From a study permit to permanent residence: the main routes

Obtaining your study permit

Everything starts with a designated learning institution (DLI), a letter of acceptance and, depending on the province, a provincial attestation letter or a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ). The application is made online, before arriving in Canada in most cases. Our guide "Study permit for Canada" details the documents, fees and steps.

Studying while respecting the permit's conditions

You must stay enrolled and make progress in your program, without an authorized leave of more than 150 days, and respect the conditions printed on the permit, notably on working during your studies. A breach can cost you your status and force you to leave Canada. In Quebec, the province's own requirements apply.

Finishing the program and keeping proof of the end date

The permit expires 90 days after your studies end. The end of studies is the date on a completion letter, a transcript or a degree: keep it, because you must be able to prove that date. Several later steps (work permit, permanent residence) depend on the date you obtained your degree.

Working after graduation

The post-graduation work permit is available to graduates of certain designated learning institutions; it costs $255 according to IRCC's March 2026 page. If you are not eligible, other work permits may exist. IRCC stresses that the work experience gained could help you become eligible for permanent residence: it is the bridge between studies and what comes next.

Choosing your route to permanent residence

In Quebec, the Quebec government describes two selection routes. The PEQ graduates stream is for people who obtained in Quebec, as of November 19, 2025, a bachelor's, a master's, a doctorate, a technical DEC or a DEP of at least 1,800 hours, within the 36 months before applying, in a full-time program with a stay in Quebec covering at least half of the program; it requires oral French level 7 and written level 5, and applications are only received from July 2 to October 31, 2026. The PSTQ goes through an expression of interest, an invitation, a permanent selection application, then the Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ).

Outside Quebec, Express Entry manages three federal programs (including the Canadian Experience Class): you create a profile, you may be invited to apply in the rounds, then IRCC reviews the application. Provincial programs nominate candidates according to their needs: Alberta (AAIP) has four worker streams, British Columbia (BC PNP) selects by invitation, and in Ontario, according to the official page of July 14, 2026, only the Ontario Workforce Priority stream is open.

Moving from selection to the federal application

In Quebec, the CSQ is a selection document: you must then submit a permanent residence application to IRCC, which checks health, security and criminal record. For the provinces, the nomination opens the way to an application to IRCC, which makes the final decision. With Express Entry, the invitation comes before the complete application. In all cases, prepare your documents (degrees, proof of work, language tests) before the invitation.

Avoiding costly mistakes

Do not rely on guaranteed-approval promises or on timelines found on social media: use the official tools. Use only a lawyer, a notary or an authorized immigration consultant to represent you, and read our guide on immigration fraud. Our eligibility calculator gives a first estimate, without replacing the review by IRCC or the Quebec ministry.