How to Stay in Canada after Graduation?

You have a few options for staying in Canada after you finish school as follows.

Option 1: PGWP

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The most common option is to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). A PGWP is an open work permit, which means the holder can work for almost any employer in Canada. It is valid for between eight months and three years, depending on the length of the program. Undergraduate university or college programs lasting less than eight months are not eligible for the PGWP.

Programs two years or more will result in a PGWP valid for up to three years for eligible applicants. To get a PGWP, students must apply within 180 days of receiving their final transcript from their designated learning institution (DLI) in addition to an official letter confirming that the requirements to complete the program of study have been met.

If a DLI does not send a transcript before a study permit expires, former international students can apply for a visitor record. This means they can stay in Canada but will not be permitted to work until their PGWP application is approved.

Option 2: Visitor Record

A visit record is different from a visit visa. A visitor entry is for people who are already in Canada and want to extend their stay. This happens most frequently for foreign nationals in Canada as visitors, but anyone with an expiring work or study permit may also apply.

Again, a visitor record allows holders to remain in Canada, but they are not permitted to work while in the country.

Option 3: Applying for a different work permit

Canada offers several work permit options to foreigners who want to gain work experience to help with their permanent residence application. Applicants can qualify for an open work permit through the International Mobility Program (IMP) or apply for employer sponsorship through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).

Option 4: Applying for a New Study Permit

Some international students who complete their undergraduate or university program may decide to pursue a second degree in a different subject or a master’s degree in their field of study. In this case, the applicant will need to apply for a new study permit.

Potential applicants should note that there have been some changes recently to how international students are approved for a study permit. For example, as of January 2024, the Cost-of-Living Requirement increased from $10,000 to $20,635 for a single student and those who wish to complete a second undergraduate degree or college program must obtain a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL).

However, international master’s and other graduate students may be exempt from taking the PAL and be eligible for a PGWP for three years after graduation, even if their academic program is less than two years long. Because the PGWP can only be awarded once, those pursuing this route should not apply for it until they have completed their second university program.

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