Ontario fast-tracks permanent residency for international PhDs

This is a part of the immigration strategy by Canada’s province Ontario to enable international graduate students live in Ontario after their studies are finished successfully. The strategy aims to make Ontario as the preferred destination for pursuing higher studies by various international students.

As per the new rules by Canadian immigration, those having earned their PhDs from any Ontario university will get fast-tracked for PR (permanent residence) status. The rules are part of the ‘Open Ontario’ plan of Ontario and aim to bring an increase of nearly 50 percent in the international student enrolments in the coming five years.

This decision by Canadian government is good not only for the international students arriving in Ontario on Canada student visas to pursue PhDs but even for the employers in Canada and for the Canadian economy as well. This is because economy has increasingly become innovation driven, said Eric Hoskins, Ontario’s Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.

Prior to these new rules becoming applicable under Canada immigration, only those PhD graduates possessing a valid offer of job in Canada’s Ontario were eligible for getting fast-tracked as per the Provincial Nominee Program. Under the Provincial Nominee Program, only economic immigrants are chosen by Canadian government for Canadian PR.

However, the new rules announced on 26th April, 2010, international students can immediately apply for the fast-track Canadian permanent residency once they complete their PhD degree successfully.

Changes in the rules will not only attract and retain increased number PhDs in Ontario but also attract and invite significantly higher number of students to study, live and work in Canada by seeking Canadian student visas. Thus, it will promote profile of Ontario on the international stage as a better place to come. 

Under Ontario’s PNP (Provincial Nominee Program), the province can select the best and highly skilled immigrants that can prove to be of significant value to the economy.

The rules will help those international students in Ontario who don’t possess any Canadian work experience since the PNP will provide them Canada residency status for the research work done by them during their studies.