Canada offers you the choice to directly apply for PR. The system of obtaining PR in Canada is known as Express Entry.

1) Check the eligibility requirements.

There are three main Immigration Programs that make you eligible to apply for a PR.

- Canadian Experience Class

- Federal Skilled Worker Program

- Federal Skilled Traders Program

2) How to Check Your Eligibility?

The Canadian Government offers you a questionnaire through which you can determine your eligibility. You can answer it in two ways: 

a) Canada Tool

b) IRCC Secure Account

Pro Tip: Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

If you are nominated through this program, you get extra points that fasten and increase your chances of getting a PR.

3) Application Process

a) Create your profile and submit it to the Express Entry Pool.

b) The Comprehensive Rank System (CRS) evaluates your profile and ranks it in the Express Entry Pool.

c) If you have sufficient scores, you will be invited to fill out the application form. The time limit for the same is 60 days only.

d) You will receive a personalised document checklist upon completing the application form that you must follow.

e) Pay your fees, which include the processing fee, right to permanent residence fee, and biometric fee.

f) Finally, submit your application.

In the UK, you cannot directly apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or Permanent Residency (PR) in the country; you have to go through certain stages in order to obtain an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

1) Phase of Transition from Student to Graduate Visa

a) You can apply for a Graduate visa if you have an eligible student visa or Tier 4 student visa and have completed a UK Bachelor’s Degree, Postgraduate Degree or other eligible course.

b) A Graduate visa will allow you to stay:

-2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026

-18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027

-3 years if you have a PHD or other doctoral qualification.

2) Phase of Transition from Graduate to Skilled Worker Visa

a) You must find a job with a UK employer who is licensed by the Home Office.

b) You will be issued a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) by your employer.

c) If you are applying from within the UK, you must apply before your Graduate Visa expires.

3) Phase of Transition from Skilled Worker Visa to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

a) The eligibility conditions for ILR are as follows:

- You must have a record of 5 years of legal residence in the UK, often via a Skilled Worker Visa.

- Meet the minimum salary that is provided for your job.

- You must pass the English Language test of B1 level or higher.

- You have to pass a knowledge test known as ‘Life in the UK Test’.

b) The application process for ILR includes the following stages:

- Ensure you meet all the conditions that you have mentioned above.

- Gather all the important documents.

- Apply online and complete the form on GOV.UK website.

- Pay the required fees and make a biometric appointment.

The process of obtaining PR in Australia is point-based and can be explained under the following headings:

1) Complete a CIRCOS Registered Course

The major academic requirement to be eligible for a PR in Australia is that you should have completed a course in the country for a minimum of 2 years that is registered under CIRCOS.

Pro Tip: Choose a qualification that will get you an occupation that is mentioned in Australia’s Skilled Occupation List (SOL).

2) Obtain Your Temporary Graduate Visa or Subclass 485

The Subclass 485 can be categorised in two ways:

a) Post-Study Work Stream: You can apply after a bachelor’s degree or higher. The duration typically ranges between 2 and 4 years.

b) Graduate Work Stream: This is available for those who have completed diploma-level qualifications. The duration for this is 18 months.

3) Get your skills assessed

The next step should be getting a positive skills assessment from a relevant assessing authority for your occupation. It ensures that your educational qualifications and gained work experience meet the standard.

4) Meet the English Language Requirements

Get sufficient scores on tests like IELTS, PTE and TOEFL. The higher the score, the higher the PR points.

5) Expression of Interest (EOI)

Submit your profile on the government platform SkillSelect. You will get points based on:

a) Ageb) Education 

c) Work Experience

d) English Proficiency

6) Types Of Visa

There are mainly three types of visas: 

a) Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189): no sponsorship by state required

b) Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190): you get nominated by your state/territory.

c) Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491): eligible if you have worked in regional Australia

7) Invitation to Apply (ITA)

If you have the required points and a great profile, you will receive an invitation to apply for the visa.

8) Fill your PR application form

You must complete your form within 60 days of the invitation and pay the required fees.

1. Which country offers the fastest PR after study?
Canada generally offers the fastest PR through its Express Entry system, especially for graduates with Canadian work experience.

2. Can international students apply for PR directly in the UK?
No, students must first move from a Graduate Visa to a Skilled Worker Visa before becoming eligible for ILR.

3. Is PR in Australia point-based?
Yes, Australia follows a points-based system considering age, education, work experience, and English proficiency.

4. Do Provincial Nominee Programs help with Canada PR?
Yes, PNPs provide additional CRS points, increasing PR approval chances and speeding up the process.

5. How long does it take to get a PR after studying abroad?
The timeline varies by country, but Canada usually offers a quicker pathway compared to the UK and Australia.