Canadian international students and graduates have access to a multi-provincial pathway that can lead to a Permanent Residency (PR) invitation faster than Express Entry’s Canada Experience Class (CEC).
This is because many of these Alternative Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams feature significantly relaxed eligibility requirements compared to the CEC’s one year of work experience in Canada.
Despite the initial uncertainty due to nomination quota cuts in 2025, this year is expected to see much more activity due to a significant increase in local immigration levels.
Evaluate your eligibility for the extended PNP stream
This article explains the ITA minimum schedule and important details of the following immigration routes:
Ontario (OINP)
Note: Ontario recently proposed a review of immigration flows. Therefore, much of the information below may change soon.
Employer Recruitment: International Student Flow
Fastest timeline to join the candidate pool: Students and alumni can join the program pool through an Expression of Interest (EOI) as soon as they qualify. Ontario Recruitment. There are no work experience requirements to consider for this stream.
Candidates must have:
- A full-time position from an employer in Ontario that pays a wage that is at or above the low wage level for the specific region of Ontario where the work will be performed. and
- A qualifying post-secondary credential from a qualifying Canadian educational institution (out-of-province is also acceptable).
- meet All other stream standards.
Residency requirements: Although this stream has no residency requirements before entering the candidate pool, it is an Ontario recruitment-driven stream and candidates are expected to reside in Ontario if nominated.
Last draw: February 2, 2026.
Master’s program flow
Shortest timeline to join the candidate pool: Graduates can register for an EOI as soon as they can demonstrate that they have completed their master’s degree at a qualifying institution and have met the core requirements of the stream.
Candidates must have:
This is one of Ontario’s graduate student streams and does not require a job offer or work history to qualify.
Residency requirements: Ontario requires master’s degree candidates to have legally resided in Ontario for at least one year within the past two years before applying under this stream.
This means that you do not necessarily have to live in Ontario on the day you register your EOI, but you must be able to demonstrate the requisite Ontario residency history and demonstrate your intention to settle in Ontario.
Last draw: September 17, 2024.
Flow of doctoral program
Fastest timeline to join the candidate pool: Doctoral graduates can register an EOI as soon as they meet the doctoral education standards for their stream, documenting requirements such as language performance and Ontario residency history.
Candidates must have:
- eligible Ontario Ph.D..
- Required Language Proficiency (CLB 7).
- Settlement funds (or other acceptable financial criteria) and a willingness to live in Ontario.
Similar to the master’s program, this graduate program is designed to function without a job offer requirement.
Residency requirements: Ontario requires doctoral graduate candidates to have legally resided in Ontario for at least one year within the past two years before applying. Candidates must also certify their intention to reside in Ontario following nomination.
Last draw: September 17, 2024.
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) – International Education Stream
Career Employment Pathway (MPNP)
Fastest timeline to join the candidate pool: Graduates can submit an EOI after graduating from a qualifying Manitoba program (within the past three years) and securing a qualifying full-time job offer.
because Manitoba It also requires applicants to be working full-time in Manitoba when their applications are reviewed, but the “fastest” scenario is typically one in which graduates move into eligible employment immediately after leaving school.
Candidates must have:
- Manitoba education qualification with a full-time program of at least 1 year/2 semesters (completed within the last 3 years).
- CLB/NCLC 7 minimum language proficiency.
- Full-time position (1-year contract) from a qualified employer in Manitoba. List of in-demand occupations in Manitoba, Consistent with the completed Manitoba program. and
- Settlement funds (or eligibility for long-term employment in Manitoba) and career employment planning.
Residency requirements: Manitoba explicitly requires that applicants be resident in Manitoba and working full-time in Manitoba (have a valid qualification) at the time of application. work permit) when the application is evaluated.
Last draw: N/A – This pathway does not run according to a public drawing schedule. Qualified candidates will submit their applications directly once they qualify.
Graduate Internship Pathway (MPNP)
Fastest timeline to join the candidate pool: There are no offer requirements, so this route is very fast for qualified graduates. Candidates can submit an EOI immediately after completing their master’s or doctoral degree within the eligible state. However, you can also complete a qualifying Mitacs internship and meet basic requirements such as language and retention funding.
Candidates must have:
- Manitoba master’s or doctoral degree completed within the past three years.
- Language proficiency is CLB/NCLC 7 or above.
- Completion of my tax enhance or accelerate Internships at eligible Manitoba industrial/research companies (including Accelerate Entrepreneur). and
- Settlement funds (or full-time long-term employment in Manitoba).
A job offer is not required when submitting an EOI or application.
Residency requirements: Manitoba requires applicants to be residing in Manitoba at the time of application and to indicate their intention to remain after being nominated.
Last draw: N/A – This pathway does not run according to a public drawing schedule. Qualified candidates will submit their applications directly.
Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)
Alberta Opportunity Stream – Foreign Graduates
Shortest timeline to join the candidate pool: Alberta’s Opportunity Stream Because work experience is valued, the minimum amount will be met if the candidate has sufficient qualifying work experience in Alberta (including certain periods of paid co-op work) and is engaged in qualifying work in Alberta at the time of application.
For many new graduates, that means the earliest practical start time is around six months.However, if co-op experience completed while in school cannot be counted towards qualification..
Candidates must have:
- Valid temporary residence status and work permit in Canada.
- Have both a qualifying occupation and qualifying employment in Alberta at the time of application. and
- Alberta warns that working remotely from outside Alberta may disqualify candidates.
- Minimum work experience requirements vary by location and permit.
- Alberta specifies eligible experiences in Alberta within a set lookback period. Paid cooperation conditions may be considered.
A unique note for many people Work permit after graduation (PGWP) Holder: Alberta requires that the credentials used to obtain a PGWP come from a public higher education institution with an Alberta Higher Education accreditation and that the occupation is related to the PGWP holder’s field of study.
Residency requirements: Alberta requires applicants to be living and working in Alberta with a valid status/permit at the time of application, and notes that remote work arrangements made from outside the province may impact eligibility.
Final draw: February 2, 2026 (breakdown of invitees not specified)
Evaluate your eligibility for the extended PNP stream
Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
Foreign graduates in demand
Fastest timeline to join the candidate pool: Nova Scotia requires full-time, permanent jobs on the low-demand list; National occupational classification (NOC) code is the fastest way for qualified graduates to obtain a job immediately after completing a qualifying program in Nova Scotia.
Nova Scotia treats submitted applications as “expressions of interest” and places them into the EOI pool, which periodically selects applications for processing.
Candidates must have:
- Full-time, permanent job openings from eligible NOC employers in Nova Scotia.
- Nova Scotia lists specific NOCs for this stream and notes that they are subject to change.
- Proof of meeting program completion requirements within three years of application from an eligible Nova Scotia Designated Learning Institution (DLI). Credential rules associated with eligible NOCs;
- CLB/NCLC Level 5 Language Test.
- Qualifications to work in the position (including licenses if required). and
- Sufficient economic resources to settle in Nova Scotia.
Residency requirements: Although Nova Scotia does not have a separate “months of residence” requirement, eligibility is dependent on Nova Scotia job openings within the province, and the program warns that leaving Nova Scotia or losing or changing job openings (including after being nominated) can jeopardize eligibility. In fact, candidates must reside in Nova Scotia and expect to maintain qualifying employment while their application is reviewed.
Last draw: Nova Scotia does not publish regular “draw” dates for this stream. We will only contact selected candidates from the EOI pool.
Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)
International graduate school flow
Fastest timeline to join the candidate pool: PEI graduates can enter the EOI pool as soon as they graduate from a publicly funded PEI post-secondary institution and secure a qualifying PEI job offer while maintaining valid status and qualifications. Work permit after graduation (PGWP).
Candidates must have:
- Graduated from a publicly funded PEI institution.
- Full-time, non-seasonal job openings from PEI employers.
- PEI specifies that the offer must be permanent or last for at least two years.
- Valid PGWP and legal status in Canada.
- Language test results showing CLB/NCLC 4 for positions with TEER 4 or 5, or “satisfactory English/French” for positions with TEER 0-3 (as determined by the employer).
- Sufficient financial resources to settle in PEI. and
- Ability to attend interviews with local immigration authorities (if required).
Residency requirements: PEI does not list a minimum “length of stay in PEI” rule for creating an EOI profile for this stream, so individuals can submit their profile as soon as they have a valid PEI job offer and meet all other stream requirements.
Last draw: January 15, 2026.
Newfoundland and Labrador Nominee Program (NLPNP)
Foreign graduate student section
Shortest timeline to join the candidate pool: For graduates who meet the program’s study and employment requirements, the quickest path is immediately after graduation. After you have obtained your PGWP and obtained a qualifying job or offer from an employer in Newfoundland and Labrador.
However, for out-of-state graduates, program materials typically list additional in-state work requirements that may push your earliest entry point further away.
Candidates must have:
- Canadian Eligibility and PGWP.
- A full-time position (minimum of one year) related to the field of study from an eligible Newfoundland and Labrador employer.
- Field of study exceptions may apply to graduates of Memorial University or University of the North Atlantic
- Sufficient settlement funds to settle in the state. and
- Qualifications/licenses required for the job (if required).
Please note that graduates of out-of-state institutions must have a job or opening directly related to their field and have worked within the state for at least one year before applying to NLPNP.
Residency requirements: Out-of-state graduates must live in the state for at least one year and work in a job directly related to their field. In other cases, there are no strict eligibility requirements.
Last draw: N/A – This is not a lottery-based stream with open invitation rounds. If eligible, candidates will apply directly.