Last Updated:April 8, 2025
What is the International Graduate Stream?
This category is designed for international students who have graduated from a Canadian university or college within the last 3 years and wish to obtain permanent residence to stay and work in British Columbia.
Eligibility requirements for the International Graduate Stream (Applicant)
Educational background
- You must have completed a degree from a public university or graduate school in Canada, or a diploma or certificate from a public college after completing a program of at least 8 months (2 semesters or more, excluding co-op, practicum, or internship).
- You must apply within 3 years of obtaining your degree, diploma, or certificate.
- At least 50% of your program must have been completed in Canada. Programs completed through distance learning (either abroad or within Canada) are not eligible.
Language proficiency
To be eligible, applicants must have scored at least CLB4 on an approved English or French language test taken within two years of their application.
| Test | Language | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB4 | IELTS | English | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| CELPIP | English | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
| TEF Tests taken on or after December 11, 2023 |
French | 306-351 | 268-329 | 306-351 | 328-386 | |
| TEF Tests taken between October 1, 2019, and December 10, 2023 |
French | 300-349 | 300-349 | 300-349 | 300-349 | |
| TCF | French | 342-374 | 4-5 | 331-368 | 4-5 |
Job offer
- You must be currently employed in BC or have a valid job offer from a BC employer.
- The job must be in a skilled occupation classified under NOC skill level 1, 2, or 3.
Applicable skill levels (TEER)
Skill levels are defined within Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) as follows:
| Skill level 1 | Typically requires a university or graduate-level degree |
|---|---|
| Skill level 2 | Typically requires a college diploma or over two years of apprenticeship training; applicable to skilled trades and mid-level management roles |
| Skill level 3 | Typically requires a college diploma, less than two years of apprenticeship training, or more than six months of practical on-the-job training |
Intention to live in British Columbia
You must demonstrate that you have the intent to live, work and economically establish in BC.
Eligibility Requirements for the International Graduate Stream (Employer)
- The employer must demonstrate that they are contributing to BC’s economic growth.
- The company must have its headquarters and primary operations located in British Columbia.
- The company must have been established for at least one year.
- The employer must have at least 5 full-time employees (or 3 full-time employees if located outside the Vancouver metropolitan area).
- The employer must offer the applicant a full-time, permanent position and guarantee employment after the applicant obtains permanent residence.
- The position must be in a skilled occupation.
- The wage must meet or exceed the BC median wage for the occupation.
- The employer must make genuine efforts to recruit from the local labour market during the applicant’s work permit application process, or for at least 2 weeks prior to submitting the PNP application.
- The employer must demonstrate a genuine need for the position within their business.
If multiple applicants are applying under the same employer simultaneously or if the applicant has dependents, please contact Visa JP Canada in advance. Additionally, if the employer is located outside the Greater Vancouver area, there are preferential measures available. Feel free to inquire about these details as well.
Application process for the International Graduate Stream
01Register on the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) once the minimum requirements are met
Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements for the International Graduate Stream under BCPNP must register their profile on SIRS. Once the profile is registered, a score out of 200 points will be calculated based on the information provided, and the applicant will then be placed in the pool of candidates for selection.
02Receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
An Invitation to Apply (ITA) grants you the right to submit your application for BCPNP. Only after receiving an ITA, you can proceed to submit your application to the BC provincial government. The BCPNP conducts regular draws, known as “drawings,” where candidates in the pool are selected based on their scores, with higher-ranking candidates receiving ITAs first. If you do not receive an ITA, you will remain in the selection pool for up to one year.
03Apply online for the BCPNP
Once you receive an ITA, both the applicant and the employer must complete and submit the online application to the BCPNP processing office within 30 days. This step is crucial to move forward in the nomination process.
04Receiving a Nomination Certificate
Once the review at the BCPNP processing office is complete, the applicant will receive the results. Passing the review is referred to as being nominated.
05Apply for permanent residence to IRCC
After being nominated, the applicant must submit their permanent residence application online to IRCC within six months.
06Review by IRCC
After the review is completed by IRCC, the applicant will receive a letter called the Confirmation of Permanent Resident (CoPR).
07Landing
Applicants from outside Canada will enter Canada with their Confirmation of Permanent Resident (CoPR). Applicants from within Canada can complete the landing process online.
08Receive your Permanent Resident (PR) card
Your PR card will be delivered to the designated address within Canada within a few months.
Related Columns
Date Posted:April 23, 2025
How to Prove That the Family Class Permanent Residence Application Is Not Based on a Fraudulent Partnership
Related News
Looking to obtain permanent residence or a visa?
Consult with us now!
Applying for permanent residence or a visa to Canada on your own can be overwhelming due to the large number of required documents, and you may feel uncertain about whether everything is correct. However, if you're serious about immigrating to Canada, we strongly recommend seeking the support of an immigration consultant. There are many pathways to obtaining permanent residence, depending on factors such as your age, occupation, and family status. With the help of an expert, you can ensure that you plan the right approach tailored to your specific situation.
A professional immigration consultant will help solve your concerns
Get a free Counseling now
From immigration planning to application submission,
everything is completed with Visa JP Canada
Consulting with an immigration consultant makes the process clearer and much smoother. You’ll feel more confident with document submissions and procedures, significantly reducing the risk of mistakes. Take the first step toward your Canadian dream with the guidance of an expert.
