Should I apply for PR in Canada soon or should I wait a bit?

March 27, 2021 2:58 PM

So, I got accepted into grad school in Canada for computer science and will be starting in September of this year. I've thought about applying for PR, a lot of people have certainly told me to consider it since I meet a lot of the requirements already. In short, I speak French(B2) and English(C1), I'm 27, I've got around 3+ years of experience as a software developer, I have more than enough money and I have a BSc in CS that is a valid four year degree. Those characteristics above are why people have told me to just apply already. Nonetheless, I have some concerns.

First, is too soon? If I were to apply sometime after September would that raise some eyebrows? I mean I'm going over there for grad school, specifically to jump in deeper into CS, in particular Machine Learning. PR is something I've thought about but that wasn't my main goal and I don't want to make it seem like that's why I went there all along.

Second, how does ECA work? How do foreign credentials work in Canada? How do they determine whether my degree is enough for Canadian standards? I know there are systems like WES that do these, but what do they do? And what is acceptable?

Third, do I need to resubmit my temporary residence forms? If apply for PR are they going to consider that? Do they just care that I got the permit? Are these two things completely unrelated, separate and handled differently?

I'm unsure about all this, and I was wondering if someone could clarify.

posted by Tarsonis10 to Law & Government (11 answers total)

I might wait until you've been here for a little bit before applying for PR: who knows, you might hate the place. I wouldn't worry too much about foreign credentials, since you've already been accepted into a Canadian grad school (congrats, btw) and will be coming out of this with a Canadian degree.

You're the right age to apply: much later, and it's harder. Canada tends to be quite chill about changing your visa/applying for PR once you're here. But it might (I'm guessing: I don't know) affect your student visa if you reapply for PR before you arrive.

We moved here almost exactly 19 years ago, so almost all the detailed advice I could give is wildly out of date.
posted by scruss at 3:33 PM on March 27, 2021

You will need to apply for a study permit regardless. Having a pending application for PR doesn't give you any kind of status in Canada, and you won't be able to get PR by September even if you apply today.

What specific program would you apply for PR under? In most cases it's not possible to apply for PR through a "skilled worker" program while on a study permit. It's not that it would raise eyebrows per se (they don't how long you've been in the country, as long as you meet the application requirements), it's just not allowed by the immigration system. But there's lots of different programs so there might be an exception I don't know about.

(I'm from the US and recently received PR in Canada, currently living in Quebec.)
posted by mekily at 3:34 PM on March 27, 2021

Amending my answer a bit: It may actually be possible to apply while a student, but you'll have to check the requirements carefully for the program you want to apply through. (It's basically impossible in Quebec, but I'm less familiar with the immigration process in the rest of Canada).

By far the easiest route is to wait until you graduate, apply for the post-grad work permit (which is very easy, guaranteed 3-year work permit), then apply for PR. Having a grad degree from a Canadian school is a big plus under most of the residency programs.
posted by mekily at 3:53 PM on March 27, 2021

Response by poster: To be clear, I'm not applying now but if I did I'd do it soon after I got there. I applied for my student permit and all that. It's after I get there that I'd do this.

Doubt I'll hate it, already met a few people and I like it more than my own country.

Also going to Ontario, not Quebec, I'm aware it's much harder there.
posted by Tarsonis10 at 4:05 PM on March 27, 2021 [2 favorites]

The International Student Services Office (or equivalent) at the university you'll be attending is likely to have staff who are trained and legally allowed to give you (actual! useful!) immigration advice and answer all those questions. Their job is to help people exactly like you.

Also, welcome to Canada!
posted by heatherlogan at 4:19 PM on March 27, 2021 [3 favorites]

Best answer: All the international grad students I know became permanent residents the second they were eligible. There are some reasons for this beyond the advantages you've noted:

A) once students are permanent residents they don't have to pay international tuition.
B) once students are permanent residents they become eligible for government grad school funding. Once you're a resident you can apply for nserc.
C) after you become a permanent resident you have to stay in the country a certain number of days if you want to apply for citizenship. The sooner you start the clock, the sooner you become eligible to take a job elsewhere, without closing the door to move back to Canada.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 4:26 PM on March 27, 2021 [8 favorites]

Best answer: The Canadian government does seem to encourage people to get more permanent status if they are considered desirable residents with relevant skills.

One reason to get it is that it means that your future employer will not have to write a very long explanation as to why they should hire you, and then another explanation for not hiring a Canadian PR or citizen.

It is, however, the most bonkers appication for residency that I have filled in. And I do not say that lightly. But if you are younger it is much easier to dig up the information.
posted by lesbiassparrow at 7:28 PM on March 27, 2021

There is a specific immigration stream for students that might be helpful, though with prior work experience the skilled worker stream might be a good option. It's a good idea to talk to someone knowledgable to get advice on the most effective and efficient stream to apply under. (Costs differ by stream, as well as time frames and amount of paperwork.) Definitely talk to your university's international student services office when you arrive.
posted by eviemath at 11:06 PM on March 27, 2021

Best answer: If I were to apply sometime after September would that raise some eyebrows? I mean I'm going over there for grad school,

Canada WANTS New Canadians - especially educated, young and bilingual ones. If your country is not encouraging immigration you may have the perception Canada is like that as well, but we really, really like people to move here and make a meaningful contribution.
posted by saucysault at 5:32 AM on March 28, 2021 [3 favorites]

An ECA establishes the Canadian equivalent of a foreign education certificate. The government uses them for immigration evaluations. They can sometimes be used elsewhere (university, hiring) for similar equivalency purposes. though they are not legally required for that, just a convenient standard, especially if your degree is written in something other than English or French.

To get the ECA you need to use one of the recognized (non-governmental) organizations listed on the website - note that processing times can vary a lot between organizations so you should check before you submit. There are different levels of ECA that determine equivalency at either degree-level, or for each course you’ve taken. Make sure you get the one you are required to, as the cost and processing time is much lower for the degree-level ECA
posted by cardboard at 4:58 PM on March 28, 2021

Best answer: Yeah, if you're basing any hesitancy on the U.S. attitude towards immigration (as portrayed by some politicians and in the news, which is certainly an accurate view for some U.S.ians but even there not all), then forget it. Canada wants new immigrants. Canadians are generally pro-immigration. Your advisor, your department, your university, and everyone you know in Canada would be happy to know you want to stay.

And what you're doing is not at all uncommon. As I said, just about everyone does it. The only international student I've known who did not apply for permanent residency (in their second year, I think) was one whose studies were paid for by his home country on the condition that he immediately return to work there for X years upon graduation.

This will not raise a single eyebrow. Go to your university's international office and ask them who can advise you.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:36 PM on March 28, 2021