Top 6 Permanent Residency Routes for International Students After BC PNP
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The closure of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program’s (BC PNP) graduates streams and the unusual suspension of three replacement streams in 2025 have made securing Canadian permanent residency (PR) as an international graduate in British Columbia (BC).
The federal government 50% reduction in PNP nominations allocation has left many graduates looking for other ways to remain in Canada permanently.
But don’t lose hope-there are still many options available to achieve PR.
Why the BC PNP Graduate Streams Closed?
The BC PNP is no longer a route for international graduates to seek PR in British Columbia. However, there are significant changes that will happen in 2024 and 2025 that changed the program.
BC Changes on Permanent Residency
Closing the Existing Streams: The international graduates streams closed on November 26, 2024, and the International Postgraduate streams (IPG) is closed on January 7, 2025.
Suspended New Streams: In March 2024, the BC PNP announced three new streams- Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate which will be announced on January 7 2025. But, From April 14, 2025 these streams are going to be suspended due to reduced federal nominations allocations.
Wait listed Applications: IPG applications submitted after September 1, 2024 are on hold, with no clear timeline for processing.
Reduced Nominations: The federal government cut BC’s PNP allocation from 8,000 in 2024 to 4,000 in 2025 while BC started 2025 with a backlog of 5,200 applications.
Top Permanent Residency Routes for International Graduates
International Graduates in BC have many viable PR options outside the BC PNP. Here is a table that features six PR routes for your circumstances along with their eligibility criteria:
PR Routes | Who Can Avail? | Eligibility Criteria | Language Requirements | Job Offer Needed | Processing Time |
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) – Express Entry | Graduates with ≥1 year skilled Canadian work experience (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) in last 3 years | 1 year skilled Canadian work experience (last 3 years), intent to live outside Quebec | CLB 7 (TEER 0/1), CLB 5 (TEER 2/3) | Not required, but boosts CRS | ~6 months after ITA |
BC PNP – Health Authority Stream | Healthcare professionals in BC | Full-time, indeterminate job offer from BC public health authority | Varies by occupation | Yes, from BC health authority | 3–6 months (nomination) + 6–12 months (federal PR) |
Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) | Graduates willing to settle in rural BC (West Kootenay, North Okanagan Shuswap, Peace Liard) | Full-time, permanent job offer; Canadian high school diploma or ECA; 1 year related work experience (waived for local grads) | CLB 4–6 (by TEER level) | Yes, from designated rural employer | 12–18 months |
Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) | French-speaking graduates with job offer in Kelowna, BC | Full-time, permanent job offer; Canadian high school diploma or equivalent | CLB 5 (all abilities, French) | Yes, from designated employer | 12–18 months |
Other Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) | Graduates with ties to other provinces | DLI degree/diploma; job offer often required; work experience varies | CLB 4–7 (by stream) | Often required | 3–6 months (nomination) + 6–18 months (federal PR) |
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) | Graduates with job offers in Atlantic Canada | Full-time, non-seasonal job offer; DLI credential; work experience not required if graduated in last 24 months | CLB 4–5 (by TEER level) | Yes, from designated Atlantic employer | 12–18 months |
The suspension of three replacement streams in 2025 have led all of us finding other available options in 2025 more challenging for international graduates in British Columbia.
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