What is Express Entry and how does it work?

Express Entry is Canada's primary system for managing applications for permanent residence from skilled workers. Candidates create an online profile and are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). IRCC conducts regular draws to invite the highest-ranked candidates to apply for permanent residence. Category-based draws introduced in 2023 now allow candidates in specific occupations — healthcare, STEM, trades, and French speakers — to be invited at lower CRS scores.

Do I need a job offer to immigrate to Canada?

Not always. Federal programs like Express Entry do not require a job offer. Some provincial nominee programs also allow immigration without a job offer. As of March 2025, job offer points were removed from the CRS calculation entirely, meaning a job offer no longer provides a scoring advantage in Express Entry.

How long does it take to get Canadian permanent residence?

Processing times vary by pathway. Express Entry applications are targeted at 6 months from the date of application. Provincial Nominee Program applications can take longer depending on the province and stream. Your consultant can give you a more accurate estimate based on your specific situation.

What is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC)?

An RCIC is a licensed professional authorized to provide immigration advice and representation in Canada. RCICs are regulated by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). You can verify an RCIC's license on the CICC website using their registration number. Sao Khadjieva's RCIC registration number is R515185.

Can I immigrate to Canada as an international student?

Yes. Many international students use the study-to-permanent-residence pathway: obtain a study permit, complete a PGWP-eligible program, gain Canadian work experience on a Post-Graduation Work Permit, and then apply for permanent residence through Express Entry or a Provincial Nominee Program.

What documents do I need for a Canadian study permit?

A Canadian study permit application typically requires a letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution, proof of financial support (minimum $22,895 CAD for living expenses as of September 2025, plus tuition and travel costs), a Statement of Purpose, valid passport, and a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) for most undergraduate applicants.

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) — Canada

The Post-Graduation Work Permit is one of the most valuable immigration documents available to international students in Canada — an open work permit that allows you to gain Canadian work experience after graduation, without being tied to a specific employer. For most international students with Permanent Residence as a long-term goal, the PGWP is not just a next step after graduation. It is a critical bridge between your studies and your Express Entry or PNP application, and how you plan for it needs to start before you choose your program.

What many students don't realize until it's too late is that PGWP eligibility is not automatic. Significant reforms introduced in 2024 tied PGWP eligibility to your field of study and language proficiency in ways that fundamentally changed the calculus for international students. Choosing a program without understanding its PGWP implications can leave you graduating with a Canadian degree and no pathway to the work experience you need for Permanent Residence.

At Magellan Immigration, we advise students on PGWP eligibility before they commit to a program — not after they've already enrolled. If you're already in Canada and approaching graduation, we assess your eligibility, prepare your application, and identify the fastest pathway from your PGWP to Permanent Residence based on your specific occupation and CRS score.

Who Qualifies for the Post-Graduation Work Permit

To be eligible for a PGWP, you must meet all of the following requirements:

Have completed a full-time program of at least eight months at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) eligible for PGWP
Have a valid study permit at the time of graduation, or have maintained valid status throughout your studies
Apply for your PGWP within 180 days of receiving written confirmation of program completion
Meet the language proficiency requirement — CLB 7 for university graduates, CLB 5 for college graduates — introduced as part of the 2024 reforms
Have studied in an eligible field — programs in certain fields, particularly at the college level, now require alignment with specific occupations designated as in-demand by IRCC

PGWP Length

Programs of eight months to two years — PGWP valid for the same length as your program
Programs of two years or more — PGWP valid for three years

The 2024 PGWP Reforms — What Changed

The 2024 reforms introduced two significant new requirements that affect all students who applied for a study permit after November 1, 2024:

Language Proficiency For the first time, PGWP applicants must demonstrate language proficiency — CLB 7 in English or French for university graduates, and CLB 5 for college graduates. This requirement applies at the time of your PGWP application, not at the time you applied for your study permit.

Field of Study Eligibility for College Graduates University graduates remain broadly eligible for the PGWP regardless of field of study. College graduates, however, must now have studied in a field aligned with specific occupations designated as in-demand by IRCC — including agriculture, healthcare, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and select trades. College graduates in fields outside these categories are no longer eligible for a PGWP.

From PGWP to Permanent Residence

A PGWP is most valuable when it is used strategically. The Canadian work experience you gain on a PGWP directly feeds your Express Entry profile under the Canadian Experience Class, and can make you eligible for multiple Provincial Nominee Program streams that prioritize recent Canadian graduates. Planning your post-graduation pathway — which occupation to work in, which province to target, which language test to take and when — is something we build into every student file we handle.

What We Do

Assess your PGWP eligibility based on your program, institution, and study permit history
Advise on language test strategy and target scores for PGWP eligibility
Prepare and submit your complete PGWP application
Identify Express Entry and PNP pathways available after graduation
Build your post-graduation Permanent Residence strategy from day one