Obtaining a master\u2019s degree from a Canadian postsecondary institution can significantly boost your chances of getting permanent residence.<\/p>\n
As a master\u2019s graduate, you can qualify for a three-year open work permit, helping you gain Canadian work experience to qualify for permanent residence pathways, and you will score higher in Canada\u2019s ranking system for selecting permanent residents.<\/p>\n
See your permanent residence eligibility and CRS score with CV+ Under Canada\u2019s Comprehensive Ranking System<\/a> (CRS), a master\u2019s degree awards a sole applicant 135 points under Core\/human capital factors, and a Canadian master\u2019s degree provides an extra 30 under the “Additional points” allocation of the CRS.<\/p>\n The candidates with the highest CRS scores receive invitations to apply<\/a> (ITAs) for permanent residence (PR) through Express Entry<\/a>, the management system for Canada\u2019s flagship PR programs.<\/p>\n Getting a master\u2019s degree can often make the difference between getting PR and not being invited.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s an example of a foreign national for whom a Canadian master\u2019s makes all the difference.<\/p>\n Anna\u2019s route to PR<\/p>\n Anna is a 24-year-old project manager from India. She has a bachelor\u2019s degree and two years of work experience in her home country. She speaks flawless English (CLB<\/a> 10).<\/p>\n Anna wants to immigrate to Canada to settle permanently, but CRS score is 416, far too low to expect to be invited under most Express Entry draws, which have seen cut-off scores from 515 to 547 for CEC draws in 2025.<\/p>\n Anna applies to Canadian master\u2019s programs, is accepted, gets a study permit, and completes a one-year master\u2019s at the University of Toronto.<\/p>\n After graduating, she obtains a three-year post-graduation work permit<\/a> (PGWP), and works for a Canadian employer as a project manager for one year.<\/p>\n Over two years, Anna\u2019s CRS has risen to 539\u2014simply from having gained a Canadian master\u2019s degree and one year of Canadian work experience. She is also now eligible for the Canadian Experience Class<\/a> (CEC) PR pathway.<\/p>\n With a CRS score of 539, Anna would have qualified for 13 out of 15 CEC draws in 2025.<\/p>\n
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