How to Convert a Student Visa to a Permanent Resident Visa in Canada
Canadian permanent residency allows an individual to enjoy many benefits that Canadian citizens enjoy. A foreign national on a student visa in Canada can apply to become a permanent resident by filing an application with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) upon graduating from a Canadian school. To become a Canadian permanent resident, CIC states that a student must be proficient in English or French and have "qualifying work experience." Nonetheless, CIC reveals that it easier for foreign graduates of Canadian schools to become Canadian permanent residents because they "are familiar with Canadian society and can contribute to the Canadian economy."
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Visit CIC's homepage to download an application package for permanent residency under the "Experience Class." To download this package, see Resources below.
Foreign graduates of Canadian schools who are still under a student visa but have had some work experience in Canada can apply to convert their student visa into a permanent resident visa under the "Experience Class."
-
2
Download and print each of the forms under the Experience Class Permanent Residency application package, including the instructions guide. Be sure to read and follow the instructions guide carefully.
-
-
3
Complete all the forms, such as Forms IMM 0008, Application for Permanent Residence in Canada; IMM 0008 SCHEDULE 1, Background/Declaration; IMM 0008, Schedule 8: Economic Classes -- Canadian Experience Class; and IMM 5406, Additional Family Information. Make sure that the information you provide is true and accurate.
-
4
Write a check, do a bank draft or get a money order payable to "Canadian Consulate General." As of 2009, the permanent resident visa fee for a principal applicant is CAD $550. If you are applying with dependents, see the Resources section for detailed information on the fees involved.
-
5
Mail your completed application, containing all the completed forms and the application fee, to the following address:
Canadian Consulate General
Immigration Regional Program Centre
1 HSBC Center, Suite 3000
Buffalo, NY 14203-2884
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Since the "Experience Class" is one of the easiest immigration classes that a foreign graduate in Canada can use in applying for Canadian permanent residency, it is highly recommended that you get as much work experience as possible while studying in Canada. In fact, according to CIC, you must have at least "one year of skilled, professional or technical work experience."
Therefore, you may want to apply for various internships while in college as experience received during internships qualifies you to apply for Canadian permanent residency under the "Experience Class" upon graduating from college. Make sure that you have at least one year of documented internship experience before applying to switch your student visa to a permanent resident visa.
Per CIC's guidelines, when mailing your application to CIC, you must "Purchase a 24 x 32 cm prepaid National Xpresspost USA envelope at any Canada Post retail outlet." Be sure to follow this instruction in order to prevent your application from being rejected.
To switch your student visa into a permanent resident visa, be sure that you meet the "Experience Class" requirements; see the Resources section for these requirements. Do not apply for apply to switch your visa if you do not meet these requirements as your application will be denied.
