Top 10 Easiest Countries to Get Permanent Residency for International Students
International study is often a pathway to the easiest countries to get PR (Permanent Residency) as a foreigner.
Many international students seek to transition from their study visa status to being permanent residents of their host countries with the aim of positioning themselves for better career opportunities, and standards of living.
Unlike the general assumption that becoming a permanent resident of your country of study might be very tough, obtaining a PR status in some top countries like Canada, Australia, and the UK, can be easy.
Benefits:
International study destinations provide more opportunities for career, living standard, quality of life, family and future generations.
The following are the reasons why you should apply for permanent residency after your studies as an international student;
- Work and Career Opportunities
A permanent residency status allows you without restrictions unlike a student visa (with a maximum of 20 hours in some countries). You are able to apply and take up jobs without worrying about visa expiration or renewal.
More than 53% of students who study in Canada apply for permanent residency annually according to the pienews.com.
- Pathway to Citizenship
As a PR holder, you are one step away from being a citizen of that your dream country. This opens you up to more opportunities, government benefits, and jobs, including the ability to vote and travel more freely.
- Access to Social Benefits
Permanent residents are usually entitled to social benefits and welfare programs such as healthcare, education, and unemployment. You will be allowed unrestricted access to government programs that are not open to study visa holders.
A good example of this is Australia where PR holders are eligible for Medicare, the country’s healthcare system, which covers medical expenses.
- Support for Family Members
If you hold the PR status of a country, you will be able to sponsor your family members to join you in that country. This improves the quality of life of your parents, children, and other family members.
- Improved Quality of Life
Living in a peaceful, secure, and healthy environment can improve the quality of your life and can be a contributor to sound health.
General Process of Obtaining Permanent Residency as a Student
Before you proceed to apply for a permanent residency status, the following are the key things to note and the general stages involved;
- Completion of Studies: Many countries require that you complete your education before applying for PR. Only students who have completed their education studying full-time (undergraduate or postgraduate programs) in recognized countries within the country can be considered for permanent residency.
- Work Experience: Students may be required to acquire some levels of work experience before they are able to apply for PR.
- Language Proficiency: To apply for PR status in your country of study, you should demonstrate proficiency in the language of communication of the country. To apply for PR in Canada, you are required to take the IELTS exam as an international student.
- Document Gathering and Preparation: Once you have met the requirements (depending on the country), you should gather all required documents as stated by the agency involved.
- Submit your application: The final process involved is the submission of your application including the documents required to the authorities involved for consideration.
NB: Some countries use a point-based system to evaluate each of the credentials and rank applicants according to the total points scored.
In the paragraphs below, we will be outlining a list of the top 10 countries to get permanent residency for international students.
1. Canada
Canada ranks top on our list of the easiest countries to get PR for international students.
The country has consistently been a top destination for international study owing to its welcoming immigration policies, quality living standard, and diverse career prospects.
Canada offers three routes to permanent residency for international students;
- Post-graduate Work Permit (PGWP) that allows students to work for an additional period of three (3) years. This serves as a good basis for PR application, especially via the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
- Canada Express Entry System (EES): The Express Entry System is used to manage PR applications by the Canadian Government. Applicants who have studied in Canada, gained work experience, and demonstrated language proficiency are placed on the Comparative Ranking System (CRS) before being sent an Invitation To Apply (ITA).
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): offered by several Canadian provinces and targeted at attracting international graduates who are skilled and experienced to take available job offers in the province.
2. France
France, in addition to being a destination for quality education, is home to several opportunities for students to advance their careers.
After the completion of your studies as an international student, you can apply for permanent residency to stay in the country.
We have compiled a list of top scholarships in France for international students in this post.
3. Australia
Australia is another country with an easy route to permanent residency.
The country has several lively cities with abundant job opportunities and a high-quality education system.
International Students can apply for permanent residency through;
- Temporary Graduate Visa that allows them to work for a period of 18 months to 4 years after the completion of their studies.
- General Skill Migration (GSM) Program that uses age, education, work experience, and language proficiency to rank PR applicants
- Nominations from States and Territories like Canada, where international graduates are nominated by states to fill up job vacancies due to labor shortages or their skills and expertise.
4. Germany
After completing your studies in Germany, you can proceed to apply for permanent residential status as an international student.
Scholarships such as DAAD are your best options to securing funding to study in top German universities.
The available routes include;
- Job Seeker Visa allows you to stay for a period of 18 months after the completion of your studies while searching for a job related to your field of study.
- EU Blue Card is obtained by graduates who secured a job with a minimum average salary. This card can be used to apply for residency after an 18-33-month period with adequate experience, and language proficiency.
- Permanent Residency (Niederlassungserlaubnis) applied for after graduation and working for a few years (about 4-5) in the country.
5. United Kingdom (UK)
For many years, the UK has been a top destination for international students, tourists, and businessmen.
After your studies at a UK-based university, you can apply for a postgraduate work visa that allows you to stay for an additional two years.
The UK PR route includes;
- Graduate study route for a two to three-and-a-half-year period (Master’s or PhD) that enables you to seek employment opportunities after completion.
- Skilled Worker Visa for skilled workers or workers employed due to labor shortages. After a five-year period, these workers can apply for an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK.
- Innovator and Startup Visa is another route to obtaining PR for graduates and entrepreneurs.
6. Norway
Norway probably has the easiest pathway to PR of all the countries on our list.
As an international student or migrant, you can apply for a permanent residency after the completion of your program.
It takes three years of continuous residence to be eligible for a PR status in Norway. This means you can apply for PR after the completion of your bachelor’s or master’s degree (if it includes an extra year of internship).
To apply, however, you will need to have;
- completed a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral education from a recognized tertiary institution in Norway.
- proven evidence of financial independence; through scholarships, grants, or employment.
- have a good knowledge of the Norwegian Language.
- have no criminal record.
7. New Zealand
Our next pick is New Zealand—a country known for its welcoming aura for foreigners, great landscapes, robust educational system.
The PR process of New Zealand is also straightforward, making it one of the easiest countries to get permanent residency in the world.
International students or migrants can get PR via;
- Post-study Work Visa for graduates who wish to work in the country for up to three years after the completion of their program.
- Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) is for international graduates who have secured job positions in New Zealand and are planning to move down. The SMC is a point-based system that scores applicants based on qualifications – age, education, experience, certification, etc.
8. Singapore
Known for its huge investment in infrastructure, Singapore is a dream destination for migrant workers and international students.
With a highly developed job market, lucrative salaries, and a diverse working environment, it has become an attractive job destination for foreign workers.
The route to becoming a permanent resident in Singapore are;
- Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) for international students who wish to stay in the country after graduation and find jobs for up to two years.
- Employment Pass (EP) for foreign professionals seeking to live and work in Singapore. It is issued to individuals who meet specific financial and job qualification requirements.
- After a number of years, migrants can apply for Permanent Residency through the country’s immigration agency.
9. Ireland
Ireland is an attractive country for international students and migrants owing to its thriving economy, and quality education system.
The country offers easy PR routes for foreigners through;
- Third-Level Graduate Scheme for graduates of Irish tertiary institutions who wish to stay in the country for an additional two years.
- Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) for foreigners who have secured jobs in a field listed on the Ireland Critical Skills Occupation’s list.
- After holding a Critical Skills Employment Visa for two years, you can apply for a Stamp 4 Visa to enable you to live and work without the worry of an employment permit.
10. Finland
International students studying in Finland can apply for permanent residency after living for up to four years continuously in the country.
You will be required to submit some documents to demonstrate your proof of residence, employment history, and language proficiency.
Countries and Number of Years To Be Eligible for Permanent Residency
Here is a summary of the number of years required for foreign nationals to be eligible to apply for PR;
- France – 2 years
- Canada 2-3 years
- Norway – 3 years
- Singapore 3-5 years
- Australia 3-5 years
- New Zealand 3-5 years
- Finland 4 years
- Germany 4-5 years
- United Kingdom 5 years
- Portugal – 5 years
- Ireland – 5 years
- Netherlands – 5 years
- Italy – 5 years
Conclusion
Securing the permanent residency status of top foreign countries can be a dream come true. It allows you to travel freely, opens up more opportunities, and gives you the freedom to live in a peaceful, secure, and welcoming environment.
Countries like Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, Finland and many others offer several pathways for skilled migrants and international students to become permanent residents of their countries and contribute to national development.
The processes involved may be challenging, from securing admission or jobs to applying for and getting your visa approved for a study or work option. The right guidance however can make the process seamless and less challenging.
Source: scholarship region
