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Your graduate degree can lead to many different career paths, and potentially in new countries as well. Graduate and postdoc students can learn more about opportunities during the on Feb. 15. Get information about Canada’s Express Entry program from Hamsa Hneide, a Designated Migration Officer with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada.ÌýÌý

We reached out to Jennifer Carlile, First Secretary (Migration) in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to answer some questions about Express Entry and opportunities in Canada for those with an advanced degree.

Q: Why should a graduate student consider moving to Canada?

A: Canada is a destination of choice for people looking for a new place to work, study and build their lives. Canada has job opportunities, it is a great place to do business and it supports its immigrants with services for newcomers. Canada is great for families—it has one of the highest-quality education systems in the world; it has low crime rates and it is consistently ranked one of the safest countries in the world. And Canada is multicultural—respecting and celebrating different cultures and ideas is an essential part of Canadian values.

During the 2021 census, nearly one in four people counted were or had been an immigrant to Canada, the largest proportion among G7 countries. Last year Canada welcomed 431,645 newcomers surpassing our previous record from 2021. This represents the largest number of people ever welcomed in a year, in Canadian history. Prior to setting a , the last time Canada welcomed such a large number of newcomers was in 1913. The government is continuing its ambitious plans to increase immigration by setting annual targets growing to 500,000 by 2025. For more information, read our

Q: What is Express Entry, and how is it different from other immigration processes?

A: is Canada’s flagship application management system for those seeking to immigrate permanently through our skilled worker programs: the,, and a portion of the Provincial Nominee Program. Find out more about the , including finding out if you are eligible. Express Entry is unique amongst our immigration programs—instead of prioritizing applications on a first-in, first-out basis, Express Entry creates a pool of all available candidates who are ranked based on a human capital model and invites the top candidates to apply to immigrate to Canada.

Q: If I want to move to Canada, what is my first step? How long should I expect the process to take on average?

A: Anyone can immigrate to Canada provided they meet the qualifications. There are a number of avenues that applicants for permanent residence can consider in order to immigrate to Canada. Please consult the that is available on our website to determine the programs for which you may be eligible.

Each application is different and takes a different amount of time to process. Under Express Entry, once you receive an invitation to apply and complete the application process, our service standard is to process the majority of applications within six months or less.

Q: What kinds of opportunities exist in Canada for people with advanced degrees, like me?

A: Canada has experienced one of the fastest recoveries from the pandemic, thanks in large part to our approach to immigration; however, it still faces critical labor market shortages in sectors such as health care, manufacturing, building trades and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). Canada uses the Express Entry system to welcome newcomers with the required skills and qualifications in these and other sectors. Other regional immigration programs including the Provincial Nominee Program, the Atlantic Immigration Program and the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot address targeted local labor market needs.

Economic immigration helps Canada stay competitive and attract talent from around the world. Immigrants bring unique skill sets, innovative ideas and global experience, which help our economy and enrich our communities. We encourage you to explore our programs, connect with potential employers and apply to come to Canada!