In addition to the excellent quality education that students gain in Canada, many students choose to study in the country because of the opportunity to work after studies
Canada is among the countries where students have the opportunity to work after graduation, however, there are conditions attached.
Also, read: Is it easy to get a part-time job in Australia?
Not all students can get a work permit (work in Canada) in Canada after finishing their studies.
Can I get a work permit after my diploma in Canada?
You can get a work permit after completing your diploma in Canada. If you meet work permit requirements, like if you did your program at a recognized institution and hold a valid study permit till the end of your program, you can be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
With this permit, you will be allowed to work in Canada for up to three years after completing your diploma program.
To work in Canada after graduating, there are rules you need to follow:
- Not all study programs qualify for a work permit: You must be a graduate of a qualifying program before you will be allowed to work in Canada after graduating. Your program must be full-time and last for the required period to be considered an eligible program.
- You must have a valid study permit: You need to have a valid study permit while studying in Canada, and you must stick to the rules of your permit (like how many hours you can work) for you to be eligible to work in the country after your studies.
- Apply for work opportunity before the deadline: If you want to work after graduating, you have 180 days from the time you complete your studies to apply for a suitable work permit (usually the postgraduate work permit – PGWP).
While Canada welcomes international students and allows them to stay and work after graduating, they have these rules to make sure Canadian workers aren’t left out.
Can I get PGWP after 2 year’s diploma in Canada?
Yes, you can get a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) after completing a two-year diploma in Canada. If your diploma program is full-time and it is at a designated learning institution, you are eligible for a PGWP.
Also, read: Can international students work in Canada after graduation
You also need to make sure that your study permit is valid at the time of graduating and apply for a PGWP before the 180-day deadline.
Other work permit options you can get after completing your diploma program in Canada
While the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is very popular among students who want to work in Canada after studying, you also have other options.
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You have the:
- Employer-Specific Work Permit: If you get a job offer from a Canadian employer after completing your diploma program, maybe you have a special skill that the employer needs, you can be issued this work permit. It is issued to individuals who have a specific job offer from a Canadian employer who is eligible to employer foreign workers.
- Open Work Permit: This is also another option, although, it depends on your situation. For an open work permit, you are allowed to work for any Canadian employer, except for those who are not eligible to hire foreign workers or in specific occupations.
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Some Canadian provinces have immigration streams that target international graduates who have completed their studies in the province. You can obtain a work permit through this program.
Once you graduate from your diploma program, you have limited time to stay in Canada, within this period, you are expected to apply for a suitable work permit if you want to work in the country.
How long can international students stay in Canada after graduation?
You can stay in Canada for up to 180 days after graduation however, it can extend to three years and more if you can get a PGWP within the first 180 days after graduation.
Your eligibility for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) after a diploma in Canada
Before you apply for the PGWP, ensure you are eligible for the permit – if you apply without meeting the eligible requirements, your application will not be approved.
Below are the eligibility criteria
1. You must complete your diploma program: To qualify for a PGWP, you must have completed a full-time diploma program at a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada.
2. You must meet the duration of study requirement: When you finally get the PGWP, its length will be the same as the length of the program you just completed.
However, before all that, if your program is less than two years but at least eight months long, you may be eligible for a PGWP valid for the length of your study program, up to a maximum of three years.
If your program is two years or more, you could be eligible for a three-year PGWP.
How long is a diploma course in Canada?
Diploma courses in Canada differ, they can be from one to three years in length. Some programs are shorter, they last one year, while others are more comprehensive, they last for two or three years.
3. Valid Study Permit: You must have had a valid study permit throughout your time studying in Canada.
4. You have to meet the application deadline: You must apply for the PGWP within 180 days of receiving written confirmation (e.g., transcript, official letter) from your institution showing that you have completed your studies.
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5. Comply with your visa regulations: The only chance for you to transition to a worker from a student status in Canada is if you obeyed your visa regulations while you were a student.
6. Avoid ineligible programs: Studying some diploma programs will automatically make you ineligible for a work permit after your studies.
Diploma programs that are less than eight months long, English or French as a Second Language programs and distance learning programs will make you ineligible for a work permit after graduation.
How you can apply for a postgraduate work permit after your diploma
Once you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for a work permit after completing your diploma program.
To apply, you need to fill out the application form online and submit all the required documents.
What documents are required for a work permit after studying in Canada?
The following documents are required for PGWP in Canada
- Passport: A valid passport that will remain valid throughout your stay in Canada.
- Study Permit: A copy of your study permit or a letter confirming your status as a student in Canada.
- Proof of Completion: Official transcripts or a letter from your school that confirms that you have completed your program.
- Letter of Acceptance: A copy of the letter of acceptance from your school, showing your enrollment in a full-time program.
- Passport-Sized Photos: Recent passport-sized photos that meet Canadian visa requirements.
- Application Form: Completed application form for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) or the appropriate work permit application form.
- Reference Letters: Letters of reference from previous employers, professors, or other relevant persons.
- Proof of Financial Support: Evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in Canada, including bank statements, scholarship letters, or financial guarantees.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV): A detailed resume outlining your education, work experience, skills, and achievements.
You can apply for the PGWP online through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
Make sure that you have all the necessary documents listed above scanned and ready for upload before opening the application portal.
With your documents ready, go to the application portal, fill out the application form and upload all the documents.
Pay the application fee online and submit evidence of payment, it is part of the application process.
After submitting your application, wait for it to be processed and a decision reached.
Also, read: Can you transfer universities after one semester in Canada?
If you submit a complete application and you are eligible, you will receive your PGWP either electronically or by mail.
Once you receive your work permit, ensure you read its conditions and obey them while working in the country.