Students
Every year over 130,000 foreign students come to study in Canada which is home to some of the world's most prestigious universities including McGill University, the University of Toronto, and the University of British Columbia, as well as, internationally-recognized vocational schools and colleges.
If you would like to study in Canada you must first apply to a recognized school, college or university and receive a letter of acceptance. You must then apply for a study permit or a temporary resident visa, though not everyone must have these documents. You must also prove that you have enough money to pay for your tuition and living expenses for the duration of your studies.
If you would like to study in the Province of Quebec you must also apply for a Quebec Acceptance Certificate, the official document issued by the Quebec Provincial Government authorizing you to study in the province.
Working While Studying
While you are completing your studies in Canada it is possible to work, although you must apply for a work permit.
Working after Graduation
If you would like to gain valuable work experience in Canada after graduation you must apply for a work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program. A work permit issued under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program cannot be valid longer than the duration of your study program.
Transitioning from a Student Visa to Permanent Residency – What You Need to Know
There are a number of ways to transform a student visa into Permanent Resident (PR) status. With a little motivation and advance planning, they will be able to identify and take steps to apply to the PR program best suited to their education and experience.
Before applying for Permanent Residency
International students nearing completion of their studies should not wait until graduation to think about their future immigration goals. The correct path to PR will be determined by a number of factors, such as where they went to school, what level of education they received, and whether or not they have secured employment.
If a student is thinking about staying in Canada after graduation, it is usually prudent to apply for and receive a Post-Graduate Work Permit. This permit can be issued for the length of the program of study that was completed, with a maximum time period of 3 years. In order to be eligible for this temporary permit, students must have studied full-time in Canada in a degree/diploma program that lasted at least 8 months. An application for a Post-Graduate Work Permit must be submitted within 90 days of graduation.
Post-Graduate Work Permits are “open” work permits, meaning that the permit holder will be allowed to fill any job in the Canadian labour market. They will allow the student to find a job and begin supporting themselves as they settle into post-graduation life. Holding a full-time job, preferably in a position classified as ‘skilled’ by the Canadian government, helps to increase the number of program options the student will have when they apply for PR.
Canadian Experience Class
Unlike many Canadian permanent residency programs, it does not require that the applicant secure a job offer. It is intended for graduates who will be living outside of Quebec.
Applicants must have graduated from a qualified Canadian post-secondary institution and garnered at least one year of full-time, skilled work experience in Canada. Their studies must have consisted of at least two years of full-time post-secondary study. Alternatively, they can consist of one year of full-time graduate study in addition to another year of pre-graduate study. Studies must have resulted in some form of degree. Applicants may apply while working in Canada, or within one year of leaving their job.
Transitioning from a Student Visa to Permanent Residency – What You Need to Know
There are a number of ways to transform a student visa into Permanent Resident (PR) status. With a little motivation and advance planning, they will be able to identify and take steps to apply to the PR program best suited to their education and experience.
Provincial Nominee Programs
Graduates should apply to the PNP program in their province of residence. An individual living and working in Saskatchewan, for instance, cannot apply to the PNP program in Manitoba. If choosing to apply to a PNP program, a graduate should be sure to feel confident in their decision to reside in the province through the duration of the application process.
Quebec-Specific Programs
Students who graduate from a Quebec post-secondary institution may be eligible for the Quebec Experience Class (Programme de l’expérience Québécoise/PEQ) program. This is Quebec’s version of the Canadian Experience Class, though each have separate rules and requirements. Generally speaking, students must have graduated and obtained a diploma from a Quebec post-secondary institution, and completed at least an intermediate-level French course. Graduates from a school outside of Quebec may apply to the Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) program. This program functions on a points system, and their overall desirability as an immigrant to Quebec will be assessed.
Special Considerations for PhD Candidates
Candidates pursuing a PhD in Canada may be eligible to apply for PR without acquiring a job offer. The Federal Skilled Worker program has an immigration stream dedicated to these applicants. Individuals must have completed at least two years of their PhD program, or apply within 12 months of graduation. Additionally, they must not be the recipient of any award that requires them to return to their home country. A maximum of 1,000 applications in this stream will be accepted for processing each year.
Applicants in this category must also meet the general requirements for the Federal Skilled Worker program, such as demonstrating one year of full-time skilled work experience in the past 10 years and qualifying according to the Federal Skilled Worker points system.
Quebec-Specific Programs
Students who graduate from a Quebec post-secondary institution may be eligible for the Quebec Experience Class (Programme de l’expérience Québécoise/PEQ) program. This is Quebec’s version of the Canadian Experience Class, though each have separate rules and requirements. Generally speaking, students must have graduated and obtained a diploma from a Quebec post-secondary institution, and completed at least an intermediate-level French course. Graduates from a school outside of Quebec may apply to the Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) program. This program functions on a points system, and their overall desirability as an immigrant to Quebec will be assessed.
Additional Considerations
Students, especially graduate students, who have specialized in high-demand fields, may find that in certain provinces their applications will be fast-tracked. These fields of work are commonly in areas such as health, science, and engineering.
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