Canadian Immigration: New PR Pathway for Education Students

How Education Students in Canada Can Now Transition to Permanent Residency

If you’re an international student in Canada studying education, there’s some exciting news: recent immigration changes have created a much clearer path from temporary studies to permanent residency (PR). Whether you’re studying early childhood education or another related program, you may now qualify for both a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) and education-targeted Express Entry draws — even if your program is below the bachelor’s level.

Let’s break down how this new pathway works and what steps you can take to make your dream of settling in Canada a reality.

Key Highlights

• Education programs are now eligible for PGWPs, even below the bachelor’s level.
• Graduates can gain Canadian work experience and qualify for category-based Express Entry draws.
• Education professionals are now prioritized in Express Entry under targeted draws.
• A strong CRS score is achievable through a combination of Canadian education, work experience, and language proficiency.
• The new pathway supports long-term immigration goals for future educators in Canada.

Why This Matters for International Education Students

Until recently, many international students in education programs—especially those enrolled in diploma or non-degree programs—faced uncertainty about their immigration prospects after graduation. But now, the Canadian government has added education as an eligible field of study for PGWPs. Even better, education occupations have been included in category-based Express Entry draws.

This means that if you’re studying education in Canada, you can now build a path to permanent residency through a structured three-step process: study, gain work experience, and apply for PR via Express Entry.

A Real-Life Example: Meet Taima

To make this pathway clearer, let’s look at the story of Taima, a 27-year-old international student from outside Canada. She completed a two-year diploma program in Early Childhood Education at Sheridan College in Ontario.

After graduation, Taima applied for her Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which she received for two years. With this permit, she started working full-time at a daycare in Ontario — a regulated role under the National Occupation Classification (NOC) code 42202: Early Childhood Educators and Assistants.

Taima also became a registered Early Childhood Educator through the Ontario College of Early Childhood Educators — a requirement for regulated education professions in Canada.

After working full-time in Canada for a year and leveraging her Canadian education, language skills, and work experience, Taima became eligible to apply through both the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and the education-targeted Express Entry draw.

Her CRS Score Looked Like This:

And here’s the best part — the most recent education-based Express Entry draw had a cut-off score of 479. With her 499 points, Taima is in a great position to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.

Stage 1: Choosing the Right Study Program

If you’re just starting out, the first step is to choose the right education program in Canada. Make sure you’re applying to a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), as only DLIs can accept international students for PGWP-eligible programs.

But here’s the key: not all education programs are PGWP-eligible. You’ll need to ensure your chosen program is listed as an approved field of study. Even if the program sounds similar, it must match the official PGWP-approved education program list.

Since category-based draws can change year to year, it’s a smart move to review the current in-demand occupations and build your education plan around a field that’s likely to remain eligible.

Stage 2: Getting a PGWP

Once you graduate, you can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. This permit is open, meaning you can work for almost any employer in Canada. Depending on your program length, the PGWP can be valid for up to three years.

Here’s a quick look at what you need to qualify:

• Graduated from a PGWP-eligible DLI with a program of at least 8 months (or 900 hours in Quebec)
• Maintained full-time student status throughout (except final semester)
• Apply within 180 days of receiving confirmation of graduation
• Your study permit must have been valid during that time

Language Requirements & Field of Study

Depending on the level of your program, your language proficiency must meet certain minimums:

Stage 3: Applying for Permanent Residency

Once you’ve gained a year of full-time Canadian work experience in a relevant education occupation, you’re in a strong position to apply for PR. This work experience counts towards the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and also boosts your CRS score.

But here’s where the new rules really work in your favour: with education now a priority in category-based Express Entry draws, you might not need as high of a CRS score as candidates in non-priority streams. For example, recent education draws had a cut-off of just 479, compared to 534 in the general CEC pool.

The combination of Canadian education, Canadian work experience, and language skills creates a powerful profile for immigration success.

Final Thoughts: Your Future in Canada Starts Now

These changes are a game-changer for international students in education programs. Whether you’re planning your studies or already working in a childcare or teaching role, the path to permanent residency is now clearer and more accessible.

Don’t wait until you graduate—start planning your immigration journey today. The earlier you align your education and career goals with Canada’s immigration priorities, the better your chances of success.

Ready to find out how competitive your Express Entry profile is? Use our free tool to assess your eligibility and see which immigration categories best suit your background.

See how competitive your Express Entry profile is

Looking to settle in Manitoba? Check out our tool to calculate your points for the Manitoba PNP and boost your chances of provincial nomination.