If you’re an international student or skilled worker dreaming of immigrating to Canada, earning a master’s degree from a Canadian institution might be one of the most effective ways to make it happen. Not only can it improve your profile under Canada’s Express Entry system, but it also unlocks valuable work experience opportunities that significantly strengthen your permanent residence (PR) prospects. CIC News
📈 How a Canadian Master’s Degree Helps With PR
Here’s how obtaining a master’s in Canada can boost your immigration journey:
🧠 Higher CRS Points
Canadian degrees carry weight in Canada’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) — the point system used to rank Express Entry candidates:
- A master’s degree earns 135 points under the core/human-capital factors.
- A Canadian master’s degree earns an extra 30 points in the “additional points” category.
This combination can dramatically raise your overall score. CIC News
Higher CRS scores mean better chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence under Express Entry — Canada’s main economic immigration system. CIC News
💼 Longer Work Authorization
After graduation, master’s graduates are typically eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) valid for up to three years. This allows you to gain Canadian work experience — a key eligibility factor for many PR pathways. CIC News
Canadian work experience helps you qualify for programs like the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), which is part of Express Entry and often leads to PR. IRCC Canada
📚 A Real-Life Example
Consider “Anna,” a 24-year-old project manager from India. Before studying in Canada, her CRS score was about 416 — too low for most PR draws in 2025. CIC News
Here’s how her profile changed after a one-year Canadian master’s and one year of Canadian work experience:
| Component | Before Master’s | After Master’s |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 110 | 110 |
| Education | 120 | 135 |
| Language | 136 | 136 |
| Canadian Work Experience | 0 | 40 |
| Skill Transferability | 50 | 88 |
| Additional Points | 0 | 30 |
| Total CRS | 416 | 539 |
With a score of 539, Anna would have qualified in most Express Entry draws in 2025. CIC News
🧩 Why This Strategy Works
⭐ Boost in Points
Simply upgrading from a foreign bachelor’s to a Canadian master’s can result in a 45-point increase in CRS points. Even moving from a Canadian bachelor’s to a Canadian master’s adds 30 points. CIC News
📍 Access to More PR Pathways
A Canadian degree plus work experience opens doors to categories like the Canadian Experience Class, which can be a more achievable route for many international graduates compared to skilled worker streams that don’t require local experience. IRCC Canada
🎓 Extra Benefits
✔️ Three-Year Work Permit: A master’s degree typically qualifies you for a PGWP — giving you time to gain valuable Canadian work experience. CIC News
✔️ Funding Opportunities: Many Canadian universities offer scholarships, assistantships, or funding that can cover tuition and even living costs for international master’s students. CIC News
✔️ Better Job Prospects: A Canadian degree often helps students find skilled work faster — which in turn supports PR eligibility. CIC News
📌 Final Thoughts
For many international students, a Canadian master’s degree is more than academic achievement — it’s a strategic immigration tool. If your CRS score isn’t competitive now, investing in advanced education in Canada could be the difference between waiting years or landing an invitation to apply for permanent residence. CIC News
