Canada PR Pathway for Education Students: How to Get Permanent Residency in 2025
Recent Canada immigration updates (2025) have made it easier for international students in education programs to move from studying to permanent residency (PR).
The education field is now included among the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)-eligible programs and is also a priority for Express Entry education draws in 2025.
This means that international students can complete an education program (even below the bachelor’s level), get a PGWP, work in Canada, and then apply for PR through Express Entry’s education category-based selection.
Example: How Education Students Can Qualify for Canada PR
Let’s look at Mary, a 27-year-old international student who studied Early Childhood Education at Sheridan College for two years.
- She’s single, fluent in English, and has one year of foreign work experience.
- Her program qualifies under the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) as “Early childhood education and teaching (13.1210).”
After graduation, Mary receives a two-year PGWP. She then applies for and obtains her Certificate of Registration with the Ontario College of Early Childhood Educators, which is mandatory for regulated education professionals.
She has worked full-time as an Early Childhood Educator (NOC 42202) for one year in Ontario.
This gives her the Canadian work experience needed to qualify for both the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and education-based Express Entry draws.
Taima’s CRS Score Breakdown
| Factor | Details | CRS Score |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 27 | 110 |
| Education | Two-year diploma | 98 |
| Language (English) | CLB 10 | 136 |
| Language (French) | None | 0 |
| Canadian work experience | 1 year | 40 |
| Skill Transferability Factors | 100 (max) | |
| Additional Points | Canadian education | 15 |
| Total | 499 |
Since the last Express Entry education draw cut-off was 479, Mary is in a strong position to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Once she applies for PR and gets her Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR), she can also apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP), allowing her to keep working in Canada while waiting for her PR approval.
Stage 1: Choosing the Right Education Program in Canada
The first step for students seeking PR is to pick a PGWP-eligible study program at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
✅ Ensure that the chosen program:
- Is listed as PGWP-eligible.
- Matches one of the approved fields of study.
- Aligns with Canada’s in-demand occupations, which change yearly.
For 2025, education, healthcare, and construction remain high-demand sectors.
👉 Pro Tip: If your goal is PR after studying in Canada, research both DLI programs and Express Entry categories before applying.
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Stage 2: Applying for a PGWP
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is an open work permit issued to international graduates for up to three years.
In June 2025, Canada expanded PGWP eligibility to include education students, even those in non-bachelor’s diploma programs.
PGWP Requirements for Education Students
| Level of Study | Language Requirement | Field of Study Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| College bachelor’s degree | CLB/NCLC 7 in English or French | None |
| University bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral | CLB/NCLC 7 | None |
| Other university programs | CLB/NCLC 7 | Must be in an eligible field |
| College/non-university programs | CLB/NCLC 5 | Must be in an eligible field |
General PGWP rules include:
- Completion of a program at a PGWP-eligible DLI (at least 8 months).
- Full-time enrollment, except for the final semester.
- Application within 180 days of graduation.
- A valid study permit during the application period.
Stage 3: Transitioning from PGWP to PR
Graduates of education programs now have a clearer PR pathway in Canada.
Here’s how:
- One year of Canadian work experience qualifies them for the CEC program under Express Entry.
- Their combination of Canadian education + work experience boosts their CRS score.
- With just six months of continuous experience in an education role, they also qualify for education-based Express Entry draws.
Why Education Graduates Have an Advantage
- Education draws have lower CRS cut-offs.
- Example: Last education draw = 479 vs. last CEC draw = 534.
- This means education graduates may secure an ITA for PR with a lower score than other Express Entry candidates.
Currently, there are 25,123 candidates in the 501–600 CRS range, making the competition fierce. But education graduates benefit from targeted draws that give them a competitive edge.
Final Thoughts
Canada’s latest immigration changes make it an excellent time for international students to study education programs in Canada for PR opportunities.
With the PGWP for education students, combined with Express Entry education draws (2025), international graduates now have a faster, clearer, and more achievable path to permanent residency.
👉 If your dream is to study, work, and settle in Canada, pursuing an education program could be your best pathway to PR in 2025.
