Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (for international students studying for min 8 months in Canada)

If you want to work in Canada after you graduate from your studies, you must apply for a work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program. (Source:a)

About the program in one snapshot (as extracted from various documents and links mentioned later)

1. Job Offer letter required for applying
2. Job has to be in the field of study
3. Employer doesn't need labour market opinion from Service Canada/Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC)
4. Apply within 90 days of final mark issue
5. Get a letter of study completion from college or a notification of graduation
6. Have valid student permit at time of application
7. Person can leave Canada with new documents (point need to be checked further)

Post-Graduation Work Permit Program: The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program allows students who have graduated from a participating Canadian post-secondary institution to gain valuable Canadian work experience in their field of studies. This program allows all participants to work up to one year in the Montréal, Toronto or Vancouver areas, and to work up to two years everywhere else in Canada. (Source: a)

A work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program cannot be valid for a longer period than the length of your studies. For example, if you graduate from a four-year degree program, you could be eligible for a one- or two-year work permit if you meet the criteria. If you graduate from an eight-month certificate program, you would be eligible for a work permit that is valid for no more than eight months.(Source: a)

Who may apply for a work permit of up to one year under this program? (Source: b)

You may apply for a work permit of up to one year if you:

• graduated from a program of full-time study (of at least eight months) at:
  • a public post-secondary institution; or
  • a private post-secondary institution that operates under the same rules and regulations as a public institution, receives at least 50 percent of its financing for its overall operations from government (currently, only private college-level educational institutions in Quebec fit that description); or
  • a Canadian private institution authorized by provincial law to confer degrees.
• have a job offer from an employer for a job that is related to your field of studies;
• have a valid study permit when you apply for the work permit; and
• have not previously been issued a work permit for post-graduation employment following any other course of study.

 

Working after graduation—How to apply (Source:c)

If you want to work after completing your studies in Canada, you must apply for a post-graduation work permit, if you meet all of the eligibility requirements.

There are five steps to apply for the post-graduation work permit:

1. Obtain an application kit
2. Read the guide.
3. Complete the application form and attach the necessary documents.
4. Pay the fee and get the necessary receipt.
5. Mail the application form and documents.

 

What is required in the job offer letter? (Source: d)

This letter must be an original letter on company letterhead and must contain the following:

1. Job title & job description (the job must be related to the student’s field of studies)
2. The education, skills and experiences required for the job
3. Start date of employment
4. Salary and other job benefits
5. Average number of hours of work per week
6. Address of the location of employment where student will be working

 

Sources:

(a) http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-postgrad.asp

(b) Applying for a Work Permit - Student Guide:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/ENGLISH/pdf/kits/guides/5580E.PDF

(c) http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-postgrad-how.asp

(d) http://www.sds.uwo.ca/int/documents/postgrad_employer.pdf

 

Other Useful links:

• http://www.cic.gc.ca/ENGLISH/information/applications/work-students.asp
• http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/workplaceskills/foreign_workers/intstugrad.shtml
• http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/extend-worker.asp
• http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/medical/medexams-temp.asp
• http://www.canadaworkpermit.com/faq/general.html

Disclaimer: The post just has information collected from different links. Certain information and procedures mentioned here might change with time and the blog-author takes no responsibility for any consequence emerging out of the information presented and if it is out-dated.