Graduates of Canadian Universities (Provincial Nominee Programs)

Provincial Nominee Program – International Graduate Category (Studied in Canada)

If you have graduated from a post-secondary educational institution (you received a diploma, degree or trade certificate) in Canada within the last two years, you may be eligible to apply under the Provincial Nominee program for permanent residence. Some provinces have a category that that encourages graduates to stay to live work in the specific province of Canada.

Here are the basic requirements for the international graduate category:

• You must have graduated within 2 years from the date when you apply;
• You must hold a post graduate work permit or other work permit when you apply;
• If you completed all of your studies overseas, you are not eligible to apply;
• The program you graduated from must be a diploma-, degree- or trade certificate-granting program  from a recognised institution;
• If you are a refugee claimant, protected person, or are without status in Canada, you are not be eligible to apply.

Each Province has different requirements you must meet before you can apply:

International Graduate PNP Criteria by Province:

 

Alberta

• You have graduated from a one or more year diploma, degree or trade certificate program within Alberta or Canada from a publicly funded institution or a recognised private college in Alberta;
• You have graduated within the last two years;
• You have a post graduate work permit;
• You are currently working at the time the application is submitted;
• You have a job offer from your employer;
• The occupation relates to your field of study.

 

British Columbia

• You have graduated from a two or more year diploma, degree or trade certificate program within BC or Canada;
• You graduated within the last two years;
• You meet the necessary certification, licensing and registration requirements (if applicable);
• You have a valid job offer;
• If you have obtained a college diploma, it must be from a public institution, not private;
• If the job offer is for a NOC “C” or “D” occupation – i.e. low- or semi-skilled – the employer must show that the job eventually  has  an advancement opportunity to a NOC  “0”,“A” or  “B” occupation;
• If you graduated from an institution outside of BC, you must provide a reference letter from a member of faculty;
• If the occupation is skill level NOC “C” OR “D”, you must provide results from a language proficiency exam;
• Work experience is not necessary.

 

BC: Post-Graduate Degrees

• You have completed a masters or doctorate degree in British Columbia within the last two years.
• Your masters or doctorate degree must be in one of the following fields of study:
  • Agriculture, Biological and Biomedical Sciences;
  • Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services,
  • Engineering,
  • Engineering Technology,
  • Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences,
  • Mathematics and Statistics, Natural Resources Conservation and Research,
  • Physical Sciences
• You must satisfy the BC PNP of your intention to settle in British Columbia
• You have a full time job offer from your prospective employer
• Your application will be assessed on your intention to reside in British Columbia which includes factors such as previous employment in BC, family ties, settlement funds, previous education in BC, plans and actions taken to settle in BC, and previous residence in BC.

 

Manitoba

• You have graduated from a minimum one year diploma-, degree- or trade certificate-granting program from a Manitoba post-secondary institution and have been working six months for a Manitoba employer OR
• You have graduated from a minimum one year diploma-, degree- or trade certificate-granting program in another Canadian province and have been working for one year for a Manitoba employer;
• You have a valid job offer from your employer;
• You have a post graduate work permit issued by CIC;
• You have sufficient settlement funds to establish yourself in Manitoba;
• If the occupation is skill level NOC “C” OR “D”, you must provide results from a language proficiency exam.

 

Newfoundland and Labrador

• You have completed a minimum two year diploma, degree or trade certificate program in a publicly funded Canadian institution. If you have only studied for one year in Canada, but have graduated overseas you may still be eligible.
• You have a valid full-time job offer in your field of study, or a related field of study, from a Newfoundland and Labrador employer;
• You are applying to the NLPNP within two years of the date on which you received your degree or diploma;
• You have a post graduate work permit issued by CIC.
• You can demonstrate sufficient English or French language capability to perform the employment duties;
• You can demonstrate the intention and ability to settle permanently in Newfoundland and Labrador;
• You have sufficient settlement funds to establish yourself in Newfoundland and Labrador;
• If the occupation is skill level NOC “C” OR “D”, you must provide results from a language proficiency exam.

 

Ontario

• This is an employer driven stream which means that your prospective employer must have first applied for pre-screening of the position and the position has been approved;
• You must have completed a two year diploma / degree within two years of submitting your application;
• Students who have completed a one year diploma / degree in Ontario, but have graduated from an overseas diploma / degree program prior to their eligible Ontario education are also eligible to apply;
• You must have a valid job offer;
• You do not need work experience to apply under this category.

 

Ontario: Master’s and PhDs

Students who have graduated from a masters or PhD program in Ontario within the last two years can apply under this category but as of June 20, 2015, applicants now require a valid job offer.

 

Quebec

If you have studied in Quebec and would like to apply for permanent residence, please contact Immigration Quebec.

 

Saskatchewan

• You have graduated a minimum one year course with a diploma, degree or trade certificate from a Saskatchewan or Canadian post secondary institution within the last two years;
• You have a current, permanent, full-time job offer from a Saskatchewan employer.  The job offer does not have to relate to your studies.
• If you graduated in Saskatchewan, you must currently have been employed for six months in Saskatchewan;
• If you graduated outside of Saskatchewan, you must currently have been employed for one year in Saskatchewan;
• You have a post graduate work permit issued by CIC;
• If your occupation falls under the NOC “C” OR “D” skill set, you will have to submit language proficiency test results.

 

Saskatchewan: Master’s and PhDs

• You have completed all degree requirements for an existing Master’s and / or PhD program that required at least one academic year of full-time study from the University of Saskatchewan or the University of Regina;
• You are applying within two years of the date on which your degree was granted and from a country in which you have legal status;
• You intend to live in Saskatchewan and are able to demonstrate your ability to settle and work in Saskatchewan with at least one of the following:
• You have at least six months of employment history in your field of training in  Saskatchewan;
• You are currently employed in your field of training or have received a job offer in your field of training in Saskatchewan for a term longer than six months;
• You have enough money to sustain yourself and your family for a short time without work ($12,669 for you and $3,000+ for each accompanying family members.

 

PNP Draw Points Cut-Offs

Some of the PNP streams for the provinces of Ontario, Alberta and Manitoba use the same scoring system as Express Entry. Here are the cut-offs for 2021:

 

PNP Invitations

 

British Columbia PNP Points Cut-Offs

British Columbia uses its own scoring system:

 

British Columbia PNP Notifiations

 

BC Entrepreneur PNP Points Cut-Offs

 

BC Entrepreneur PNP Notifications

 

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program Points Cut-Offs

Saskatchewan uses its own scoring system:

 

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program Notifications

If you would like information about other PNPs not listed here, please let us know by emailing us or posting in our forum.