Understanding the Canada PR After Graduation
A Sri Lankan student’s Canada PR after graduation is a lifelong investment. But due to the ignorance of Canada’s dynamic PR channels, many Sri Lankan students lose midway through. However, getting the appropriate advice about Canada PR will make a significant difference in the long run. That’s why Travelco Education and Visa Services educates and guides you to realise your Canadian ambition. In this article, we’ll talk about Canada PR after graduation, successful programs, and the perks of studying there that you should know about by 2026.
Complete Your Canadian Education (Eligible Programs)
If you are a Sri Lankan student aiming for a bachelor’s, understanding Canada PR after graduation is essential. Therefore, you have to plan and apply in advance and, most importantly, in an eligible field.
Top Bachelor’s Fields for Canada PR
- Healthcare field: Medical Laboratory Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Respiratory Therapy Tech and Engineering: Software Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Electrical Engineering
- Education: Early Childhood Education, Bachelor of Education
- Skilled Trades Management: Bachelor of Technology in Construction Management
The usual duration of a bachelor’s degree is 3 – 4 years. To achieve Canada PR after graduation, you can apply to PGWP (Post-Graduate Work Permit) and then gain Canadian skilled work experience. You must then apply for the Canada PR system using either the provincial or Express Entry pathways.
Top Master’s Fields for Canada PR
- Healthcare & Life Sciences: Master of Nursing (MN), Master of Science in Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy, or Master of Public Health (MPH).
- STEM (The “Golden Ticket”): Master of Artificial Intelligence, Master of Data Science, Cybersecurity, or Master of Engineering (MEng) in Civil, Electrical, or Software Engineering.
- Business & Analytics: Master of Business Analytics or Supply Chain Management
- Agriculture: Master of Science in Agribusiness or Food Science.
Canada PR is faster and easier after a master’s. A master’s program, which lasts 12–24 months, helps you enter the PR system via a PGWP. Therefore, master’s students get Canadian work experience faster than bachelor’s degree holders, improving their chances of permanent residency after graduation.
Obtain Your Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
To get your postgraduate work permit, you must understand the eligibility criteria and latest regulations set by IRCC clearly:
- You must apply for the PGWP within 180 days after completing your program officially.
- A valid study permit is required either currently or within the past 180 days.
- All graduates must prove at least CLB 7 in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
- For a Canadian student visa, you need a minimum score of 6.0 in all IELTS bands.
How Travelco Education Visa Services Helps Sri Lankan Students Study in Canada
Our services at Travelco Education and Visa Services ensure a stress-free and easy journey for Sri Lankan students, ready to embark on their future in Canada, by providing accurate advice at every stage.
- Consultation with Students
We help to choose Canada universities for Sri Lankan students and the best course of study through expert one-on-one consultations to learn about your academic background, professional objectives, and financial constraints.
- Registration for Courses and Universities
We help you choose and apply for colleges and programs that fit your profile and long-term goals.
- Guidance for Documentation
Our knowledgeable staff assists you in arranging and completing the necessary financial and academic documentation to satisfy university and immigration requirements.
- Help with Offer Letters
We walk you through the following stages and acceptance processes when you get your offer letter.
- Processing of Student Visas
To enhance your chances of approval in Canada Student Visa Processing Time, we correctly and professionally handle every stage of your visa application process.
- Travel and Flight Plans
We can also handle your trip plans and airline tickets with Travelco Holidays, guaranteeing a smooth departure to Canada.
Gain Canadian Work Experience Before Canada PR (NOC Requirements)
If you need your Canadian work experience to count toward Permanent Residency (PR), here is a simple breakdown of how it happens:
The “NOC” Rule (Levels of Skill)
- Canada uses the TEER system to sort jobs. Most PR programs want you to have a “skilled” job in order to be able to apply.
- You can get a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 (management, professional, or technical) job.
- Express Entry typically does not count TEER-4 and TEER-5, which are general labour or service jobs.
- Verification: Use the Government of Canada’s NOC Tool to find out your exact job code.
The requirements
- 1,560 Hours: You need to have worked full-time for at least a year or part-time for the same amount of time.
- Legal Status: You need a valid work permit to be able to work.
- Paid work includes only compensated labour, not internships or unpaid volunteer work.
- No Student Work: You can’t get credit in the Canadian Experience Class for work you did while in a co-op or other full-time study program.
How to Go There
- Study First: A lot of Sri Lankans get their degrees in Canada so they can get a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
- Employer-sponsored initiatives: If you apply for an LMIA, look for a company that will hire you from Sri Lanka.
- Provincial Programs: If your skill is in high demand in a certain province (like nursing or technology), you should look into Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP).
Common Mistakes When Applying For Canada PR After Graduation
Due to errors made in technical and strategic aspects, Sri Lankan students face many challenges when transitioning from Canada student visas to permanent residency. However, even though these mistakes are critical, certain strategies can help you avoid them. Below are some examples of such errors.
- Avoid discrepancies in names across various documents, and cross-check that all the personal data exactly matches, including spellings and dates, before submission.
- Intentional or unintentional omission of visa refusals or criminal records can result in a ban of 5 years; therefore, maintain complete transparency.
- Avoid submitting expired IELTS or any other skills evaluation results, and make sure to present all valid results within the given time.
- Presenting false financial proofs with unexplained large deposits may delay your process, whereas you have to provide a letter of explanation for each large transfer for clarity.
- Avoid selecting easy courses without a base, and select courses in high-demand areas where there is a skills shortage, where your job is in demand, and where it becomes easier to obtain Canada PR.
Similar Countries that provide student visas
Apart from Canada, our visa consultants at Travelco Education and Visa Services will guide you through many such countries from the consultation to documentation without any stress. You can also check out similar countries below that offer world-class higher education with promising PR pathways.
Ready to plan your path to Canadian PR?
Contact TEVS today for consultation and expert guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can all international students in Canada apply for PR?
All international students can technically apply for PR, but they are only eligible if they meet the specific requirements of the immigration program, which usually requires a year of skilled work experience after graduation.
How long is the PGWP valid for Sri Lankan students?
It is valid for up to 3 years.
What is the minimum CRS score needed for Canada PR?
There is no single minimum CRS score necessary for Canada PR since the cutoff varies with each Express Entry draw depending on the category you qualify for.
Do I need a job offer to apply for Canada PR?
In most cases, no, you do not need a job offer to apply for Canada PR through the Express Entry system, but you typically need at least one year of skilled work experience.
