Many international students finishing their post-secondary academic programs wish to remain in Canada after graduation to live, work, and eventually become permanent residents!
Graduating from a university in Canada is a significant milestone for international students; Canada provides comprehensive options for them to explore the various options available to remain in the country.
Post-graduation can seem daunting, but it presents an exciting opportunity. So, evaluating your choices should be based on your career aspirations, study duration, and readiness to navigate the immigration process.
This article will explore five options for international students to remain in Canada after graduation.
1. Obtain a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
The PGWP is a popular route for many international graduates, giving them up to three years of valuable Canadian work experience, depending on the length of their academic program.
You may be eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) if you graduated from a designated learning institution (DLI) and want to stay in Canada temporarily to work. However, graduation from a DLI doesn’t automatically make you eligible for a PGWP.
Eligibility Criteria to Apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit
- You must be 18 years old.
- Programs under eight months are ineligible for a PGWP.
- Programs of 2 years or more are eligible for a PGWP for up to 3 years.
- Have completed any full-time degree program from reputed Canadian institutes.
- You have the authorization letter or document from the Institute for completing your degree program. This is one of Canada’s most essential requirements for a post-graduate work permit.
- You must apply within 180 days of receiving your institution’s final grades and official completion letter.
- Ensure you have a valid study visa while applying for a work permit in Canada after graduation.
Processing Time for Canada Post-Graduation Work Permit
According to the Canadian government’s official website, the processing time for a post-graduate work permit in Canada is 83 to 90 days. It is important to note that this period may vary from case to case.
If you are awaiting your transcript and your study permit expires, apply for a legal visitor record to remain in Canada.
2. Extend with a Visitor Record
Another option for international students to remain in Canada after graduation is to apply for a visitor record. A visitor record is different from a visitor visa!
Visitor records are for individuals already in Canada and wish to extend their stay. This happens most frequently for foreigners in Canada as visitors, but anyone with an expiring work or study permit may also apply.
Again, a visitor record allows holders to remain in Canada but are not permitted to work there. The validity period of the visitor record is under the control of the Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officer who processes the application.
Or a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer who reviews the application at a Port of Entry should the applicant leave Canada briefly and immediately return. Applicants must apply at least 30 days before their study permit expires.
Use this temporarily while you sort out your next steps in Canada.
3. Explore Other Work Permits
Canada offers several work permit programs to help strengthen your application for permanent residency:
- International Mobility Program (IMP): Offers flexibility to work for various employers.
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP): Employers can sponsor you for specific job offers.
4. Apply for Further Studies
International graduates who complete an undergraduate degree or college program may decide to go for a second degree or diploma in a different subject or a graduate degree in their field of study.
In this case, applicants should apply for a new study permit. Potential applicants should note that there have been some recent changes to how international students are approved for a study permit.
For instance, as of January 2024, the Cost of Living Requirement increased from $10,000 to $20,635 for a single student, and those who wish to complete a second undergraduate degree or college program must obtain a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL).
However, master’s and other graduate-level international students are exempt from obtaining a PAL. They may be eligible for a three-year PGWP after graduation, even if their academic program is shorter than two years.
Those pursuing this pathway should only apply for a PGWP once they complete their second academic program, as PGWPs are only granted once.
5. Transition to Permanent Residency
Transforming your temporary stay into permanent residency is achievable with Canadian education and work experience. Programs like Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under the Express Entry facilitate this transition for those with Canadian work experience.
Additionally, these pathways provide opportunities to improve your career in Canada and open the way for a potential permanent stay there.
Work Permit Rules in Canada After Graduation
Now, there are specific rules and regulations. The discussion below might help you get a rough idea before you go deep into the matter and conclude your stay after studying in Canada.
- Suppose you have completed any course from a reputed Canadian institute for two years and have work experience of one year in any skilled position. In that case, you can apply for permanent residence in the Canadian Experience Class.
- You can also be subjective in your eligibility for permanent residency through another system known as the Provincial Nominee Program.
- A point system was introduced in the new regulation, effective November 2016. According to this system, an international student can earn 15 points if they complete a full-time year to a two-year degree program after secondary education.
- Suppose you have completed a full-time Master’s program when you enrolled for a doctoral fellowship or any course program for three years at a post-secondary level. In that case, you are eligible to earn 30 points.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long can an international student stay in Canada after graduation?
International students can remain in Canada after their studies according to the study period they have spent pursuing their courses in Canada.
For instance, if they have pursued a two-year program, they can stay in Canada for two more years. They can apply online for a work permit in Canada after graduation.
2. How long is the work permit after studying in Canada?
You can get a work permit for the duration of your study course. If you pursue 16 months of study in Canada, you will get a 16-month-long work permit.
If you studied for three years, you get the three-year validity on the work permit, and so on.
3. Can I stay in Canada after my work permit expires?
Yes, you can stay for a few more days and do what is necessary to stay longer. You should apply in the first 90 days after it expires to restore your work visa.
If you apply for it accordingly, you can stay in Canada until you get further directions, but you will only be allowed to work once your work permit is restored.
4. How do you apply for a work permit in Canada after studying?
Before you apply for a post-graduate work permit in Canada, check your eligibility after your studies. Firstly, you will need an official letter from your institution confirming your completion of the study program and an official transcript.
With these documents, you can apply for a work permit in Canada after studying in any part of the world.
5. Can I stay in Canada after my student visa expires?
Yes, you may stay in Canada as a temporary resident until the decision on your new permit application is made, on the condition that your visa extension application was submitted before the expiry of your legal stay.
Upon the expiration of your study permit, you must stop any activities stated in the original study permit and receive a new one once the license expires.
You can also apply for a work visa after studying in Canada from your home country if you are forced to leave the country.
6. Can I stay in Canada after Masters?
You can stay in Canada after the master’s. There are two options for you. First, you can continue your studies with a new visa.
Second, you can apply for a work visa and work after studying in Canada. You will get to stay in Canada after your master’s only for the duration you have studied there.
7. How do you get permanent residence in Canada after one year of study?
To qualify for the PR application, the applicants must have at least 12 months of work experience in Canada in a skilled occupation. Also, candidates must apply within three years after obtaining one year of qualifying work experience.
You can apply for PR while on a post-work permit in Canada if you meet the requirements of the Canadian immigration program.