Study in Canada: Work & Immigration Paths for Students
Why choose Canada to study as an international student? Talked from an immigration regulation perspective.
Today, in this article, we will answer the following questions which are commonly asked by prospective international students:
Why do I want to study in Canada?
Can international students work full-time while on a study permit?
Which study program should I go for, in order to get a 3-year work visa?
If I want to immigrate after graduation, which province and major is more suitable for me?
If you google why you want to come to Canada to study, you might find reasons like, low tuition, great education quality, beautiful scenery and diverse culture. But you might also think, other countries like the U.S, New Zealand, Australia are all pretty good in those aspects.
From an immigration regulation perspective, it would actually be: work opportunity and immigration opportunity. Note that the study that we will talk about in this article refers to post-secondary studies only.
Working while on a Study Permit
Full-time international students with a study permit can work on campus. The immigration law does not impose restrictions on working hours on campus.
At the same time, international students can work off campus if they meet the following three conditions, but they cannot exceed 20 hours a week.
First, the length of the project should exceed 6 months
Second, study full-time instead of part-time
Third, take a professional course, not a separate language course.
During vacation, the students can work full-time.
If a professional course requires students to complete an internship, international students can apply for an internship work permit. The immigration law does not impose restrictions on the time of internship.
From the perspective of immigration law, a student can possess a study permit and an internship work permit at the same time.
Work Permits
If the course length is more than 8 months and the study is full-time, international students can apply for a graduation work permit after graduation. So how long can I get a work permit?
If the course length is between 8 months and 2 years, the length of the work permit is generally the same as the course length. There are two special cases here:
First, if the graduate or doctoral program is longer than 16 months (excluding holidays), you can get a 3-year work permit.
Second, if Quebec’s vocational training course meets 1,800 hours (generally it can be completed in 1.5 to 2 years), you can also get a 3-year work permit.
If the course is more than 2 years, you can get a 3-year work permit.
If multiple learning projects have been completed in the past two years, and each project is longer than 8 months, the length of the work permit needs to be added up for all projects and then comprehensively considered.
Immigration opportunities
In addition to job opportunities, the most attractive aspect of studying in Canada is that many provinces have set up immigration programs specifically for international students. If students intend to immigrate to Canada, they can choose the appropriate province and meet the core requirements of each immigration project by selecting the right program of study initially.
The provinces involved are:
British Columbia:
There are two immigration programs, one is International Graduate and the other is International Post-graduate.
International Graduate requirements:
Graduated from BC high school or above;
Requirement of a permanent full-time JOB OFFER, the position needs to be NOC 0 A B, and the salary needs to reach the average/median salary of the relevant occupation in BC;
It should be noted that: You would first need to submit an EOI application and obtain a score according to BC's own scoring system. Only those with the highest scores will be invited to submit a formal provincial nomination application.
International Post-graduate requirements
Have a graduate degree or doctorate degree in BC, and the major must be in the field of natural sciences, applied sciences, or health sciences.
A specific list of occupations is mentioned below:
Agriculture
Biological and biomedical sciences
Computer and information sciences and support services
Engineering
Engineering technology
Health professions and related clinical sciences
Mathematics and statistics Mathematics and statistics
Natural resources conservation and research Natural resources conservation and research
Physical sciences
You do not need a JOB OFFER, and you can apply for provincial nomination if you meet the basic conditions.
Ontario
There are also two immigration projects. One is OINP Master Graduate Stream, and the other is OINP PHD Graduate Stream.
Master Graduate Stream requirements
At least one year of full-time study in a qualified school in Ontario;
IELTS comprehensive test each 6 points standard;
You can apply if you meet the conditions, but when you need to pay attention, this project is open from time to time. On the opening day, places are often robbed.
PHD Graduate Stream requirements
At least two years of full-time study in a qualified school in Ontario
No language requirements
You can apply if you meet the conditions. Judging from past records, this project has always been open.
Quebec
There is an immigration project, that is, the well-known PEQ, the Quebec experience immigration project.
PEQ project requirements
Have a high school degree or above in Quebec, including a 1,800-hour vocational training diploma;
For applicants who have obtained a vocational training diploma after January 1, 2021, 18 months of work experience are required, and the work category is limited to NOC 0, A, B or C. If it is category C, it needs to be related to what you have learned;
For other diplomas (technical college, bachelor, master, doctor) obtained after January 1, 2021, 12 months of work experience are required, and the job category is limited to NOC 0, A or B;
Applicants need to reach Quebec level 7 or 8 in French listening and speaking (may need to be confirmed through an interview).
Alberta
Alberta Opportunity Stream
Applicants can complete at least one year of professional courses in a designated institution in Alberta, and apply for a graduation work permit
Applicants need to have a full-time job offer for at least one year. Please note that:
Applicants cannot be legal persons, shareholders, temporary employees or outsourced personnel of the company where they belong;
The applicant’s occupation is not in the “Unqualified Occupation” list;
The profession needs to be related to the profession in Alberta;
If the professional course is a one-year graduate diploma course, the occupation also needs to be related to the foreign professional
Applicants need to have certain work experience
Within Alberta, have 12 months of work experience in the past 18 months, or
Within Alberta, have 6 months of work experience in the past 18 months; at the same time, outside Alberta (including overseas countries), have 18 months of work experience in the past 30 months;
IELTS comprehensive test requirements:
If the position is NOC 0, A, B, 4 points for reading, 5 points for the other three
If the position is NOC C, D, 3.5 points for reading, 4 points for writing, 4.5 points for listening, 4 points for speaking
It should be noted that although this project does not have its own EOI system, it is also an Expression of Interest, but the visa officer will treat it as an EOI system during the trial. In other words, the above requirements are only the minimum requirements for this project. The visa officer will give priority to handling more suitable cases according to the needs of the profession at the time and the conditions of the applicant.
Manitoba
Skilled workers in Manitoba
Applicants have completed at least one year of professional courses at designated institutions in Manitoba and applied for graduation work permits
Applicants need to have a full-time job offer for at least one year
The applicant has worked for this employer for 6 months
Applicants cannot be legal persons, shareholders, temporary employees or outsourced personnel of the company where they belong;
IELTS comprehensive test requirements:
If the position is NOC C, D, 3.5 points for reading, 4 points for writing, 4.5 points for listening, 4 points for speaking
It should be noted that: First submit a wish application and get a score according to Manitoba’s own scoring system. Only those with the highest scores will be invited to submit a formal provincial nomination application.
Prince Edward Island
International Graduate Stream
Be between 18-59 years old
Applicants have completed at least one year of professional courses at designated institutions in Prince Island and applied for graduation work permits
Applicants need to have a full-time job offer for at least two years
It should be noted that: First submit a wish application and get a score according to Prince Island’s own scoring system. Only those with the highest scores will be invited to submit a formal provincial nomination application.
New Brunswick
New Brunswick Express Entry Stream
Applicants must first meet the basic requirements for federal skilled immigration.
Applicants hold a valid study permit and are studying at a designated institution in New Brunswick for at least one year of professional courses
Applicants can submit an application as early as 3 months before graduation
It should be noted that although this project does not require a job offer, it is necessary to achieve 67 points in the federal skilled immigration and New Brunswick own scoring system respectively. Applicants need to submit an application first, and those who meet the conditions may be invited to apply for provincial nomination.
In addition to the provinces we listed above, some provinces have immigration programs suitable for international students, such as the International Graduate Stream in Newfoundland, International Skilled Worker:- Employment Offer Stream in Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia Experience in Nova Scotia: Express Entry Stream.
These programs all require a local Job offer or local work experience, but do not need to graduate from the province's study program. In other words, even if you study in other provinces, but get a job offer in these provinces, you have the opportunity to immigrate.
So how to pick your province of study?
First, place Newfoundland, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia as the second choice, because even if you are not studying in these provinces, according to the current immigration policy, you still have the opportunity to apply for their provincial nomination.
Many projects have their own EOI system, so in addition to meeting the minimum requirements, there are three points to evaluate
Own EOI score
Frequency of invitations for this item
Recent invitation scores for this project
Some provinces have requirements for the field of job offer, and you need to check relevant information in advance.
For FAQs about visa and immigration programs in Canada, click here.
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