Paths to permanent residency and immigration in Canada

Many international students and their families have made Canada their home and become citizens. You could too! Find out different ways to continue building your life in Canada after graduation.

Just over 1.3 million new immigrants settled permanently in Canada from 2016 to 2021, the highest number of recent immigrants recorded in a Canadian census (Statistics Canada, 2022).

On this page

• Extend your study permit
• Renew your family member’s temporary resident visa
• Apply for permanent residency
• Apply for Canadian citizenship
• Work in Canada after your studies

Extend your study permit

The expiry date on your study permit tells you when you have to stop studying and leave Canada. If you want to keep studying, you’ll need to extend your study permit. Learn how to extend your study permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC):

• Extend your study permit or restore your status: About the process
• Extend your study permit or restore your status: When to apply
• Extend your study permit: How to apply
• Extend your study permit: What to do if your permit expired

Renew your family member’s temporary resident visa

If you decide to stay in Canada after your studies, your spouse, partner or children may also wish to stay. They will need to renew their temporary resident visa. Learn about the application for a visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa) from IRCC.

Apply for permanent residency

As a student in Canada, you’re not a permanent resident or a citizen of Canada. When you finish your studies, you may want to start the immigration process to become a citizen. First, you’ll need to apply for permanent resident status. This means you will:

• Apply for permanent resident status
• Remain a citizen of your own country
• Become a Canadian citizen when your immigration process is complete

Learn more about permanent residency from IRCC:

• Understand permanent resident status
• IRCC help centre: I am an international student in Canada. How can I apply to become a permanent resident?
• IRCC help centre: I recently graduated as an international student in Canada. Can I apply for permanent residence?

Apply for Canadian citizenship

Canada is a country of immigration. Join the millions of people who have immigrated to Canada and become Canadian citizens. Find out how to apply for Canadian citizenship from IRCC.

Learn more

• Immigrate to Canada
• Prepare for life in Canada
• Come to Canada tool
• Fee list: Temporary Residence
• Fee list: Permanent Residence

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