Provinces are now opening immigration programs for international students in Canada

Are you an international student in Canada and want to become a permanent resident (PR)? The good news is that many Canadian provinces now have Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) specifically for international students after graduation. These programs make it easier than ever to transition from student to permanent resident.

As of now, there are 8 provinces that are opening immigration streams specifically for international students. Join TTN immigration to discover these provinces, the approval conditions, and how to apply!

Overview of provinces that are opening settlement programs for international students

Province/Territory	Program	Job offer required	EOI required
Alberta	Graduate Entrepreneur, Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur	No	Yes
Manitoba	Career Employment Graduate Internship, Int’l Student Entrepreneur	Yes No	Yes
New Brunswick	Private Career College Graduate Pilot	Yes	Yes
Newfoundland & Labrador	International Graduate IG Entrepreneur (Start/Purchase)	Yes No	Yes
Nova Scotia	Int’l Graduates in Demand IG Entrepreneur	Yes No	No Yes
Ontario	Job Offer: Int’l Student Master’s, PhD	Yes No	Yes
PEI	International Graduates	Yes	Yes
Saskatchewan	Student Sub-category	Yes	No

EOI (Expression of Interest): The system selects candidates based on points. If the program requires an EOI, you will need to create a profile and wait to be invited to apply formally.

Details of provincial settlement programs

1. Alberta – AAIP

• Graduate Entrepreneur: For Alberta graduates who want to start a business (≥34% ownership).
• Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur: For non-Canadian graduates with startup ideas in Alberta. Requires CLB 5 or higher, minimum investment of $50,000–$100,000, and ≥34%–51% business ownership.

2. Manitoba – MPNP

• Career Employment Pathway: Need full-time job offer from NOC TEER 0–3, working in the field of study, CLB 7 or above.
• Graduate Internship Pathway: For new Masters/PhD graduates who have participated in the Mitacs program.
• International Student Entrepreneur Pilot: Open a business in Manitoba with ≥51% ownership, management activity for at least 6 months, age 21–35.

3. New Brunswick – NBPNP

• Private Career College Graduate Pilot: For graduates from Eastern or Oulton College, with a job offer in a priority industry (education, IT, logistics, healthcare...).
  Note: This program will close on end of 2025.

4. Newfoundland & Labrador – NLPNP

• International Graduate: Job offers related to the field of study, from NOC TEER 0–3 or TEER 4 in-demand.
• International Graduate Entrepreneur:
  • Open a business: Attended Memorial or CNA, owned ≥33.3%, operated business for 1 year, created at least 1 job.
  • Buy a business: The business has at least 5 years of previous operations.

5. Nova Scotia – NSNP

• International Graduates in Demand: Job offers in healthcare, preschool education, pharmaceutical technician...
• International Graduate Entrepreneur: Opened business ≥1 year, owned ≥33.3%, created at least 1 job.

6. Ontario – OINP

• Job Offer: International Student: Full-time job offer from NOC TEER 0–3.
• Master’s Graduate: Have a Master's degree from the University of Ontario, lived in Ontario for at least 1 year/2 years in the past.
• PhD Graduate: Have a PhD from the University of Ontario, lived in Ontario for at least 1 year/2 years in the past.

7. Prince Edward Island – PEI PNP

• International Graduates: Job offer from PEI employer (long term contract or 2 years or more). Priority is given to medical, engineering, child care industries.

8. Saskatchewan – SINP

• Student Sub-category: Job offer related to the field of study from NOC TEER 0–3 or designated occupation, working at SK for at least 6 months.

PNP Application Process for International Students

Cases where EOI is NOT required:

1. Apply directly to the provincial PNP program.
2. Receive provincial nomination.
3. Submit your PR application to IRCC.

In case EOI is required:

1. Create a profile in the province's EOI system.
2. Wait for an invitation to apply (ITA).
3. Submit your nomination application.
4. Get nominated and submit PR to IRCC.

Current PNP PR processing time: ~21 months from the date of filing with the federal government.

Some important notes

• Most programs require graduation from educational institutions in that province.
• Most are not linked to the system. Express Entry, so you apply under the “base stream”.
• International students without a PGWP still have some options. as in New Brunswick or Newfoundland.