Opportunities for Students in Canada
Seeking to attract and retain international students amongst fierce global competition, the Canadian government has made significant improvements to the student visa and related programs in order to strengthen Canada’s standing as a destination of choice for students.
In order to obtain a study permit, the applicant must first be accepted by an elementary/secondary school, college, university or other educational institution in Canada. Applicants must demonstrate access to sufficient funds to pay for tuition and educational fees as well as living expenses and return transportation for themselves and any accompanying dependents. They must also satisfy Canadian immigration medical and security requirements. International student tuition fees vary widely by province and institution, with the current average exceeding $14,000 CDN per year for a university undergraduate program (although there are significantly lower cost options as well).
International students are allowed to work on campus without a work permit provided the educational institution is a public post-secondary institution such as a college or university, or a specified private institution. Foreign students are eligible for off-campus work permits if they are a full-time student enrolled at a participating publicly funded post-secondary educational institution or an approved program at an eligible privately funded institution. The work permit authorizes the student to work up to 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions, and full time during scheduled breaks. Students must also demonstrate that they have been studying on a full time basis for 6 of the last 12 months at a participating institution and have maintained a satisfactory academic standing.
Graduates of approved post secondary institutions are eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit following completion of their studies. Students must apply under this program within 90 days of receiving written confirmation from their institution that they have met the requirements for completing the academic program. Work permits are valid for up to three years with no restrictions on the type of work or geographical location. The validity period of the work permit however cannot exceed the period of study at the Canadian post-secondary institution. As a foreign graduate of a Canadian post secondary institution, applicants must meet certain minimum requirements to apply for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class. They must plan to live outside the province of Quebec, have at least one year of full-time (or equivalent) skilled work experience in Canada pursuant to a work permit, and apply while working in Canada or within one year of leaving their job in Canada. Skilled work experience includes occupations classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) as Skill Type 0 (managerial occupations), Skill Level A (professional occupations) or Skill Level B (technical occupations and skilled trades).
Applicants who wish to apply under the Canadian Experience Class based on their Canadian educational credentials must have completed either a full-time Canadian post-secondary educational program of at least two years (i.e.: at least 16 months of school) ora one-year Master’s program plus an additional year of education obtained in Canada. English- or French-as-a-second- language courses do not count toward education requirements under the Canadian Experience Class nor do distance learning/online programs. The programs must be delivered by a private or public post-secondary educational institution such as a college or a university that is provincially recognized, or private CEGEP.
International students also have the option of applying under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, which accepts applications from international students residing legally in Canada for at least 12 months immediately prior to submitting their application. Applicants must meet program criteria including a minimum of 67 points assessed in relation to several factors such as age, education, work experience, English/French ability, and adaptability factors including previous study or work experience in Canada. Applications must also have at least one continuous year of full-time, paid work experience or the equivalent in part-time continuous employment within the last 10 years in Skill Type 0, A or B of the NOC.
Certain provincial nominee programs (PNPs) also accept applications from foreign graduates. In Manitoba, for example, the applicant must have graduated from a post-secondary educational program of at least one academic year at a Manitoba institution, obtained a post graduate open work permit, received a formal offer of a full-time long-term job related to their field of studies from a Manitoba employer, and have been working for that Manitoba employer for at least six months. Grads from other Canadian provinces or territories may also be considered under MPNP if they have been working with the same Manitoba employer for at least six months on a post graduate open work permit and can demonstrate strong ties to Manitoba (such as friends or family).
The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program accepts applications from former students who have completed a diploma, degree, or graduate level program a minimum of 2 years in length at an undergraduate level or a minimum of 1 year at a graduate level from a publicly funded community college, trade/technical school or university, or at a private institution authorized by provincial statute to confer degrees in Alberta. Former students with a diploma, degree, graduate level program from a publicly funded community college, trade/technical school or university in another province also qualify. The international graduate must have secured permanent full-time employment with an Alberta employer and be employed with that employer on a post-graduate work permit for a minimum of six months in a skilled occupation related to their field of study prior to applying to the AINP.
The Newfoundland Provincial Nominee Program accepts applications from international students who have graduated from a recognized Newfoundland and Labrador post-secondary educational institution. Applicants must demonstrate strong ties to the province and intend to live, work, and establish themselves in Newfoundland and Labrador. The applicant must also have a full-time job offer from a Newfoundland and Labrador employer in his/her field of study or a related area, or a demonstrated attachment to the local labour market for at least six months with a reasonable expectation for future employment.
The Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program also has an International Graduate stream for applicants who have received a certificate, diploma, or degree from a recognized Nova Scotia post-secondary institution within the two years prior to application from a program of at least one academic year of full-time study in Nova Scotia and, as well as a work permit, a permanent, full-time job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in their field of study, and at least 3 months of work experience in the position.
International graduates with at least 6 months of work experience under a work permit with a Saskatchewan employer can apply for permanent residency under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program.
Additional criteria apply to all provincial nominee programs and the Canadian Experience Class, as well as student visa applications. While applicants may intend to apply for permanent residency following the completion of their studies, they must also satisfy a visa officer that they will leave Canada following their studies assuming they fail to maintain legal status in Canada for any reason.
International students should also ensure prior to enrollment that their school and program are approved for the purpose of a Post-Graduation Work Permit as well as a permanent residency program if they plan exercising these options following graduation, as certain restrictions do apply. Unfortunately some students have enrolled in or completed a program only to find out that they do not qualify due to the program itself or other factors.
The Canadian education system enjoys a great reputation worldwide, so students who intend to return to their home country also obtain benefits by attending school in Canada such as the opportunity to immerse themselves in an English or French environment, to learn about Canadian culture, and to generally expand their horizons in a country known as the best place in the world to live.
Mahboobur Rahman B harm, M Pharm, MBA ( USA ), PGDBM (Canada) CEOImmigration Solutions Inc
418-171 Main Street North, Brampton, ON L6X 0H4 , CanadaEmail: immigration.solutions@yahoo.comDhaka office:2/21 Tajmahal Rd., Block-C, Dhaka-1207, Affiliate withCanada Immigration Group & Carroll- Fisher- Belding (Canadian Law firm)
Opportunities for Students in Canada
Seeking to attract and retain international students amongst fierce global competition, the Canadian government has made significant improvements to the student visa and related programs in order to strengthen Canada’s standing as a destination of choice for students.
In order to obtain a study permit, the applicant must first be accepted by an elementary/secondary school, college, university or other educational institution in Canada. Applicants must demonstrate access to sufficient funds to pay for tuition and educational fees as well as living expenses and return transportation for themselves and any accompanying dependents. They must also satisfy Canadian immigration medical and security requirements. International student tuition fees vary widely by province and institution, with the current average exceeding $14,000 CDN per year for a university undergraduate program (although there are significantly lower cost options as well).
International students are allowed to work on campus without a work permit provided the educational institution is a public post-secondary institution such as a college or university, or a specified private institution. Foreign students are eligible for off-campus work permits if they are a full-time student enrolled at a participating publicly funded post-secondary educational institution or an approved program at an eligible privately funded institution. The work permit authorizes the student to work up to 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions, and full time during scheduled breaks. Students must also demonstrate that they have been studying on a full time basis for 6 of the last 12 months at a participating institution and have maintained a satisfactory academic standing.
Graduates of approved post secondary institutions are eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit following completion of their studies. Students must apply under this program within 90 days of receiving written confirmation from their institution that they have met the requirements for completing the academic program. Work permits are valid for up to three years with no restrictions on the type of work or geographical location. The validity period of the work permit however cannot exceed the period of study at the Canadian post-secondary institution.
As a foreign graduate of a Canadian post secondary institution, applicants must meet certain minimum requirements to apply for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class. They must plan to live outside the province of Quebec, have at least one year of full-time (or equivalent) skilled work experience in Canada pursuant to a work permit, and apply while working in Canada or within one year of leaving their job in Canada. Skilled work experience includes occupations classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) as Skill Type 0 (managerial occupations), Skill Level A (professional occupations) or Skill Level B (technical occupations and skilled trades).
Applicants who wish to apply under the Canadian Experience Class based on their Canadian educational credentials must have completed either a full-time Canadian post-secondary educational program of at least two years (i.e.: at least 16 months of school) or a one-year Master’s program plus an additional year of education obtained in Canada. English- or French-as-a-second- language courses do not count toward education requirements under the Canadian Experience Class nor do distance learning/online programs. The programs must be delivered by a private or public post-secondary educational institution such as a college or a university that is provincially recognized, or private CEGEP.
International students also have the option of applying under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, which accepts applications from international students residing legally in Canada for at least 12 months immediately prior to submitting their application. Applicants must meet program criteria including a minimum of 67 points assessed in relation to several factors such as age, education, work experience, English/French ability, and adaptability factors including previous study or work experience in Canada. Applications must also have at least one continuous year of full-time, paid work experience or the equivalent in part-time continuous employment within the last 10 years in Skill Type 0, A or B of the NOC.
Certain provincial nominee programs (PNPs) also accept applications from foreign graduates. In Manitoba, for example, the applicant must have graduated from a post-secondary educational program of at least one academic year at a Manitoba institution, obtained a post graduate open work permit, received a formal offer of a full-time long-term job related to their field of studies from a Manitoba employer, and have been working for that Manitoba employer for at least six months. Grads from other Canadian provinces or territories may also be considered under MPNP if they have been working with the same Manitoba employer for at least six months on a post graduate open work permit and can demonstrate strong ties to Manitoba (such as friends or family).
The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program accepts applications from former students who have completed a diploma, degree, or graduate level program a minimum of 2 years in length at an undergraduate level or a minimum of 1 year at a graduate level from a publicly funded community college, trade/technical school or university, or at a private institution authorized by provincial statute to confer degrees in Alberta. Former students with a diploma, degree, graduate level program from a publicly funded community college, trade/technical school or university in another province also qualify. The international graduate must have secured permanent full-time employment with an Alberta employer and be employed with that employer on a post-graduate work permit for a minimum of six months in a skilled occupation related to their field of study prior to applying to the AINP.
The Newfoundland Provincial Nominee Program accepts applications from international students who have graduated from a recognized Newfoundland and Labrador post-secondary educational institution. Applicants must demonstrate strong ties to the province and intend to live, work, and establish themselves in Newfoundland and Labrador. The applicant must also have a full-time job offer from a Newfoundland and Labrador employer in his/her field of study or a related area, or a demonstrated attachment to the local labour market for at least six months with a reasonable expectation for future employment.
The Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program also has an International Graduate stream for applicants who have received a certificate, diploma, or degree from a recognized Nova Scotia post-secondary institution within the two years prior to application from a program of at least one academic year of full-time study in Nova Scotia and, as well as a work permit, a permanent, full-time job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in their field of study, and at least 3 months of work experience in the position.
International graduates with at least 6 months of work experience under a work permit with a Saskatchewan employer can apply for permanent residency under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program.
Additional criteria apply to all provincial nominee programs and the Canadian Experience Class, as well as student visa applications. While applicants may intend to apply for permanent residency following the completion of their studies, they must also satisfy a visa officer that they will leave Canada following their studies assuming they fail to maintain legal status in Canada for any reason.
International students should also ensure prior to enrollment that their school and program are approved for the purpose of a Post-Graduation Work Permit as well as a permanent residency program if they plan exercising these options following graduation, as certain restrictions do apply. Unfortunately some students have enrolled in or completed a program only to find out that they do not qualify due to the program itself or other factors.
The Canadian education system enjoys a great reputation worldwide, so students who intend to return to their home country also obtain benefits by attending school in Canada such as the opportunity to immerse themselves in an English or French environment, to learn about Canadian culture, and to generally expand their horizons in a country known as the best place in the world to live.
Mahboobur Rahman B harm, M Pharm, MBA ( USA ), PGDBM (Canada) CEOImmigration Solutions Inc
418-171 Main Street North, Brampton, ON L6X 0H4 , CanadaEmail: immigration.solutions@yahoo.comDhaka office:2/21 Tajmahal Rd., Block-C, Dhaka-1207, Affiliate withCanada Immigration Group & Carroll- Fisher- Belding (Canadian Law firm)
www.canadaimmigrationgroup.com