now, PNP base application processing through IRCC can take up to 21 months.

Final Thoughts

Canada continues to recognize international graduates’ value to its economy and communities. By offering diverse and accessible pathways across its provinces, Canada offers international students significant opportunities to transition to permanent residence status. However, eligibility criteria, program duration, and job offer requirements vary widely, so careful planning and timely applications are essential.