How to work in Canada after Graduation

 
After completing their studies, many students choose to live in Canada only because there are a lot of job opportunities in Canada for Indian students as well as international students. But before starting working, students must know what they need to work in Canada. To work in Canada a student must have either a post-graduation work permit, employer-specific work permit or an open work permit.

Read this blog to learn about all these work permits, their eligibility criteria, duration and permanent residence options to work in Canada.

Post-Graduation Work Permit

Eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit

• Completed an academic, vocational or professional program of a minimum of 8 months in duration from a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution.
  
• Apply for PWGP within 180 days from the date of completing Graduation.
  
• A valid study permit.
  
• Maintained status of a full-time student during each semester of the study program in Canada

Special cases

There are some exceptional cases when an international student is eligible for PGWP as follows.

•  Accelerated Program
  If students have completed the program in less time than the normal length of the program, then they may be eligible for a PGWP.
  
  
• Transfers between schools
  If students are transferred between DLIs (designated learning institutions), the combined length of studies must be eight months to be eligible.
  
  If students are transferred from a non-DLI to a DLI, then only the time spent at DLI will be counted, which should be a minimum of 8 months.
  
  
• Programs with an overseas component
  If students have completed a program in Canada with an overseas component, they are eligible for PGWP.

What makes an applicant ineligible?

The applicant will be ineligible for the permit and get job opportunities in Canada

• Have previously issued a post-graduation work permit
  
• Have enrolled as a part-time student in your program
  
• Obtained an equal-opportunity scholarship
  
• Participated in the organization of the American States Fellowships Program
  
• Have received funding from Global Affairs Canada(GAC)

Duration of PGWP

The duration of PGWP depends on the length of the program as follows:

• If the program is less than eight months, students are not eligible for a PGWP.
  
• If the program is between 8 months and two years then PGWP will be valid the same length as the study program.
  
• If the program is longer than two years, the PGWP given will be valid for three years.
  
• If students have completed more than one program, they will get PGWP, provided each program they completed was at least eight months.

Processing time and fee

 

The processing time for PGWP will vary according to the following parameters:

• Type of application submitted.
  
• Easiness of verification of application.
  
• Number of applications received.
  
• Whether the application is completed.
  
• How quickly students respond to concerns and requests.

The current processing time for online applications stands at 141 days, while paper-based applications are taking 19 days for processing. It's important to note that these processing times can fluctuate throughout the year. The fee for PGWP is $250 to $300 CAN approximately, and the restoration of PGWP is $600 to $650 CAN approximately which is subject to change.

Get your documents ready

To apply for PWGP, students must give proof of their studies completion. For that, the applicant can show any of the following documents:

• A degree or diploma
  
• An official letter from the school
  
• An official transcript from the school’s website

Other permits

If students are not eligible for PGWP, they can still work in Canada with the help of 2 work permits, which are an Employer-specific work permit and an Open work permit. Let's know about them.

Employer-specific work permit

An Employer-specific work permit allows students to work according to conditions which include:

• Name of employer students can work for
  
• How long they can work
  
• The location they can work (if applicable)

Open work permit

An Open work permit allows students to work for any employer in Canada except for an employer:

• Who is listed as ineligible on the list of employers who failed to comply with the conditions.
  
• Who regularly offers erotic dance, escort service or erotic massages.
  

Permanent Residence Options

The students can also get permanent residence and can live forever in Canada. There are two ways to do the same. First is the Canadian Experience Class and second is Provincial nominee program. Let's understand both.

Canadian Experience Class

The Canadian Experience Class program allows international students who graduated from a participating Canadian post-secondary institution to get Canadian permanent residence.

Requirements

• Graduation from a Canadian post-secondary institution with at least one year of full-time skilled work.
  
• Must have 12 months of work experience in Canada under a work or study visa.
  
• Submit an application within one year after leaving Canada or while working in Canada.
  
• Possess a valid language assessment.
  

Provincial nominee programs

The international students who graduated from a participating Canadian post-secondary institution can get Canadian permanent residence through Provincial nominee programs.

Requirements

• Submit an application.
  
• Pass a medical examination.
  
• Submit a separate application to Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Conclusion

International students can get part-time jobs in Canada but to work full time they must have a permit. There are 3 types of work permits students can apply for which are Post-graduation work permit, Employer-specific work permit and open work permits. Further, students can also get permanent residence in Canada through programs like Permanent Residence Options and Provincial nominee programs. Connect with Canam consultants to learn more about studying in Canada.