The recent policy changes in Canada can be beneficial in many ways to the 2026 cohort of international students, particularly those who are looking for PR in the country. At first, the recent cuts to the international student program may seem like it will negatively impact international students, but they can actually benefit those who genuinely seek the study-to-immigrate pathway.
Canada’s Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is an important pathway to Canada PR for international students, and graduates with one year of skilled work experience (outside of full-time studies) in Canada are eligible.
International graduates with a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Canada are well-positioned to transition into Canadian permanent residents if the current immigration trends persist. Canada’s Express Entry has seen a drastic shift regarding the draws. After April 23, 2024, no general Express Entry draws have been conducted, and invitations to apply for permanent residence have been issued through Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws, category-based selections, and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). This shift places a greater focus on candidates who have work experience in Canada.
Obtaining a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Canada is the way to gain the relevant experience. Graduates with an open permit can stay up to 3 years in Canada, and they can work for any Canadian employer. Getting employment for a PGWP is easy with their familiarity with the culture and local and educational institution networks. Their skilled employment experience and ties with Canada will increase the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and improve their possibility for permanent residence through the CEC.
The bonus points for arranged employment are no longer applicable. The Express Entry system in Canada used to award Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) bonus points (usually 50 or 200 for specific senior executive roles) to applicants with qualifying arranged employment. International graduates with an open work permit, such as Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs), did not qualify for these points, while foreign nationals having closed, employer-specific work permits, mostly through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, received the points. The removal of the additional points thus eliminates the advantage held by closed permit holders with arranged employment over those who hold open permits without arranged employment.
International students stand to gain very much from the recent Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) reductions. With the TFWP work permit approvals reduced, there will be fewer international candidates with Canadian work experience, which is the primary parameter to qualify for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and they will score good CRS points as well.
Even though TFWP holders will not receive the extra points for arranged employment, they will receive points for skill transferability by having skilled foreign work experience (2 or 3 years of foreign work experience gives them an additional 50 CRS points) and Canadian work experience. On the other hand, international graduates only start their careers after their studies and will not have skilled work experience. Also, candidates having previous work experience before their graduation may have only experience in low-skilled jobs, which are classified under TEER 4 or 5 under Canada's National Occupation Classification, which in turn are not considered under the skill transferability. Thus, the limit placed on TFWP workers entering Canada reduces the competition for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Note: Candidates in the skilled trades sector with a valid certificate of qualification can earn an extra 50 points under skill transferability without foreign work experience.
Incoming students to Canada will now have less competition for Canada PR after study. The international student target intake has been reduced for now in Canada, this in turn means less competition for PR spots in the coming years. In the federal immigration plans, while student intakes have been lowered from 305,900 in 2025 to 155,000 in 2026, the economic PR targets have risen from 232,150 in 2025 to 239,800 in 2026. The advantage for international students enrolling in the 2026 intake will become clearer after several years. Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Canada will benefit the most. A Canadian bachelor’s degree is usually for four years, and students later qualify for a three-year PGWP, getting 30 bonus CRS points and increasing their PR chances under Express Entry.
Further, after five or six years, when the students become eligible for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), international student cohorts of 2022–2023 will have their PGWPs expired or will have left Canada or would have already applied for PR. Thus, a smaller intake today will be advantageous for students competing for PR in 2032–2033.
The recent policy changes, which include caps on study permits and temporary immigration, can actually favour the international students who are looking for studying and subsequent Canada immigration for students. The low completion rate, the increasing importance of Canadian experience, and the removal of arranged employment points can all favour students seeking Canada study to PR pathway.
ImmiLaw Global, study abroad lawyers and consultants, can help the students plan wisely.
Our strategic advice for students planning to study in Canada in 2026–2027
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Read to know: Canada Immigration Priorities 2026: Why In-Canada Applicants Have an Advantage
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