How to Apply for Work Permit in Canada After Study – Are you in Canada? Did you study in Canada as an international student? Are you planning on extending your stay in Canada after studying? Are you planning on applying for a work permit in Canada after studying? If any of the above applies to you, then you are reading the right article.
In this article, we will cover all you need to know about applying for a work permit in Canada after studying. Keep reading to find out.
What is a Canada Work Permit?
Canada work permits also known as a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) is a work permit granted to international students who graduated from universities or colleges in Canada to enable them to work and reside in Canada. These colleges and universities are called Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI).Post-graduation work permit (PGWP) allows foreign nationals to work for any employer, anywhere in Canada.
This open work permit allows international students to stay back in Canada and work full time after graduating from a program of at least 8 months.You must not have a job offer to apply for a work permit in Canada and you can work anywhere, in any occupation even those unrelated to your study. The only exceptions are high-risk jobs that require a medical examination and risk exploitation like jobs in the health care or school settings.
Who is Eligible for a Canada Work Permit?
Before you start applying for a Canadian post-graduation work permit (PGWP), it is important to ensure that you are eligible. Below are the eligibility criteria to apply for the post-graduation work permit (PGWP).
- Applicants must be at least 18 years.
- They must have studied in Canada full time in a program that is at least 8 months in length that led to a degree, diploma, or certificate.
- Applicants must study and graduate from a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI) to be eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP)
- They must apply within 180 days of completing their studies in Canada.
- Applicants who apply within Canada with an expired or about to expire study permit may apply for a visitor status before proceeding with their application.
- Those who apply for a Canadian work permit before the expiration of their study permit are eligible to start working full-time right away, while their application is been processed. Applicants can apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) from overseas.
- Applicants applying from within Canada must possess a valid status at the time of application.
- They studied part-time during their last semester (final year) because of a lighter course load.
- Applicants who have finished a flight training course at a training center in Canada and have a Canadian commercial pilot license.
- Those who are in the process of receiving the instructor rating and work offer in the flight instructor position from a Canadian flight training center.
Applicants in the following levels of study and program are eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP);
- Public post-secondary institution, like a college, university, trade/technical school, or CEGEP in Quebec.
- A private post-secondary institution in Quebec that works under the same rules as public schools ( this only applies to certain schools in Quebec).
- Private secondary or post-secondary institution (in Quebec) that provides qualifying programs of 900 hours or more, that leads to a diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP) or an attestation de spécialisation professionnelle (ASP).
- A Canadian private institution that is accredited to award degrees (Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. degree) under the provincial law
Applicants with the special cases are eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP);
- Applicants who enrolled in an 8-month accelerated program but completed it in 6 months.
- Those that transferred from one Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI) to another and the combined duration spent studying at both institutions was more than 8 months.
Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates that are Valid for a Canadian Work Permit
Note: All valid degrees, diplomas, and certificates are issued in Canada by the Gouvernement du Québec.The degrees, diplomas, and certificates that qualify you for a Canadian work permit are;
- Diplôme d’études professionnelles (diploma in vocational studies —DEP)
- Attestation de spécialisation professionnelle (attestation of vocational specialization —ASP)
- Diplôme d’études collégiales (DEC—diploma in college studies)
- Attestation d’études collégiales (AEC—attestation of college studies)
For more information on the full eligibility criteria for a candidate work permit, visit the Government of Canada website at https://www.canada.ca/en.html
Ineligibility for a Canadian Work Permit
You are not eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP);
- If your study permit has expired longer than 180 days.
- If you have already received a post-graduation work permit (PGWP.
- You studied for less than 8 months in Canada.
- You took part in the Government of Canada Awards Program sponsored by Global Affairs Canada. (GAC)
- You have received sponsorship from Global Affairs Canada. Note: Those with a Study in Canada scholarship are still eligible for a Canadian work permit.
- You completed the major part of your study program via distance learning ( ie online courses, e-learning, or correspondence)
- You finished your study program at a non-Canadian institution located in Canada.
- You took part in the Canada-China Scholars’ Exchanges Program.
- You took part in the Organization of American States Fellowships Program.
- You received an Equal Opportunity Scholarship of Canada – Chile.
- You studied for longer than 8 months but not continuously ( for instance taking a whole semester off)
- If you transferred from a non-Canadian Designated Learning Institution (non-DLI) to a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI). You must spend a minimum of 8 months at the Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI) to qualify for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).
For more information about the “ineligibility” of a post-graduation work permit (PGWP), visit the Government of Canada website at https://www.canada.ca/en.html
How to Apply for Work Permit in Canada After Study
Once you have gone through the eligibility criteria above and you are qualified, the next step is to apply for the post-graduation work permit (PGWP). You can apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) from within or outside Canada, as long as you are qualified.Below are the steps to applying for a Canadian work permit.
Get your documents ready
Before applying for the work permit, you need to ensure that all required documents are ready. The documents needed to apply for a Canadian work permit are;
- The certificate or official document that proves you finished your program or an official transcript from a Quebec school board or accredited private school.
- A copy of your transcript from your school website can also be used instead of an official transcript from a Quebec school board.
- An official letter from your school of study that proves the duration of your study program (in hours or months) and the program code.
Apply online
The process of applying for a Canadian work permit is not complicated. You can either in person by submitting a paper application or through the Government of Canada website using your login (GCKey or bank details).
It is advisable to apply online because it is faster than paper applications. Plus, you can submit additional documents faster if you are requested to and the people in charge of receiving your application get it quickly.
To begin your application, go to the government of Canada website and fill out the forms below.
- IMM 5710 – Application to Change Condition, Extend my Stay, or Remain in Canada as a Worker.
- IMM 5409 – Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (if you have a common-law partner).
- IMM 5476 – Use of Representative (if you are permitting someone to apply for you).
- IMM 5475 – Authority to release personal information to a designated individual (if you are using a representative).
Apart from the above forms, you will also submit the following documents online;
- A copy of your valid passport;A copy of your present valid immigration documents like visitor visa, study permit, work permit, etc.
- Your last university transcript.
- A letter from your school proving you have graduated.A letter from your school proving the duration of your study program (in hours or months) and If you have studied in Quebec, the program code will be requested.
Once you have submitted all the required documents, you will be directed to make payment for the post-graduation work permit (PGWP) application.
After you have done everything, you will have to wait for the processing of your application. You will be notified via email or mail of their decision. If you are approved, you can start working immediately following the duration allocated to you.
How long does it take to get a Canadian Work Permit?
It takes between 80 to 180 days to process a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). During this period of waiting, you can work in Canada with your valid student permit.
How Long is a Canadian Work Permit Valid?
The length of your work permit depends on the official duration of your study program. It can range from 8 to 3 years. For instance, if you completed a 4-year undergraduate course in Canada, you are qualified for a 3-year work permit.
What are the fees for a Canadian Work Permit?
The post-graduation work permit (PGWP) is an open work permit, so it is more expensive than a study permit.You will have to pay an application fee before submitting your application for a Canadian work permit. The standard fee for a Canadian work permit is CAD$155 and an extra CAD$100 for the open work permit to get the post-graduation work permit (PGWP). So, in total, the application will cost about CAD$255.
When Should I Apply?
You can only apply for a Canadian work permit when you have received your letter of completion. Letter of completion proves that you have finished all program requirements. The date your letter of completion becomes obtainable is different from your diploma, conferral, and graduation ceremony.
For more information on all things “Canadian work permit” visit the Government of Canada website at https://www.canada.ca/en.html
Conclusion
Post-graduation work permits (PGWPs) commonly referred to as Canadian work permit is a document that allows foreign nationals to work and live in Canada after studying. It can open doors to a permanent residence for international students/workers. To get this permit you must be eligible.
We hope you found this article on”How to Apply for Work Permit in Canada After Study” helpful.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can get a Canadian work permit after studying by applying for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) from within or outside Canada. If you are eligible, you have up to 180 days after graduation to apply for the post-graduation work permit (PGWP)
The Canadian open work permit takes between 3 to 27 weeks to finish processing. The time frame it takes, sometimes depends on your country.After this time frame is exhausted, you will receive a decision from the Canadian Consulate.
Yes, you can bring your family to Canada on a work permit but they must apply to work or study in Canada or want to come to Canada. Family members can apply at the same time as you.
Reference
- https://www.canadim.com/work/open-work-permit/post-graduate-work-permit/
- https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/apply.html
- https://students.ubc.ca/career/career-resources/working-canada/post-graduation-work-permit#when-should-i-apply
- https://visaguide.world/canada-visa/temporary/work/pgwp/
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