23-year-old CS student looking for PR strategy before graduation

[Nisarg@8490]

Hi everyone,

I’m an international student in Ontario and I want to start planning my PR pathway before graduation, rather than waiting until my PGWP is almost finished.

My profile:

• Age: 23, single
• Ontario, graduating in 2027
• 2-year postgraduate program in Canada
• 3-year Diploma in Computer Science + 3-year BE in Computer Science
• Expecting a 3-year PGWP
• No foreign skilled work experience
• Currently working part-time while studying
• Target IELTS: L8, R7, W7, S7 (CLB 9)
• Some web development and AI/ML projects

I’m considering Express Entry/CEC, PNPs, and IT-related pathways.

My main questions:

1. What would be the strongest PR pathway for my profile?
2. Should I focus on getting an IT job after graduation, or is any eligible TEER 0–3 job reasonable?
3. With CLB 9 + 1 year Canadian skilled work, what CRS range could I realistically expect?
4. Should I stay in Ontario or consider another province for better PNP opportunities?
5. What should I start doing now, while I still have two semesters left?
6. Are there any other PR pathways, occupations, provinces, or strategies that I should consider with my profile? Please suggest anything I may be overlooking.

I know policies can change, so I’m looking for current advice/experiences. I want to have a realistic Plan A, B and C before I graduate.

Thanks!

 

[Naturgrl]

1. There is no strong pathway because don't know Express Entry score. If not well over 510 then you need French. OINP with job offer outside Toronto in an in demand NOC.
2. For EE, any TEER 0-3 job. For OINP watch draws and see what NOCs are selected.
3. Don't know. Use the calculator
4. Moving doesn't improve chances unless you have a job offer, eligible employer and NOC/score high enough for invitation.
5. Learn French.
6. You have no work experience so focus on getting a job.

 

[canuck78]

Hi everyone,

I’m an international student in Ontario and I want to start planning my PR pathway before graduation, rather than waiting until my PGWP is almost finished.

My profile:

• Age: 23, single
• Ontario, graduating in 2027
• 2-year postgraduate program in Canada
• 3-year Diploma in Computer Science + 3-year BE in Computer Science
• Expecting a 3-year PGWP
• No foreign skilled work experience
• Currently working part-time while studying
• Target IELTS: L8, R7, W7, S7 (CLB 9)
• Some web development and AI/ML projects

I’m considering Express Entry/CEC, PNPs, and IT-related pathways.

My main questions:

1. What would be the strongest PR pathway for my profile?
2. Should I focus on getting an IT job after graduation, or is any eligible TEER 0–3 job reasonable?
3. With CLB 9 + 1 year Canadian skilled work, what CRS range could I realistically expect?
4. Should I stay in Ontario or consider another province for better PNP opportunities?
5. What should I start doing now, while I still have two semesters left?
6. Are there any other PR pathways, occupations, provinces, or strategies that I should consider with my profile? Please suggest anything I may be overlooking.

I know policies can change, so I’m looking for current advice/experiences. I want to have a realistic Plan A, B and C before I graduate.

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I’m an international student in Ontario and I want to start planning my PR pathway before graduation, rather than waiting until my PGWP is almost finished.

My profile:

• Age: 23, single
• Ontario, graduating in 2027
• 2-year postgraduate program in Canada
• 3-year Diploma in Computer Science + 3-year BE in Computer Science
• Expecting a 3-year PGWP
• No foreign skilled work experience
• Currently working part-time while studying
• Target IELTS: L8, R7, W7, S7 (CLB 9)
• Some web development and AI/ML projects

I’m considering Express Entry/CEC, PNPs, and IT-related pathways.

My main questions:

1. What would be the strongest PR pathway for my profile?
2. Should I focus on getting an IT job after graduation, or is any eligible TEER 0–3 job reasonable?
3. With CLB 9 + 1 year Canadian skilled work, what CRS range could I realistically expect?
4. Should I stay in Ontario or consider another province for better PNP opportunities?
5. What should I start doing now, while I still have two semesters left?
6. Are there any other PR pathways, occupations, provinces, or strategies that I should consider with my profile? Please suggest anything I may be overlooking.

I know policies can change, so I’m looking for current advice/experiences. I want to have a realistic Plan A, B and C before I graduate.

Thanks!

You have some big issues that will hurt your chances at securing PR like no foreign work experience, most IT jobs are no longer in demand so there aren’t many IT specific draws and you will be competing with many IT workers with more experience for most jobs, you need to work on actually getting the IELTS since going from 7 to 9 is actually quite hard. Agree that you need to start learning French. Express Entry is being revamped so the changes may work to your advantage or you may face the same issues. Many in your situation are having to return home to gain foreign work experience to increase their scores to have a chance at securing PR.