LearnHub

Post-Graduation Work Permit Program

Now it’s a better choice than ever for International students to study in Canada, thanks to the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program.

This new program now allows most international students who have graduated from an eligible program at a post-secondary institution to gain valuable working experience in Canada. Plus with new regulations from Citizenship and Immigrations Canada, a minimum of one year within a managerial, professional or technical position after graduation will be enough to apply to stay permanently through the Canadian Experience Class.

Because of the extended nature of students’ work permits to three years, graduates are finding more and more flexibility to persue jobs within different fields to truly find what they like, rather than just doing some work within one area of study. Also, with the removal of a job offer requirement, students have more free reign concerning what they’d like to do.

According to CIC, to be eligible for the program, international students:

• Must have studied full-time for the eight months preceding the completion of their program of studies and have graduated from: o a public post-secondary institution, such as a college, university or CEGEP (in Quebec); or

  o a private post-secondary institution that operates under the same rules and regulations as public institutions, and that receives at least 50 percent of its financing for its overall operations from government grants (currently, only private college-level educational institutions in Quebec qualify); or

  o a Canadian private institution authorized by provincial or territorial statute to confer degrees.

  • Must apply for a work permit within 90 days of receiving written confirmation (for example, a transcript or an official letter) from the institution that they have met the requirements of the academic program.
  • Must have completed and passed the program of study and received a notification that they are eligible to obtain their degree, diploma or certificate.
  • Must have a valid study permit when they apply for the work permit.
    
    

Note that if the student’s program of study is less than two years but at least eight months, the student would be eligible for a post-graduate work permit. However, the validity period of the work permit must not be longer than the period of study of the graduate at the particular post-secondary institution in Canada.

International students not eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program include the following:

• Students participating in a Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program or a Government of Canada Awards Program funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

• Students receiving funding from the Canadian International Development Agency and participating in a distance learning program.

• Students who have previously been issued a post-graduation work permit after any other program of study. However, note that graduates who are already working with a work permit issued under the previous rules are eligible to apply for an extension.

It’s a great idea to look further into this work-study combination available in Canada. Not only can it kick-start your international career, but the opportunity to pursue more working initiatives in more time abroad is something not many people would like to pass up. For more information visit the resources provided by Citizenship and Immigration Canada!