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General Immigration Information for International Students

As an international student in Canada, you have  many advantages:

  • You can work up to 24 hours per week during your school time and full-time during your school holidays.

  • After graduation of certain programs, you are eligible to live and work in Canada for up to three years. 

  • If you are a Master’s or Ph.D. candidate, your spouse is eligible for an open work permit during the duration of your study.

  • Your children can go to public schools for free. They do not need a study permit until they are 18 years old.

  • Your time studying in Canada counts towards your total five years of living in Canada and expedites your Canadian citizenship process.

Immigration | Canstart

CanStart Group Inc. is an education consulting company. We do not provide immigration or citizenship advice, representation, application preparation, or immigration strategy. Immigration information on this page is public information only. Clients requiring immigration advice are referred to lawyers or licensed immigration consultants.

 

Immigration documents you may need:

 

Temporary Resident Visa (TRV):

 

Study Permit (SP):

  • You need SP to study in Canada for a period longer than six months at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) or a primary/secondary school

  • The study program can be for language or professional training

  • You have to be a full-time student to maintain a valid study permit

  • You cannot take a break from your studies for longer than 90 days to keep your study permit valid, except for official school holidays.

  • You can work or are eligible to apply for an Open Work Permit only if you are enrolled in professional training.

  • You cannot work while you are enrolled in a language training program (ESL, EAP, etc.)

More info ->

Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWT):

  • You can get this privilege after graduating from a college or university in Canada ONLY! No other English-speaking country makes such a generous offer.

  • PGWP can be granted for the length of the study program, plus anywhere from 90 days to three years upon graduation

  • You should apply for PGWT within 90 days of your last class (not graduation day!)

  • You can receive PGWT only ONCE, and it cannot be extended.d More info ->

 

Permanent Residency (PR):

  • To apply for permanent residency in Canada, you have to receive a certain score through the Express Entry, a point-based system for the Federal and Provincial immigration programs.

  • As an international student, you can maximize your score to be selected from the Express Entry pool of candidates by having:

    • High school graduates: a 3-year diploma program and at least 1 year of Canadian work experience after graduation

    • undergraduate degree holders: a 1 or 2-year diploma/certificate program and at least 1 year of Canadian work experience after graduation​

More info ->

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