10 Countries that Offer Permanent Residency to International Students after Graduation

Many a time, some students studying in foreign countries wish to stay back in the countries to work. Unfortunately, not all countries offer partway to Permanent Residence permit to international students after graduation.

There are still some countries that offer post-study work opportunities and pathways to permanent residency. 

In this article we’re going to reveal top ten countries that offer these opportunities. So, if you intend to study in a country that would offer you post-study work opportunities and possible permanent residency, this article is for you. We will be revealing practical steps foreign students can follow to effectively transition from student life to a more fulfilling career life abroad.

These countries include

Canada

Australia

New Zealand

Sweden

France

Germany

Netherlands

Denmark

Singapore

Romania

Canada 

Canada has a streamlined PR pathways making it so attractive and top choice of international students who would want to stay back in the country of their studies and work. Canada has very flexible immigration system such as the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), which offers permanent residency opportunities to foreign students. Qualification for PR through this pathway is based on points awarded to the applicants on many criteria including Canadian work experience, education qualifications, and language (English or French) proficiency.

Australia 

Australia has Points-Bas d Immigration System that enables skilled workers and graduates of high-demand professions to reside permanently and work in the country. This allows international students to be eligible for permanent residency after graduation.

New Zealand

New Zealand has a Skill Migrant Category (SMC) visa, which allows international students to live and work in the country after graduation giving them pathway to getting permanent residency. This class of visa uses a point-based system which factors such as work experience, education, and age.

Sweden

Sweden’s Residence Permit for is Work is available to international students after working in Sweden for 4 years. As an international student if you are able to get work in Sweden upon graduation, after four years, you can apply for permanent residency.

France

France’s Temporary Residence and Talent Visa offers temporary residence permit to international graduating students to work in the country. After securing a job, it can be converted to a work permit. 

The Talent Visa also offers opportunities to highly skilled workers in key sector providing pathway to permanent residency.

Germany

Germany has visa category known as Job Seeker Visa for Graduates, which provides opportunities for skilled workers especially international graduates to work in Germany. The Germany’s Job Seekers Visa allows international students to stay in Germany for up to 18 months after graduation to enable them find employment, which will eventually accelerate their permanent residency process.

Denmark

Denmark’s Work-Bases Residence Permit offers international students the opportunity to apply for work permit upon graduation. After living and working for some years, the graduates may qualify for permanent residency.

Singapore

Singapore has Start-up Visa Programme, which allows entrepreneurs and investors to live and invest in Singaporean economy. So international students who wish to startup business in Singapore after graduation can leverage the programme to get permanent residency.

Romania

After graduating from a Romanian university as an international student, and you intend to stay and work in Romania, your can apply for permanent residency permit within 60 days of your graduation. To get the approval, you need a job offer from a Romanian employer and a work permit.