New Online Tool Helps International Students Explore Study-to-Residency Pathways

Over the past two years, the international team at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) has been working behind the scenes to develop a new online tool designed to help prospective and current international students explore potential pathways to work, study, and remain in Canada.

“The KPU immigration planner is a practical resource to help international students better understand how their academic choices may connect to longer-term immigration and post-graduation goals,” says Indra Manhas, Director, Global Engagement, KPU International. “With immigration pathways becoming more complex, it was important for us to create something that improves transparency and helps students make more informed decisions. It really reflects our commitment to providing practical, student-focused support throughout the student journey,” she concludes.

The tool was developed using QuestionPro, a cloud-based survey platform, and was a collaborative effort across multiple university departments. The project involved compiling information on all 75 of KPU’s programs, along with the CIP (Classification of Instructional Programs) codes used to determine each program’s PGWP eligibility.

Users have the option to navigate the tool as either a prospective student, which shows immigration study options, or as a current student, which shows specific pathways to immigration they might be able to take after they graduate.

Since its launch, more than 3,000 users have accessed the immigration planner. The tool has also attracted interest from other Canadian universities, and KPU’s international team has been meeting with these institutions to share their knowledge and experience.

While the tool is still in its early stages, the team hopes to continue to expand its content to include career pathway outcomes and to pilot additional functionality in specific program areas.