Most international students who come to Canada in order to complete their post-secondary education ultimately desire to stay and/or obtain work experience in the country. This is possible through the Post-Graduate Work Permit Program.
The Post-Graduate Work Permit Program is being governed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Because of the great need for qualified workers within the country, it is the vision of IRCC to retain international students by enabling them to obtain a Three Year Open Work Permit. This permit allows them to obtain employment from any Canadian employer in any industry. It is not necessary for the international student to have a Canadian job offer at the time he/she applies for a permit.
Eligibility Criteria
Any international student must meet the eligibility criteria listed below in order to obtain a work permit.
- Have obtained full-time, continuous study for eight months prior to completion of their program (See Note on Potential Applicants Below) AND have graduated from:
- A public post-secondary institution, specifically college, technical or trade school, university or CEGEP (in the province of Quebec);
- A private post-secondary institution operating under the same rules and regulations as public-secondary institutions
- A private secondary or post-secondary institution (in Quebec) that offers qualifying programs having a duration of 900 hours or longer, which culminates in the issuance of a Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS) or Attestation of Vocational Specialization (AVS); or
- A Canadian private institution with an authorization via a provincial statute to confer academic degrees (Ex. Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate), but only if the international student is enrolled in one of the study programs that will lead to the issuance of a degree, as authorized by the province, and not in any other study program offered by the private institution.
- Have applied for a work permit within 90 days of receiving written confirmation from their academic institution that they have passed and fulfilled all the requirements of their study program;
- Have completed and passed their study program and received written notification of their eligibility to obtain a degree, diploma, or certificate; AND
- Possesses a valid study permit during application for the work permit.
Important Notice on Potential Applicants
Potential applicants to the study program should take note of the following important reminders….
- The study program of an international student should have a minimum duration of two years in order for the graduate to obtain the Three Year Work Permit. There are two special considerations…
- If said study program has a duration of less than two years, but is longer than eight months, it is still possible for the graduate to obtain a work permit for the same duration as their study program.
- If the international student obtained a one year degree or diploma from an accredited academic institution within two years after successful completion of a previous accredited post-secondary degree or diploma, they are qualified for a three year open work permit.
- Although the international student is presumed to have obtained full time study within the eight months prior to the application date for an open work permit, an exception can be made if the student fulfilled all the requirements, with the exception of full time study, in their last session of their study program. As an example, it is still possible for an international student to apply for the Post-Graduate Work Permit Program if only two courses are needed in the final session to complete and pass the program, and all previous studies have been full time.
For more information about the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program, you may contact us via the contact details below. We will be glad to assist you in obtaining your work permit.
