International Students Face Setbacks in Canada’s PNPs — Still Hope in Express Entry

Both provinces announced that they are scaling back or pausing pathways specifically designed for international graduates. These changes come as provinces across Canada grapple with reduced immigration nominations from the federal government. In other words, this isn’t a sign that Canada’s province’s are less invested in international students and their success in or contributions to Canada. Instead, it’s a sign that Canada’s provinces are being asked to choose between prioritizing international students and workers in critical industries, like healthcare and construction. And, some provinces have selected to prioritize these industries with critical demand.  

If you’re an international student in Canada, especially one nearing graduation or working on a post-graduation work permit (PGWP), these announcements may feel like the door to permanent residence is closing. 

But here’s the good news: while some PNP options are narrowing, there is a focus on in-Canada immigration through Express Entry. And that might just be your best bet going forward. 

What’s Happening: A Tough Week for International Students

BC PNP Paused for 2025 

British Columbia has hit pause on general and priority-targeted invitations under its Skills Immigration system for the remainder of 2025. The reason? A significant cut to its federal nomination allocation. 

In 2025, B.C. received just 4,000 nomination spots — a 50% drop compared to previous recent years. But the province already had more than 5,200 applications in its inventory when it learned of this cap. As a result, B.C. is now focused on nominating a smaller group of people who can make the highest economic impact. 

Here’s what that means in practice: 

• Only 1,100 new applications will be accepted this year, mainly from health authority employees, entrepreneurs, and other high-impact workers. 

• The remaining 2,900 spots will go toward processing the backlog of applications already submitted. 

• The BC PNP does not expect to issue general or occupation-specific invitations to apply (ITAs) for the rest of the year. 

• A limited number of ITAs will go to candidates in the registration pool who show the potential to drive significant economic value. That’s 100 people — out of more than 10,000 already in the system. 

• Applications under the International Post-Graduate (IPG) stream submitted between September 2024 and January 2025 will be waitlisted, with no guaranteed nomination. 

B.C. has also paused plans to launch three new student streams until their federal nomination numbers recover. In other words, the province is tightening the tap — and international students are among those feeling the squeeze. 

New Brunswick Student Stream Cancelled 

Meanwhile, New Brunswick announced that the New Brunswick Student Connection stream will not return in 2025. This pathway, introduced in 2023, was designed to give international graduates from NB institutions a more direct route to permanent residence. Its cancellation marks another setback. 

That said, some students with job offers in New Brunswick may still qualify under the: 

• New Brunswick Employment Pathway (under the NB Express Entry stream) 

• Skilled Worker stream, if they meet eligibility requirements 

However, the province is no longer accepting applications from candidates with job offers in several common entry-level roles. These include cooks, food service supervisors, retail managers, and administrative assistants — positions often held by recent graduates working to gain Canadian experience. 

Why Is This Happening? 

These policy changes are part of a broader shift in Canada’s immigration system. The federal government sets annual nomination limits for each province under their respective PNPs. In 2025, those numbers dropped significantly, especially in high-demand provinces like B.C. 

This is happening at a time when application volumes remain high. There are simply more people trying to stay in Canada than there are nomination spaces available. Provinces are now being asked to focus on their most critical labour needs — like healthcare and entrepreneurship — over broader, more inclusive pathways. 

This is frustrating news for many, especially those who followed the “study-work-immigrate” model that Canada has promoted for years.