Upon finishing their post-secondary academic programs, most professional students decide to stay in Canada after graduation to either live, work, or eventually get permanent residency. Interestingly, there are a few options for ways to get retained In Canada once with the education that probably took you there.
Graduating from a Canadian University is a remarkable milestone for most international students. Most people remain open to exploring other options to remain in the Country after graduation, which might seem like a stressful yet exciting opportunity.
So, being able to weigh your options and know what you want will help you easily navigate the immigration process without stress. Based on your duration of study, career aspirations, and readiness to exploit the pathways, you can stand a chance to stay in Canada after graduation.
Staying in Canada After Graduation
1. Get a Post-Graduation Work Permit
The most popular exploit option is applying for a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP). A PGWP is generally known as an open work permit, which means that holders of this permit can work for almost any employer in Canada. The PGWP is valid for six months to three years, depending on the duration of the program. Undergraduate or college academic programs shorter than eight months will not be eligible for a PGWP.
Application Window: Applicant must apply within 180 days of receiving final grades and an official completion letter from your institution.
If you encounter a delay while waiting for your transcript and your study permit expires, you can apply for a visitor record to legally remain in Canada. This means they can stay in Canada but won’t be permitted to work until their PGWP is approved.
Application Process for PGWP after Graduation
To be eligible for this, you need to make sure that you have a valid study permit. When applying, confirm the following:
- That you attended and fully completed your program
- Name and duration of your program
These can be confirmed by submitting the following;
- A degree of yours or a diploma
- Your transcript
- An official letter that states the completion of studies from your school.
2. Apply for a Different Work Permit Other than PGWP
Canada offers different work permit pathways for foreigners who aim to gain work experience to support their application for permanent residence. Applicants might be eligible for an open work permit via the International Mobility Program (IMP) or lucky enough to have an employer ready to sponsor them via the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
3. Visitor Records
Please note that visitor records and visitor Visas are different. Visitor records are specifically for those already in Canada who wish to prolong their stay. This is a considerable way to stay in Canada after graduation. This most frequently happens for Canadian foreign nationals as visitors; however, anyone with an expiring study or work permit can also apply.
A visitor record also allows holders to remain in Canada but not work during their stay. The period of validity for visitor records is up to the Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officer, who has the power to process the application, or the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer, whose work is to review the application at a Port Entry if the applicant decides to briefly leave Canada and immediately return.
Applicants who wish to remain in Canada after graduation must apply for the visitor record not less than 30 days before the expiration of their study permit.
4. Apply for a New Study Permit
On completing their Undergraduate college program or degree, some international students might as well decide to go for a second degree or diploma in a different subject or a graduate degree in their field of study.
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In this case, it will be advisable for applicants to apply for a new study permit. Notwithstanding, it will be important for new applicants to know that changes have been recorded regarding how international students are approved for a study permit. For instance, in January 2024, the required Cost of Living Increased to $20,635 from $10,000 for each student. Those looking forward to completing a second undergraduate or college program Compulsorily must obtain a Provincial Attestation Letter ( PAL).
Conclusion
If you’ve been looking for possible pathways to stay in Canada after graduation but are unsure of the exact path, I hope this article serves as a guide and gives you the answers you have been looking for.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can always apply for a three-year PGWP, even though the duration of your master’s program was less than 2 years, as long as you have met all eligibility criteria. Note that this does not apply to certificate or diploma programs.
There is no age limit for studying in Canada, and anyone can study legally.
The Canadian student visa is valid for six months to 5 years, depending on the course duration you are studying.
Approximately 60% of international students get jobs in Canada after graduation, according to the Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE) official data.
