Canada Study-to-Immigration Guide 2026
Complete pathways from study permit to Permanent Residence through Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, and Quebec immigration streams.
Table of Contents
Study Immigration Overview
Canadian study immigration is achieved through study permits, PGWP, and Express Entry (EE) or Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP). In 2026, PNP quotas have been reduced to 50,000 (10% decrease), CRS cutoff scores have risen to 510, with priority given to STEM/healthcare/trades. Pathways include:
- Express Entry – Canadian Experience Class (CEC): Suitable for PGWP holders, requires 1 year of NOC TEER 0/1/2/3 experience, CRS 400-510+.
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): Ontario, BC and others nominate international students, CRS 300-400+, adds 600 points.
- Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP): Points-based system, French CLB 7+ adds 14 points, suitable for Quebec graduates.
Comparison of Immigration Pathways
Below is a comparison of the main study immigration pathways for 2026 to help you choose the best path:
| Pathway | EE-CEC | PNP | Quebec RSWP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goal | Direct PR | PR after provincial nomination | Quebec PR |
| Language Requirement | CLB 7+ (IELTS 6.0 in all bands) | CLB 5-7+ (varies by province) | French CLB 7+, English CLB 5+ |
| Work Experience | 1 year NOC TEER 0/1/2/3 | 1 year NOC TEER 0/1/2/3 (varies by province) | Points-based, 2 years+ adds 8 points |
| Score Requirement | CRS 400-510 | CRS 300-400+ | Points 50+ (single applicant) |
| Employer Offer | Not required | Optional/Required (varies by province) | Optional, adds points |
| Costs | PR fee $1,365/person | Nomination fee $500-2,000 + PR fee | Nomination fee $844 + PR fee |
| Processing Time | 6-12 months | 3-12 months | 6-12 months |
| Settlement Requirement | No mandatory settlement | 2 years in nominating province | Permanent in Quebec |
| Advantages | Fast, applicable nationwide | Lower scores, international student friendly | High points for French |
| Challenges | High CRS scores | Limited quotas, intense competition | High French requirement |
Analysis: EE-CEC suits those with high language proficiency, PNP suits lower-scoring/provincial students, RSWP suits French-fluent applicants.
From Study Permit to PR: Step-by-Step
The journey from study permit to PR requires 2-4 years of planning. Below are the detailed steps for 2026:
- Apply for Study Permit (Mar-Jun 2025): Choose a DLI, obtain letter of acceptance, prove funds ($20,635/year) and IELTS 5.5+ (CLB 5), submit study permit application ($150 + $85 biometrics).
- Complete Studies (Sep 2025 – Jun 2026): Study full-time at DLI (8 months-2 years), maintain GPA 3.0+, obtain diploma. Popular programs: AI (NOC 21211), Nursing (32101).
- Apply for PGWP (Jun-Sep 2026): Apply within 90 days of graduation ($255), valid 8 months-3 years (depending on program length). Must graduate from DLI, one-time opportunity.
- Gain Work Experience (Sep 2026 – Sep 2027): Work in NOC TEER 0/1/2/3 job with PGWP, 1+ year full-time experience (30 hrs/week). Priority sectors: tech, healthcare, trades.
- Language Test & Credential Assessment (Sep-Dec 2026): Take IELTS (CLB 7+, 6.0 in all bands, ~$300) or TEF (Quebec CLB 7+), get educational credential assessment ($200-300, 6-8 weeks).
- Submit EE/PNP Application (Jan-Mar 2027): Create EE profile (CRS 400-510+), or apply for PNP (Ontario OINP 35+, BC 80+), get nomination adding 600 CRS points. Nomination fee $500-2,000.
- PR Application (Mar-Jun 2027): Submit PR application within 60 days of ITA ($1,365/person + $230/child), provide medical exam ($500-1,000), police certificate (~$40).
- PR Approval (Jun-Dec 2027): Processing 6-12 months, land as PR after approval, PNP requires 2 years settlement in nominating province.
Practical Application Tips
Below are practical tips for 2026 study immigration to increase success rate (75-80%):
Timeline Planning
- Mar-Jun 2025: Choose DLI, apply for study permit ($150), prepare funds ($20,635/year).
- Jun-Sep 2025: Start at DLI, apply for scholarships ($5,000-20,000), arrange accommodation ($800-1,500/month).
- Sep 2025 – Jun 2026: Complete studies, maintain GPA 3.0+, apply for PGWP ($255).
- Sep 2026 – Mar 2027: Gain 1 year NOC TEER 0/1/2/3 experience, take IELTS/TEF (CLB 7+).
- Jan-Jun 2027: Submit EE/PNP application, update EE after nomination (+600 CRS), submit PR ($1,365).
- Jun-Dec 2027: Get PR, land in nominating province, can move freely after 2 years.
DLI Selection
- Recommended DLIs: University of Toronto (Ontario, tuition $20,000-50,000/year, 2-year master’s gets 3-year PGWP), UBC (BC, tuition $18,000-40,000/year), Université de Montréal (Quebec, French programs $12,000-30,000/year).
- Programs: 1-2 year master’s/diploma programs, must be full-time, PGWP validity equals program length (max 3 years).
- Note: Confirm DLI is on IRCC list, private colleges may not qualify for PGWP.
Language Improvement
- English: IELTS 6.0 in all bands (CLB 7, ~$300), free ESL classes in Toronto/Vancouver (community centers, 6 months to improve 1 CLB level).
- French: TEF CLB 7+ (adds 14 points in Quebec), free French classes in Montreal, increases nomination rate by 40% in 4 months.
- Spouse points: Spouse with IELTS 6.0 adds 5-10 CRS points, requires certified marriage certificate (~$60).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Below are 12 common questions about study immigration in 2026. Click to expand answers:
Study at a DLI with a study permit, obtain PGWP to work, gain experience, then apply for PR through EE/PNP.
Full-time program at DLI (8 months+), apply within 90 days of graduation, one-time opportunity.
1 year NOC TEER 0/1/2/3 experience, CLB 7+, CRS 400-510+, no employer offer needed.
Ontario/BC DLI graduates, CRS 300-400+, 1 year experience, employer offer adds points.
Education 26 points, language 22 points (French CLB 7+ adds 14 points), experience 8 points, single applicant needs 50+ points.
Study permit $150+$85, PGWP $255, PNP nomination $500-2,000, PR $1,365/person, lawyer $1,000-3,000.
Study permit 3-6 months, PGWP 2-4 months, PR 6-12 months (EE/PNP).
EE-CEC no, BC/Alberta PNP requires offer (starting salary $40,000+), Ontario/Quebec optional.
CLB 9 adds 30-50 points, master’s adds 10-15 points, PNP nomination adds 600 points, 2 years experience adds 10-20 points.
2 years in nominating province (Quebec permanent), violation may lead to PR revocation.
Choose IRCC-approved DLI (e.g., University of Toronto, UBC), prioritize 1-2 year master’s programs (3-year PGWP), tuition $15,000-50,000/year, GPA 3.0+.
Use Indeed/LinkedIn, attend DLI job fairs, join co-op programs (60% convert to full-time), prioritize AI (21211)/nursing (32101) positions.
