Aside from obtaining a high-quality education from Canadian educational institutions, foreign students can become a permanent resident of Canada, after their studies, under some programs such as Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program.
If foreign nationals plan to study in programs under six months, they do not need to obtain study permit. However, if foreign nationals need to study in programs at a designated learning institution (DLI) for more than six months, they will need a study permit.
Foreign nationals need to:
- show proof of:
- a Letter of Acceptance
- ability to pay the tuition fees
- ability to be self-supporting, including family
- ability to cover the transportation cost to and from Canada
- pass the IRCC medical examination, if required
Steps to obtain a study permit
The applicants should take the following steps to receive their study permit:
Minors
Depending on the province, individuals below the ages of 18 or 19 are considered minors. The following minors do not need a study permit:
- Attending kindergarten
- Are refugees or refugee claimants or children of refugees and refugee claimants
- Are already in Canada and their parents have been granted permission to work or study in Canada. These minors plan to attend pre-school, primary or secondary school
Work for foreign students
Depending on the place of work, international students may need to obtain work permit if they need to earn an extra income:
- No permit is necessary for on-campus work
- No work permit is needed for some off-campus work:
- Up to 20 hours per week is permitted during regular academic sessions
- Full-time work is permitted during scheduled breaks, such as the winter and summer holidays or spring breaks
- Work permits are required for co-op programs or internships, if it does not form more than 50% of the total program
Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP)
This program helps the graduates to qualify for permanent residence (PR) in Canada through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). This program applies to the graduates from a post-secondary institution (colleges or universities).
The open work permit may be issued for the length of the study program, up to a maximum of three years and cannot be valid for longer than the program. For example, a graduate from a 10-month certificate program would be eligible for a work permit that is valid for no more than ten months.
To be eligible for PGWPP, the study program must be a minimum of eight months in length and full-time.
The employer of the foreign national who receives an open work permit under PGWPP does not need to obtain a positive labour market impact assessment (LMIA).
For example, if you take a program at a Canadian DLI (e.g., a college or university) of at least two years in duration, you can obtain a full, three-year Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This length will provide you with three years to get enough qualifying Canadian work experience to become eligible for more immigration programs.
Applicants can receive only 1 post-graduation work permit in their lifetime.
Let V-Land Immigration assist you to make sure your study permit application is complete and submitted on time so you can attend and enjoy the reputable Canadian schools, colleges and universities.