Work after graduation

Work after graduation

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

  • Complete your study experience in Canada and earn advanced degrees.
  • Come home with a Canadian degree, diploma, or degree and work experience that is highly respected all over the world.
  • Get more work experience in Canada.

Work in Canada after graduation: qualify for permanent residency in Canada

Gaining more work experience in Canada after graduation can greatly help you in obtaining your Canadian permanent residency. Eligible students holding a Canadian study visa or Canadian study permit can obtain Canadian permanent residence under many federal or provincial immigration programs without leaving Canada.

Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)

Postgraduate work permit gives international students the opportunity to work after graduation by granting a Canadian work permit for a period of up to 3 years. PGWP is exempt from the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirements.

The candidate must have attended a recognized post-secondary school, or a high school that offers qualifying programs, for a period of at least 8 months.

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Requirements:

  • Study full-time in Canada in a program of at least 8 months duration.
  • Graduate from a private post-secondary institution, or a private institution licensed by provincial law to award degrees and certificates.
  • Submit an application for a work permit within 90 days after receiving written confirmation to complete the study program.
  • Receive notification of eligibility to obtain a degree, diploma or certificate.
  • Possess a valid Canadian study visa or Canadian study permit.

Canadian Experience Class

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

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Requirements:

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

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

This program allows international students who have graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution to participate in receiving a nomination from a Canadian province or territory for permanent residence without leaving Canada.

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Requirements:

  • Intend to reside in the nominating province or territory.
  • Submit an application directly to the province or territory that will evaluate the PNP application.
  • Submit a separate application to the Canadian Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration to obtain permanent residency in Canada.
  • Pass the medical examination.
  • Pass a security check and a criminal background.

 

Nova Scotia also runs Study and Stay, a program specifically aimed at helping international students from China, India and the Philippines to stay and build jobs in the province after they graduate.

The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) - Quebec graduate

The Quebec Graduate Stream allows qualified international students with a valid study permit to apply for permanent residency after successful completion of accredited full-time studies in a qualifying study program in Quebec and after collecting the required work experience.

The processing time for the program is 6 months.

A series of changes to the requirements for the PEQ Program were made on July 22, 2020. There is also a series of transitional measures in place for some candidates who were already in Quebec when the requirements were changed.

International students who have the required financial resources and other qualifications must first obtain admission to a qualifying study program and must obtain a study permit to study in Canada.

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Eligibility requirements for the PEQ Program (Quebec Graduate Stream):

Completing one of the following qualifying diplomas:

  • Bachelor’s degree (university student).
  • MA / PhD.
  • DEC – Diploma in University Studies and Technical Training.
  • DEP – Diploma in Professional Studies. By completing 1800 hours of study or more.
  • DEP followed by ASP – Certificate of Professional Specialization) with a minimum of 1,800 hours of continuing education that leads to a particular trade.

You must have resided temporarily in Quebec for at least half of the study program under a study permit and respect the conditions of your residency.

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