Work In Canada: Us Masters Open Doors

Canada and the United States are both top destinations for international students, offering high-quality education and potential pathways to permanent residence. However, their approaches to managing international students differ. This paragraph will focus on the topic of 'Can international students work in Canada with a US master's degree?' and will explore the options available for those seeking to work in Canada, either during or after their studies.

Work permit requirements for international students in Canada

International students in Canada with a US master's degree can work full-time during their studies without affecting their eligibility for post-graduation work authorizations. International students can also now study remotely for up to 50% of their courses.

To be eligible to work in Canada as an international student, you must meet the following requirements:

• Study Permit: You must have a valid study permit. Your study permit will state whether you are permitted to work in Canada. If it does not include this permission, you may be able to get it amended at no cost.
• Full-Time Enrollment: You must be enrolled in your program full-time to qualify to work in Canada.
• Social Insurance Number (SIN): You will need a SIN to work in Canada. You can apply for this after receiving your study permit.
• Work Hours: International students are allowed to work up to 24 hours per week during academic terms. During the summer session or academic breaks, students can work unlimited hours.
• On-Campus vs. Off-Campus Work: You do not need a special work permit for on-campus or off-campus jobs. However, if you want to work an internship or co-op placement, you may need to apply for a co-op permit.
• Co-op or Internship Programs: To be eligible for a work permit under a co-op or internship program, you must meet additional requirements. Your employment must be certified as an essential part of your academic program by an academic official, and you must have a valid study permit.
• Designated Occupations: If you plan to work in a designated occupation, such as health services or with children, you must complete and pass a medical exam before submitting your work permit application.
• Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): If you require an eTA to enter Canada, ensure that it remains valid if you plan to re-enter Canada after obtaining a work permit.
• Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): After graduating, you can apply for an open work permit, the PGWP, which allows you to gain work experience in Canada and is valid for 8 months to 3 years.
• Permanent Residency: Working in Canada as an international student can lead to permanent residency options. The PGWP helps you gain points towards Canadian permanent residency, and there are various programs, like the Express Entry pathway, to help you transition to permanent residency.

These are the key requirements and considerations for international students seeking to work in Canada. It is important to refer to official government sources for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding work permits and eligibility.

Work hour limits for international students in Canada

International students in Canada are allowed to work up to 24 hours per week off-campus without a work permit. This is an increase from the previous limit of 20 hours per week. Students can work more than one job to make up these hours, as long as they continue to meet the conditions of their study permit.

On-campus, international students can work an unlimited number of hours, in addition to working off-campus, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements. This includes jobs with the school itself, faculty members, student organizations, or private businesses that operate on campus. Students can also work unlimited hours remotely for an employer based outside of Canada, as long as they comply with the conditions of their study permit. This remote work does not count towards the off-campus work hour limit.

During scheduled breaks, such as summer or winter holidays, there is no limit on the number of hours international students can work, both on and off-campus. However, students can only start working in Canada when their study program has started. They cannot work before the beginning of their first semester.

To work in Canada, international students will need a Social Insurance Number (SIN), which can be applied for after receiving a study permit. The study permit will state whether the student is permitted to work in Canada and if they are eligible for off-campus work.

Eligibility for Canadian permanent residency after graduation

If you are an international student with a US master's degree, you may be eligible for permanent residency in Canada. Here are the key points regarding your eligibility for Canadian permanent residency after graduation:

Eligibility Requirements:

To be eligible for permanent residency in Canada as an international student with a US master's degree, you should ideally have a valid study permit and be enrolled in a full-time program at a qualifying learning institution, such as a university or an accredited college. The academic program must be more than six months in length. Additionally, you will need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to work in Canada, which you can apply for after receiving your study permit.

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP):

One significant benefit of studying as an international student in Canada is the option to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). The PGWP is an open work permit that allows you to gain valuable Canadian work experience and accumulate points toward permanent residency. You can apply for the PGWP within 180 days after graduating from a qualifying academic program. The permit's validity ranges from eight months to three years, depending on the length of your academic program.

Express Entry:

Express Entry is the fastest and most popular route to obtain permanent residency in all Canadian provinces except Quebec. To apply through Express Entry, you must first create a profile and then submit your permanent residence application once chosen by the Canadian government. The applicants with the most points in the immigration system are selected for permanent residency.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP):

If you are not selected through Express Entry, you can explore other options like the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The PNP qualifications vary based on the province, and it is recommended to consult with immigration specialists like Fragomen to discuss your specific circumstances.

Work and Study Options:

As an international student in Canada, you may be eligible to work part-time (up to 24 hours per week) while studying. During academic breaks, such as the summer session, you can work unlimited hours. Additionally, you can pursue an advanced degree, such as a master's or Ph.D., at a Canadian university to enhance your eligibility for permanent residency.

In summary, there are several pathways available for international students with a US master's degree to become eligible for Canadian permanent residency after graduation. These include obtaining a study permit, taking advantage of the PGWP, applying through Express Entry or PNP, and gaining Canadian work experience through part-time work opportunities or advanced degrees.

Provincial immigration programs for permanent residency

International students in Canada can work part-time during their studies, allowing them to afford living expenses and reduce student loan borrowings. This provides a pathway to permanent residency, as the work experience gained can count towards residency requirements.

Canada offers several Provincial Immigration Programs for permanent residency, including:

Express Entry

This is the fastest and most popular option for permanent residence in all provinces except Quebec. Applicants with the most points in the immigration system are selected for permanent residency. The minimum requirements include having a higher education degree.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Each province or territory has its own application and nomination procedures for permanent residency. The Provincial Nominee Class (PNC) allows provincial and territorial governments to choose immigrants according to their economic needs. Applicants must first be nominated by a province or territory and then apply to the IRCC for permanent residence. An IRCC officer will assess the application based on Canadian immigration rules.

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

International students can apply for an open work permit for up to 180 days after graduating from a qualifying academic program. The permit can last from eight months to three years, depending on the length of the academic program. This option helps gain work experience and points towards earning permanent residency.

Provincial Programs

Individual provinces also offer specific programs to attract immigrants with skills, experience, and qualifications needed by local employers. For example, British Columbia (BC) has the BC PNP with Skills Immigration streams, and New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador offer programs for graduates.

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) in Canada

International students in Canada can work full-time during their studies without affecting their eligibility for post-graduation work authorisations. One benefit of studying as an international student in Canada is the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This is an open work permit, meaning that it grants foreign nationals the freedom to work for any employer, anywhere in Canada. The PGWP is valid for any length of time between eight months and three years, depending on the length of the academic program completed. It cannot be renewed or extended.

To be eligible for a PGWP, you must meet all the eligibility requirements. You must have completed a program of study at a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution (DLI) that was at least eight months long (or 900 hours for Quebec programs). You must have maintained full-time status as a student in Canada during each semester of your study program, although you may study part-time during your final semester. You must apply for your PGWP within 180 days of confirmation that you completed your program of study, and your study permit must have been valid at some point during the 180 days after you graduated and before you submitted your PGWP application.

If you graduated from a college program or any other program not listed in the eligible levels of study, you must prove your English or French language skills with a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 5 in English or Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 5 in French across all four language areas. If you graduated from a flight school, you must have completed a flight training course at a DLI training centre and now have a Canadian commercial pilot's license, or have or be getting an instructor's rating and have a job offer as a flight instructor from a DLI flight training centre.

If your study permit has expired, you may be eligible to restore your status and apply, provided you have only been out of status for less than 90 days. You can only apply for a PGWP once. If you are planning on taking another program of study that is a continuation of your first program, or you are considering taking a longer degree program in Canada, you might want to apply for your PGWP strategically. Applying after the longest period of study will grant you a PGWP with longer validity, up to a maximum of three years.

Frequently asked questions