International students have the best opportunity to utilize the time spent during their studies to plan, prepare and boost chances of Canada PR (Permanent Residency). Most often students try to figure out about PR applications after they graduate, ending up wasting valuable time. Hence, understanding the PR pathways and taking the appropriate actions to meet the eligibility criteria (such as building experience, skills, and connections) early on while studying can maximize the chance of a smooth transition from study permit to permanent resident status.
The following are some of the ways to increase the chance of Canadian permanent residency for international students:
International students can enrol in a co-op program to get hands-on work experience during their studies and develop valuable skills. There is a high chance that after you graduate, the employer in your co-op placement may offer you a job, giving you an immediate route to the Canadian job market and allowing you to build the work experience required for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). CEC is one of the popular program of Express Entry for international students for permanent residency, and to be eligible for it, at least one year of work experience in Canada is required. The Canadian work experience of each year up to 5 years gives you more points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, increasing your possibility of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for PR. While work experience gained during studies does not count under the CRS score or toward Canadian Experience Class (CEC) eligibility, the benefit of co-op programs positions you to kick-start your career easily in Canada.
Having adequate work experience in the select fields where there is a labour shortage can open the door to permanent residency even with a low CRS score for international students. Thus, you can improve your chances of Canadian PR by gaining work experience in in-demand occupations. The Express Entry system has category-based selection wherein candidates with at least 6 months of work experience in most cases in the specific high-demand sectors such as healthcare and social services, STEM, skilled trades, agriculture and agrifood, and education have a high chance of receiving an ITA. International students can go through the special occupational categories and can build skills and experience during their studies in those occupation categories. You need not limit yourself to occupations that are directly tied to your field of study; you can work in the in-demand occupations during the academic breaks, which gives you the work experience and makes you eligible for category-based draws in those occupational categories.
Having foreign work experience can significantly strengthen your Express Entry profile, as you can get up to 50 additional CRS points, eventually increasing your chance for getting an Invitation to Apply (ITA). As an international student, you can accumulate foreign work experience while studying as a full-time student without having to wait until your graduation. Unlike the Canadian experience, you can gain foreign work experience CRS points by either:
• working remotely for an overseas employer while studying in Canada
• returning and working in the home country during academic breaks
Students with an interest in learning French can increase their competitive edge for PR in Canada. While it is not necessary to have French language proficiency, achieving an intermediate French language proficiency, i.e., NCLC 7 across all language abilities, can add up to 50 points of French language CRS points to your Express Entry profile and also make you eligible for French-language proficiency category-based Express Entry draws. In 2025 the French-language proficiency category-based draw had the lowest CRS cut-off scores. You can start learning French early in your studies, and over the course of your program, you can build your language skills slowly and efficiently. Further, you can also join the local French-speaking groups, attend French classes, and participate in intensive immersion programs. This will enhance your French language skills, and subsequently you will gain a significant advantage in the PR process.
Build a Strong Network with Alumni
Networking is not only about building positive and good relationships, but it is also an excellent career strategy. By connecting with the alumni of the institution, you will get to understand the Canadian job market better. Alumni can provide you with career support by introducing you to industry professionals and potential employers. Having a strong network with alumni helps you improve your job prospects and will help you personally settle in and build your life in Canada.
ImmiLaw Immigration can guide you through each and every stage of the study to immigrate Canada journey. Whether you are looking to maximize your CRS score, seeking the right co-op and work experience opportunities, trying to improve your language proficiency, or figuring out the best immigration streams for your profile, we will simplify the complex process and empower you to make informed choices.
Read to know: Canada TR to PR Pathway 2026: How to Get Permanent Residency
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