Working In Pr: Opportunities For International Students

International students often choose to work while studying abroad to gain valuable work experience and increase their chances of receiving permanent residency (PR) in their host country. The rules and regulations regarding international students working abroad vary from country to country. For example, in Canada, international students are generally allowed to work on- and off-campus during their studies as long as they meet the requirements and have a valid study permit. In the United States, F-1 students may accept on-campus employment during their first academic year and engage in specific types of off-campus employment after their first year. In Sweden, EU citizens are permitted to work, and other third-country nationals with study permits may be able to work depending on the situation. Australia also offers various visa categories for international students to gain PR, such as skilled work, family, and business visas, each with specific eligibility criteria.

Characteristics and Values

International students in Canada can work on-campus without a permit

However, there are some categories of students who cannot work on-campus, including those on authorised leave from their studies, switching schools, or not currently studying. Students must be enrolled in a full-time study program at a designated learning institution to be eligible to work on-campus without a permit.

International students in Canada can also work off-campus for up to 24 hours per week without a work permit, as long as they meet other requirements for working while studying. Working more than 24 hours per week is a violation of the study permit conditions, and students may lose their student status and be asked to leave the country.

After completing their studies, international students in Canada can apply for a post-graduation work permit to gain valuable work experience and increase their chances of earning permanent residency. They can also explore immigration programs like the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) programs, which offer accelerated pathways to permanent residency.

After graduating, international students in Canada can apply for a post-graduation work permit

International students in Canada are allowed to work while they study, provided their study permit states that they can. However, certain categories of students, such as those on authorized leave from their studies or not actively studying, may not be eligible to work. International students can work on campus without a work permit as long as they are enrolled in a university.

There are several immigration programs available to international students in Canada, such as the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program. The CEC, operated through the Express Entry system, requires a certain level of Canadian work experience, which can be obtained through the PGWP. The FSW program, on the other hand, does not require Canadian work experience but instead focuses on skilled work experience gained anywhere in the world. It utilizes a points-based Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank candidates.

International students in Canada have various pathways to pursue permanent residence, and the work experience gained through the PGWP can be a valuable asset in this process. The PGWP allows graduates to develop soft skills, gain Canadian work experience, and increase their chances of finding employment in Canada, which can contribute to earning permanent residency through the Express Entry pathway.

Canada's Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are designed to attract skilled workers to each province

There are various PNP streams available, including the BC PNP International Post-Graduate stream, the Alberta Opportunity Stream, and New Brunswick's Skilled Worker stream. These programs typically require documentation demonstrating eligibility, such as proof of skilled work experience, education, and language proficiency. Most PNPs also require proof of the applicant's intention to reside in the province upon nomination.

International students who have studied in Canada may have advantages when applying for PNPs, especially if they have graduated from a Canadian educational institution or have Canadian work experience. Many international student graduates are eligible to apply for a post-graduation work permit, allowing them to gain valuable work experience in Canada. However, it is important for international students to ensure they meet the conditions of their study permit, as violations can impact future immigration applications.

Quebec, for example, operates its own unique immigration system with programs like the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) and Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) stream, which offer pathways for international students to obtain permanent residence in the province. The PEQ requires students to have completed their studies or be within six months of completion at a Quebec institution, along with demonstrating advanced intermediate knowledge of oral French. On the other hand, the QSW program does not have a mandatory French proficiency requirement but assesses candidates based on a points grid.

International students in the US need a visa to work off-campus

On-campus employment is the most freely available option for F-1 visa holders and does not require USCIS approval. However, F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment, which are authorized by a Designated School Official:

• Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
• Optional Practical Training (OPT) Extension for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
• Off-campus employment due to severe economic hardship or special student relief

Any off-campus employment must be related to the student's field of study and must be authorized prior to starting work. The off-campus employment authorization ends one year after issuance or upon completion of the program, whichever comes first. F-1 students may also be eligible to work off-campus on a case-by-case basis due to special circumstances, such as severe economic hardship or special student relief.

It is important to note that international students must comply with certain federal laws and regulations when seeking employment in the United States, and failure to do so can result in serious consequences.

International students in the US must prove they can afford living expenses before entering the country

There are various ways international students can demonstrate financial ability. For example, they can apply for scholarships, which are considered gift financial aid and do not need to be repaid. However, scholarships can be competitive, and students must meet eligibility requirements. Alternatively, students can take out private student loans, with a pre-authorisation letter serving as proof of financial ability.

Students can also work part-time to earn an income, with those on an F-1 visa allowed to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during term time. After completing a full year of study, F-1 students may also be permitted to work off-campus if they have a qualifying economic hardship. M-1 visa students can engage in practical training after they have finished their studies, and this must be related to their area of study and authorised by the Designated School Official.

Living expenses can be adjusted to meet a student's budget. For example, students can save money by purchasing used textbooks or pre-owned clothing, furnishing, and technology. Packing a homemade lunch instead of buying meals on campus can also help to reduce daily expenses.

Frequently asked questions