Study in Canada: Work After Graduation

  • Home
  • -
  • Study in Canada: Work After Graduation

Study in Canada: Work After Graduation

There are many options available to you after you have completed your study in Canada program.

  • Continue your study in Canada experience and pursue advanced degrees
  • Return home with a Canadian degree, diploma or certificate and work experience which is highly respected around the world
  • Get more work experience in Canada

Work in Canada after Graduation: Qualify for Canadian permanent residence

Gaining more work experience in Canada after graduation can go a long way towards helping you become a Canadian permanent residence. Qualified students on a Canada study visa or Canada study permit can get Canadian permanent residence under many Federal or Provincial immigration programs without leaving Canada.

Post Graduation Work Permit

The Post Graduation Work Permit gives international students the chance to work after graduation by granting a Canada work permit for up to three years.

The PGWP is exempt from Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirements.

The candidate must have attended a recognized post-secondary school, or a secondary school that offers qualifying programs, for at least eight months.

Requirements:

  • Studied full time in Canada in a program of at least 8 months duration
  • Graduated from a public post-secondary institution, a private post-secondary institution, or a private institution authorized by provincial statute to confer degrees
  • Submit an application for a work permit within 90 days after receiving written confirmation of completing a study program
  • Received notification of eligibility to obtain a degree, diploma or certificate
  • Possess a valid Canada study visa or Canada study permit

Canadian Experience Class

This federal program allows international students who have graduated from a participating Canadian post-secondary institution to get Canadian permanent residence without leaving Canada.

Requirements:

  • Graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution with at least 1 year of full-time (or equivalent) skilled work experience in Canada.
  • Possess 12 months of continuous work experience in Canada under a work visa or study visa
  • Submit an application while working in Canada – or – within 1 year after leaving Canada
  • Possess a valid language assessment (from a recognized third party agency approved by Citizenship and Immigration Canada)
  • Intend to reside outside the province of Quebec

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

This program allows international students who graduated from a participating Canadian post-secondary institution to receive nomination by a Canadian province or territory Canadian permanent residence without leaving Canada.

Requirements:

  • Intend to reside in the nominating province or territory
  • Submit an application directly to the province or territory that will assess the provincial nomination program PNP application
  • Submit a separate application to Citizenship and Immigration Canada for Canadian permanent residence
  • Pass a medical examination
  • Pass a security and criminal background check

Nova Scotia also operates ‘Study and Stay’, a program specifically aimed at helping international students from China, India and the Philippines stay and build careers in the region after they graduate.