Canada remains an excellent option for relocating the immigrants into the next decades. They offer good programs to immigrants, including programs for skilled workers, families and international students.
The immigration framework is evolving towards a stable state of affairs that will address economic expansion, housing issues, and labour market needs in October 2025.
IRCC aims to welcome 500,000 new permanent residents in 2025. The new direction is more about managing temporary residents presently in Canada and sustainably growing through to 2025.
There are two main ways to get permanent residency in Canada: the Student-to-PR Pathway and Express Entry.
- Express Entry is an online system that gives points to skilled workers with professional experience.
- The Student-to-PR Pathway helps international students move from school to work in Canada and then to permanent residency.
Eventually, these two pathways intersect on one another. For instance, many international students who attain Canadian work experience subsequently become eligible for Express Entry. They come with separate requirements, processes, and timelines.
This guide outlines both of these pathways comprehensively, including the distinct types, subtypes, and updates for 2025. It describes language testing, CRS scores, and any new pilot programs that would not otherwise apply to certain categories of applicants.
Whether you are a skilled worker seeking the Federal Skilled Worker Program, or a recent graduate on a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), this article will provide you with the information you need to have an understanding of your options for permanent residency.
Understanding Express Entry: The Fast-Track for Skilled Immigrants
Express Entry, which started in 2015, is Canada’s primary method for processing applications for skilled workers. It manages three primary programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
The whole process consists of two steps:
- You create an online profile (an Expression of Interest) where you provide information about your age, educational background, language skills, and work experience. Based on that information, you will receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
- IRCC conducts rounds every few weeks where they select the candidates with the highest scores and allow them to apply for permanent residence. If you are selected, you will have 60 days to submit your full PR application.
Core Programs and Subtypes
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is designed for skilled workers who have been employed outside Canada and intend to settle in any province other than Quebec, which has its own unique system. The FSWP is the most common Express Entry stream, accounting for approximately 40% of invitations to apply (ITAs) under Express Entry.
Eligibility Requirements:
To be eligible, you need to:
- You must have full-time (or equivalent part-time) paid work experience in a skilled position under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 for a minimum of one year in the last ten years.
- You must demonstrate the ability to listen, read, speak, and write at the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 in either English or French.
- You must have at least a Canadian high school diploma. To confirm that your education is comparable to the standards of a Canadian high school diploma, you will also require an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
- You have to score a minimum of 67 points out of 100 under the FSWP selection grid; the grid assesses points based on your age, education, work experience, language proficiency, job offer, and adaptability.
- If you do not have a job offer, you will need to provide documentation of sufficient available funds to settle in Canada. A single person will need approximately CAD $13,757.
The program doesn’t have separate subcategories, but since 2023, IRCC has been holding category-based draws focusing on in-demand skills such as STEM, healthcare, trades, transport, and French proficiency. These targeted draws have continued through 2025 to help fill key labor shortages across Canada.
Application Process:
The application process is straightforward:
- Create your Express Entry profile.
- Enter the candidate pool and wait for an invitation to apply (ITA).
- If invited, submit your permanent residence application — most are processed in about six months.
Typical CRS cutoffs for FSWP draws range between 500 and 550 points.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
The purpose of The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is to attract skilled people like welders, plumbers and electricians, to complete the need of blue collar people working in Canada.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicant must have had at least two years of full-time work experience in the last five years in a skilled trade in NOC Groups 72, 73, 82, 83, 92, and 93.
- Meet a language requirement for CLB 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB 4 for reading and writing.
- Have either a job offer for a full-time position by a Canadian employer, or a certificate of qualification from a provincial or territorial authority.
- Education is not required, but if you do have one, you will be awarded some points in Express Entry.
- You will also need to provide proof of Settlement Funds, in a similar manner to the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP).
The FSTP is responsive to regional and industry needs. For example, in 2025, the Government began having targeted draws for construction trades to meet housing demand. There are no subtypes of programs, but it is possible to South to this to a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) for an additional 600 CRS points if it is an enhanced nomination.
The application process is similar to that of the FSWP but with lower language score requirements, making it more accessible for tradespeople without a university degree. Recent draws for FSTP candidates typically have scores around 400–450.
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is among the major programs that provide support to individuals applying for permanent residency with Canadian work experience. It is widely used by former temporary residents and international students, making it a key component of the Student-to-PR Pathway.
Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible for CEC, you’ll need to:
- At least one year of full-time skilled work experience (that is, NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) in Canada within the last three years and
- Meet the language proficiency requirement of CLB 7 for NOC TEER 0 or 1 and CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3.
- There is no educational requirement, and there is no requirement to show proof of funds if you’re already working in Canada.
- In addition, you must be planning to live outside of Quebec.
The program includes people like intra-company transferees and those holding LMIA-exempt work permits. In 2025, CEC draws became more frequent—over 10,000 invitations were issued in September alone, showing that IRCC is encouraging more people already in Canada to apply for permanent residence.
Once you create your Express Entry profile, CEC applications often move quickly, with most being processed in under four months for those already in Canada.
Canada CRS System and Draws
The CRS is worth a maximum of 1,200 points (600 core + 600 spousal/job offer). The draws take place every one to two weeks and can generally be categorized as general, program-specific, or category-based.
The latest information about 2025 was from the September 29 draw, which invited slightly more than 3,000 candidates at a CRS of 510. We expect the cutoff for the October 1 draw to be in the range of 505-515.
A high cutoff (like for the PNP-focused 855) suggests that there remains strong competition, outside of candidates with French.
IRCC’s recently introduced multi-year immigration program plan doesn’t call for increases to overall targets above 395,000 PR admissions for 2025, 2026 and 2027, with an emphasis on economic streams.
Express Entry Program | Key Eligibility | Language (CLB Min) | Typical CRS Cutoff (2025) | Processing Time |
FSWP | 1 yr foreign skilled work | 7 all abilities | 500-550 | 6 months |
FSTP | 2 yrs trade experience + job offer | 5 speaking/listening | 400-450 | 6 months |
CEC | 1 yr Canadian skilled work | 7 (TEER 0/1) or 5 (TEER 2/3) | 450-500 | 4-6 months |
The Student-to-PR Pathway: From Campus to Citizenship
Canada does not present a singular program for students to transition to permanent residence, but rather a step-by-step process. More than a million international students will come to Canada in 2024 because their studies in Canada will allow them to become permanent residents.
Here’s how the pathway typically looks:
- You can apply for a study permit and attend a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
- Upon completion of your program, you will be able to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
- After receiving your PGWP you will obtain Canadian work experience.
- Once you’ve obtained the required amount of work experience you can apply for permanent residence through Express Entry, which is typically through the Canadian Experience Class, and/or the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
Core Components and Subtypes
- Study Permit and Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
A study permit allows international pupils to study full-time at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada. After finishing your studies, you can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). It is an open work permit which provides for working for any employer in Canada for up to three years, depending on the time taken to complete your study program.
To qualify for a PGWP, you must:
- Complete a program that lasts at least eight months at a DLI.
- Submit your PGWP application within 180 days after graduation.
- You don’t need a job offer to apply.
There are different types of PGWPs. Most are valid for one to three years, matching your program’s length. However, in 2025, new rules were introduced: PGWPs now usually match the exact program duration, but master’s and PhD graduates might receive extended permits.
Also, to manage housing challenges, the government now requires Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) for study permit applications. This change is expected to reduce the number of approved study permits by about 35%.
You can apply online after completeing your post-graduation. After fulfilling all the requirements, the processing times can take 80-120 days.
- Transition via Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry
Many students prefer PGWP work experiencecto qualify under CEC pogram, as detailed earlier.
- Eligibility Specific to Students: 1 year Canadian work experience under PGWP is essential. .
- Subtypes: The preference is given to the TEER-based professions (0/1 for managers/professionals; 2/3 for technicians). In 2025 the category based draws are favoured. These includes student graduated in fields of healthcare/STEM.
- Advantages: It does not requires proof of funds and the processing is faster.
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) for Students
PNPs allow provinces to nominate graduates for PR, adding 600 CRS points if entering Express Entry.
- Key Subtypes:
- International Graduate Streams: This program is designed for international graduates like, Ontario’s OINP Human Capital Priorities which accepts masters/PhD grads who get direct nominations and BC’s Skills Immigration for recent grads in high-demand fields.
- Employer-Driven: This program is job offer-based, like Alberta’s AAIP Opportunity Stream for PGWP holders.
- Entrepreneur Streams: This program is for student startups, e.g., for Saskatchewan’s Entrepreneur Program.
- Eligibility: Eligibility often varies according to the program type. One of the main requirement is 1-2 years study in province, have a minimum CLB 7, and ties to the province. A job offer letter is also required.
- 2025 Updates: Effective from January 7, BC PNP’s new Skills Guide is introduced. This guide prioritizes grads in tech/green jobs. This program targets for 110,000 PNPs in 2025.
- Other Specialized Pathways
- Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP): This is a Community-driven Pilot program. Under this Pilot program students with local ties qualify via work experience.
- Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): This Program is designed for Atlantic provinces graduates who have job offers.
- New 2025 Pathway: IRCC launches a dedicated TR-to-PR stream for temporary residents (including students) before current pilots expire, targeting 20,000 spots with simplified criteria.
- Process: minimum eligibility requirement is one year experience. Gain 1 year work experience and apply to PNP/RNIP. If you meet all the requirements then your PR will be processed in 6-12 months).
Student-to-PR Subtype | Key Requirement | Nomination Boost | Duration of Work Needed | 2025 Target Spots |
PGWP to CEC | DLI graduation + 1 yr work | N/A (CRS via experience) | 1 year | Integrated in EE |
OINP Graduate | Ontario study + job | 600 CRS | 6-12 months | 18,000 |
BC Skills Immigration | BC DLI + offer in priority occupation | Direct PR | 9 months | 4,000 grads |
RNIP | Rural community job | Direct nomination | 1 year | 5,000 |
Comparing Express Entry and Student-to-PR: Pros, Cons, and Strategic Choices
While both programs lead to PR, but there some differences in the eligibility requirements and application process. Here is the differencebetween the two:
Aspect | Express Entry | Student-to-PR Pathway |
Target Audience | Skilled foreign workers | International students/grads |
Entry Barrier | High CRS (500+), language/education | Study permit + PGWP eligibility |
Time to PR | 6-12 months post-ITA | 2-5 years (study + work) |
Cost | CAD $2,300/family + ECA/language tests | CAD $10,000+/year tuition + living |
Advantages | Nationwide mobility, no study required | Canadian experience boosts CRS, PNPs |
Challenges | Volatile cutoffs (e.g., 855 PNP) | 2025 study cap, PGWP limits |
Success Rate | 80%+ for ITAs | 70% for CEC-eligible grads |
2025 Updates | More category draws, reduced targets | New TR pathway, PALs for permits |
Students frequently hybridize in a strategic manner: They utilize the PGWP to gain entrance into Express entrance through the CEC. In order to qualify for Student-to-PR benefits, foreign labourers may pursue a Canadian credential.
Language Proficiency: The Pivotal Role of CELPIP and Resources
Both options require proficiency in English/French, and CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program) is a great option as it is almost fully computer delivered and is the IRCC test of choice for PR.
It tests your English at a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level (e.g., one would receive a score of 9/10 for CLB 9). The total cost is CAD $185 for the General LS (listening/speaking) or full General test.
To prepare for the exam, celpip.biz provides outstanding free mocks and samples in all components (listening, reading, writing, speaking) in a form that closely matches the actual exam.
They utilize practice tests that provide customized feedback to the applicant and take only a minute to complete. Their goal is to help applicants achieve CLB 7+ in the most efficient manner.
The other benefit of CELPIP, especially for the purposes of CRS, is it’s all English, as opposed to IELTS, and can add an additional 136 core points to your CRS score, depending on your results.
In 2025, Express Entry’s effectiveness versus Student-to-PR’s complete evolution, is increasingly apparent, both will evolve in time to reflect IRCC’s goal of balanced consideration of application intake—395,000 PRs, with an eye on retention.
Recent draws suggest momentum is building (65,838 ITAs YTD) with ‘New Transition’ advances favouring students.
Refer to celpip.biz for helpful language prep, and keep an eye on the IRCC for any draws. If you are strategic, either pathway will provide a means to Canada’s vibrant cities, healthcare support, and very inclusive culture. Regardless, open a profile to begin the process today; your future awaits.
