Education Students Now Have A Pathway To Canadian PR

Education students now have a pathway to Canadian PR, i.e., Canada has recently made significant updates to its immigration system, creating a clear study-to-permanent residence pathway for students in the field of education.

The government has officially added education programs to the list of fields of study eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). In addition, education-related occupations have been included in the category-based selection draws for Express Entry.

This means that international students who pursue an education-related program in Canada, even those below the bachelor’s level can study, graduate, work in their field, and eventually qualify for permanent residency through Express Entry’s education occupation draws.

If you’re an international student considering a career in teaching or childcare, these changes could make settling in Canada much more achievable.

Today, we will discuss how Education students can achieve Canadian PR. 

So, without further ado, let us begin!

Step 1: Picking The Right Study Program

The first step for students aiming for PR is to carefully select a program of study.

International students must:

• Enroll in a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), which are the only schools approved to host international students.
• Choose a program that qualifies for a PGWP. Not all programs are eligible, so it’s critical to confirm before applying.
• Make sure their program is one of the officially approved fields of study. Having a program title that merely sounds similar is not enough.

Students with immigration in mind may also want to explore Express Entry’s in-demand occupations. These lists provide insights into which professions have better chances of being invited in category-based draws.

Once a program and DLI are chosen, the student must apply for a study permit and receive approval from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

For detailed guidance, students should consult resources that list PGWP-eligible institutions and programs, particularly for education fields at sub-bachelor’s levels.

It’s worth noting that Canada regularly updates the occupations eligible for category-based draws. While education is currently in high demand, students should keep in mind that requirements may shift by the time they graduate.

Step 2: Applying For A PGWP

As Education students now have a pathway to Canadian PR, the next step is to apply for a PGWP. 

Well, a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is an open work permit available to eligible graduates of Canadian institutions.

• The PGWP is valid for up to three years, depending on the length of the completed program.
• As an open permit, it allows graduates to work for most employers across industries, giving them flexibility.
• The primary benefit is that it enables graduates to gain Canadian work experience, which significantly boosts their CRS score and qualifies them for Express Entry streams such as the CEC (Canadian Experience Class).

On June 25, 2025, the government officially added education to the list of PGWP-eligible fields. This means international students in early childhood education, teaching, and related programs can now secure a PGWP, even if their programs are below the bachelor’s level.

Language And Field Requirements For PGWP

Other general PGWP requirements include:

• Completion of a program at a PGWP-eligible DLI lasting at least eight months (or 900 hours in Quebec).
• Maintaining full-time status during the program (except for the final semester).
• Applying for a PGWP within 180 days of receiving proof of program completion.
• Having a valid study permit at some point during those 180 days.

Step 3: Transitioning To Permanent Residence

Graduates of education programs in Canada are well-placed to move toward permanent residency.

Here’s why:

• With one year of Canadian work experience, they qualify for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
• Their Canadian education and work experience combination boosts CRS scores.
• They may also benefit from education category-based draws, which usually have lower cutoffs compared to other draws.

For example, the latest education draw cutoff was 479, while the recent CEC cutoff was 534. This means that education professionals often receive ITAs with lower scores than candidates in other categories.

Given that there are over 25,000 candidates in the 501–600 CRS range, the pool is highly competitive. Having access to a lower cutoff through category-based draws gives education graduates a valuable edge.

CWRVisa, a Canadian immigration leader, promises excellence and tailored pathways for your Canadian journey. Get in touch with us at CWRVisa.ca.