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A post-graduation work permit is an open work permit will allow graduates from eligible institutions to work anywhere in Canada and gain variable work experience. This work experience can help candidates qualify for permanent residency in Canada.
In this article, we’re going to focus solely on international students who have completed a program in the province of Québec.
Contrary to the rest of Canada, international students graduating from a private postsecondary institution in Québec are eligible to apply for the post graduation work permit. Indeed, in Québec only, private post-secondary institutions operate under the same rules and regulations as public institutions for professional secondary or collegial studies. Whether it is a private institution or a public one, students who complete a professional secondary or collegial degree can get the post graduation work permit. More specifically, the eligible diplomas are: diploma of vocational studies (DVS), an attestation of vocational specialization (AVS), an attestation of collegial studies (AEC), or a diploma of College studies (DCS). In addition to these programs, students graduating from an university program are also eligible to the post graduation will permit.
Eligible applicants
In addition to have completed one of the programs outlined above, one must fulfill the following criteria to qualify for a post-graduation work permit:
- Have at least 18 years old at the time of application
- Have completed a program of study that was at least eight months long (part 900 hours)
- Have maintained full-time student status in Canada during each academic session, with the exception of the last academic session that can be completed part-time
- Apply for the work permit within six months from completing the program
- Within 180 days of the date of applying for the post-graduation work permit, have held a valid study permit or work address to study in Canada without the requirement to obtain a study permit under paragraph 188 (1) (a) and (b).
You are not eligible for post-graduation work permit if:
- you have previously been issued a post-graduation will permit
- receive the founding from global affairs Canada, participated in the Government of Canada awards program funded by global affairs Canada
- obtained the equal opportunity scholarship (Canada – Chile)
- participated in the Canada – China scholars’ exchange program
- participated in the organization of American states fellowships program
- obtained the majority of the credits towards the completion of their program of study by distance learning
- or have completed a program of study delivered by a non-Canadian institution located in Canada, regardless of their length of stay in Canada.
Lengths of the post-graduation work permit that can issued for Québec graduates
If your program of study is at least eight months long and less than two years, the length of the work permit will coincide with the length of your program. For example, if you have completed an attestation of college studies and your institution has confirmed that your program was 14 months of duration, you should receive a post-graduation will permit 14 months.
If you have completed a program that is two years or longer, the length of the work permit will be three years.
If you obtain a diploma of vocational studies or an attestation of vocational specialization, Immigration Canada officers may use a prorated calculation in order to determine the length of the work permit. For example, students who complete a program of 1800 hrs. are eligible to receive a three-year work permit, even if they completed the program in less than two years. On the contrary, students who complete a program of 1500 hrs., even though the total duration of the program was more than two years, immigration officers can issue the work permit for less than two years.
Completion of more than one program
You can complete two programs in a row and if each program is eligible for the post-graduation work permit and you have completed both of these programs within the last two years, and the combination of these two programs is two years or longer (or 1800 hrs. or longer), the work permit may be valid for up to three years.
Disclaimer : The content of this blog is not legal advice and and may not be accurate or complete. If you require legal advice, contact a licensed legal practitioner directly.
