From the U.S. to Canada

From OPT to Canadian PR: the complete playbook for U.S. graduates

You can apply for Canadian permanent residence without ever leaving the U.S. The constraint is time: your OPT or STEM OPT has an end date, and Express Entry needs at least a year of skilled work. This playbook turns that constraint into a schedule.

Updated November 2026 · 3 min read

The short answer

FSW's three hard requirements for U.S. graduates: one year of skilled (TEER 0–3) work, an ECA for your U.S. degree, and 67 FSW grid points, plus CLB 7 English and proof of funds.
Two ways around high general cut-offs: French-category rounds (NCLC 7) and occupation categories if your job is on IRCC's list that year.
If OPT ends before PR: options include an L-1 transfer to a Canadian office, a provincial nomination, or a Canadian study program as a bridge.
Start French in your first OPT year, not after a failed H-1B round.

1The three hard requirements

Work

1 year of skilled work

1,560 paid hours in one TEER 0–3 occupation. OPT work counts if paid. Internships during your degree usually don't.

Education

ECA for your degree

A U.S. master's assessed as a Canadian master's is worth 135 CRS points (single). See ECA.

Grid

67 FSW points

Age, education, experience, language, adaptability. Most U.S. master's graduates pass with CLB 9 English.

Full checklist: FSW requirements.

2Two category routes past the general cut-off

Route	What you need	2026 picture
French category	NCLC 7 in all four French skills	Regular rounds of 4,000–5,500; cut-offs ≈382–435
Occupation categories	Six months of experience in a listed occupation (healthcare, trades, STEM roles when selected, etc.)	Lists change year to year; check IRCC's current categories

French is the one you can choose regardless of occupation. If you also qualify for an occupation category, you have two chances.

3If OPT runs out first

L-1 to a Canadian office. Many large employers can move you to a Canadian office, giving you Canadian work experience toward CEC.
Provincial nomination. Some provinces nominate candidates with job offers or in-demand skills; a nomination adds 600 points.
A Canadian program. A one- or two-year program can keep you in status and add Canadian study points, at a high cost.
Francophone Mobility. With NCLC 5 oral French, a Canadian employer outside Quebec can hire you without an LMIA. See C16.

4The four-phase checklist

1
Phase 1 (OPT month 1–3)
Order ECA, book an English test, start French daily, confirm your NOC code.
2
Phase 2 (after 12 months of work)
Create the Express Entry profile with English results. Keep French on schedule.
3
Phase 3 (French B2)
Sit the TCF Canada; update your profile; gather reference letters and funds.
4
Phase 4 (ITA)
Submit within 60 days; decide on a bridge if your U.S. status ends during processing.

5Frequently asked questions

Does OPT work experience count for Express Entry?+

Yes, if it's paid, skilled (TEER 0–3) and in one occupation. It counts as foreign work experience for FSW and CRS.

Do I need a Canadian job offer as a U.S. graduate?+

No. FSW doesn't require a job offer, and job offers no longer add CRS points.

Keep reading

Didn't win the H-1B lottery? French as a route to Canadian PRPoints instead of a lottery: who qualifies from inside the U.S., sample scores, and a timeline.After Canadian PR: working in the U.S. on TN, L-1 or remotelyWhy the TN needs citizenship, how it works at the border, and the bridges before then.Federal Skilled Worker requirements for the French routeSkilled work, CLB 7, ECA, the 67-point grid and proof of funds: the checklist before you start.Francophone Mobility (C16): work in Canada without an LMIANCLC 5 oral French lets employers outside Quebec hire you with no LMIA. Steps, jobs, and the path to PR.

Turn the method into points

Practise with levelled TCF Canada questions and full mock exams built for NCLC 7, with an explanation for every answer.