Ibrahim Gardner
International students often face the question of whether they can work after graduating from their respective educational institutions. In Canada, for example, international students can apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) to stay and work in the country after completing their studies. However, certain eligibility criteria must be met, such as having maintained full-time student status and applying for the PGWP within 180 days of receiving confirmation of completing the program. The PGWP allows graduates to work in Canada for a specific period, ranging from 8 months to 3 years, depending on the length of their full-time program. It is important to note that working illegally before receiving the PGWP can have consequences, and seeking proper guidance is essential.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work after graduation | Students can work after graduation but before applying for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) if their study permit is still valid. |
| PGWP application deadline | The application for PGWP must be submitted within 180 days of receiving the Letter of Completion or within 180 days of the study permit's expiry, whichever comes first. |
| Work hours | Students can work up to 24 hours per week off-campus and/or full-time on campus if they are eligible to work in their final term. |
| Language requirements | Applicants must prove their English or French language skills with a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7 in English or Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7 in French across all 4 language areas. |
| Eligibility | To be eligible for a PGWP, students must have completed a program of study at a designated learning institution that was at least 8 months long (or 900 hours for Quebec programs) and maintained full-time status during each semester. |
| Work permit duration | The duration of the work permit ranges from 8 months to 3 years, based on the length of the full-time program. |
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What You'll Learn
Work permit eligibility requirements
International students can work in the US after graduating via post-completion OPT, STEM OPT extension, H-1B Visa, and Green Card permit. However, they must obtain work authorization first. Here are the work permit eligibility requirements for international students in the US:
F-1 Visa
F-1 students may work off-campus on a case-by-case basis due to special situations such as economic hardship. Any off-campus employment must be related to their area of study and authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS before starting work. F-1 students can work on-campus if they maintain their status and follow the guidelines. They can work for a contractually affiliated company, and their total work hours cannot exceed 20 hours during the school term.
Post-completion OPT
OPT is a temporary form of employment related to a student's field of study, allowing upwards of 12 months of work in the US. To apply, a DSO must enter an OPT request in SEVIS, and the student can then fill out the OPT application and pay the fees. Students do not need a job offer to apply, but their subsequent employment must be directly related to their area of study.
STEM OPT Extension
The STEM OPT extension is a 24-month period of temporary training directly related to an F-1 student's program of study in an approved STEM field. To be eligible, the graduate's employer must be enrolled in the E-Verify program.
H-1B Visa
The H-1B visa is a temporary employment authorization that can be extended beyond six years under certain circumstances. To qualify, the employer must initiate the visa process.
Green Card
A Green Card is a permanent residence permit that allows individuals to work anywhere in the US. While it is in high demand and difficult to obtain, international students can increase their chances by, for example, being sponsored by an employer or relative.
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Working before Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) application
International students who graduate from a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI) are eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This is an open work permit, meaning graduates can work for any employer, anywhere in Canada. The duration of a PGWP can be anywhere from eight months to three years. The validity of the permit depends on the duration of your study program, its level, and when your passport expires.
To be eligible for a PGWP, you must have completed a full-time study program that lasted at least eight months at a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution. You must also apply for the PGWP within 180 days of completing your study program. If you are applying from within Canada, you must apply before the expiry date printed on your study permit, which may be earlier than 90 days after program completion. If your study permit has expired, you may be eligible to restore your status and apply, as long as you have been out of status for less than 90 days.
You must have proof of degree completion before you can apply for a PGWP. This means completion of your degree requirements, which could be weeks or even months before your convocation ceremony. You can check with your registrar’s office to determine the earliest date when they can provide a letter confirming that you have completed the requirements of your academic program.
If you apply for a PGWP before the expiry of your study permit, you can begin legally working in Canada immediately while awaiting a decision on your application. However, if you apply from outside Canada, it may be problematic to enter Canada and start working before your work permit has been approved.
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Working during studies
In Canada, international students can work during their studies if they have a valid study permit. Students with a study permit are allowed to work on and off-campus during non-study time, with a limit of 20 hours per week. However, once they receive their final grades, their study permit no longer allows them to work, and they must apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) to continue working in Canada.
The PGWP allows eligible graduates to work in Canada for a specified period, which can range from 8 months to 3 years, depending on the length of their full-time study program. To be eligible for a PGWP, individuals must meet several requirements. Firstly, they must have completed a program of study at a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution, with a minimum duration of 8 months or 900 hours for Quebec programs. Secondly, they must have maintained full-time student status in Canada during each semester of their study program, although part-time study during the final semester is permitted. Additionally, applicants must submit their PGWP application within 180 days of receiving confirmation of completing their program or within 180 days of their study permit expiring, whichever comes first. Another crucial requirement is demonstrating proficiency in English or French, with minimum language test scores specified.
It is important to note that working after graduation and before receiving final transcripts or applying for a PGWP is considered working illegally. Therefore, international students are advised to carefully review the eligibility requirements and apply promptly to maintain their legal work status in Canada.
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Work permit length
The length of a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) ranges from 8 months to 3 years, based on the length of the applicant's full-time program, not the amount of time spent completing program requirements. The reviewing officer will make the final decision on the length of the PGWP. It is possible to combine the lengths of two PGWP-eligible programs if the applicant completes their second program within 2 years of completing their first. For example, a 4-year undergraduate degree can be combined with a 1-year certificate completed within 2 years of finishing the first program, making the applicant eligible for a 3-year PGWP.
PGWPs are issued only once in a lifetime and cannot be issued beyond the length of the applicant's passport. If an applicant's passport will expire during the anticipated length of their PGWP, they must take steps to ensure their passport remains valid. If an applicant has plans to continue studying in Canada, they may wish to apply after completing their second program to make full use of their work permit.
If an applicant's study permit is still valid, they can work part-time. Once they apply for a PGWP, they can work full-time on implied status until a decision is made, provided their study permit was still valid when they applied.
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Work permit renewal
International students can work after graduation, but the process and requirements vary depending on the country. For instance, in Canada, international students can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) to work after graduation. In the United States, international students on F-1 visas may be eligible for Economic Hardship Employment Authorization, which allows them to work off-campus due to severe economic hardship.
Now, for work permit renewal, here is some information regarding the process and requirements for extending a work permit in Canada and the US:
To renew or extend a work permit in Canada, you must apply to extend it before it expires. It is recommended to apply for the extension at least 30 days before the current permit expires. There may be specific eligibility requirements and procedures depending on your situation, so it is essential to review the guidelines provided by the Canadian government.
In the US, the process of renewing an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) involves filing Form I-765 with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The form should be filed within 6 months or 180 days before the expiration date of the current EAD. There is no filing fee for current or former military service members under the Immigrant Military Members and Veterans Initiative (IMMVI). However, for others, there may be a filing fee, and the payment methods accepted include money orders, personal checks, cashier's checks, or credit/debit cards.
It is important to note that employment authorization for international students in the US is typically terminated upon graduation. Therefore, if you are an international student seeking to renew your work permit, ensure that you understand the specific regulations and eligibility criteria that apply to your situation.
Additionally, when renewing your work permit, ensure that you provide all the required documentation, follow the correct procedures, and submit your application within the recommended timeframe to increase your chances of a successful renewal.
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Frequently asked questions
International students can work after graduation in Canada, but they must apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
To be eligible for a PGWP, you must have completed a program of study at a designated learning institution that was at least 8 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, and 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 be valid during the 180 days after you graduate and before you submit your PGWP application.
There are no field of study requirements for graduates with a bachelor's degree, master's degree, or doctoral degree. However, if you apply for a study permit on or after November 1, 2024, and start a certificate or diploma program, your program must meet a field of study requirement.
You must prove your English or French language skills with a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7 in English or Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7 in French across all 4 language areas. Only certain language tests are accepted, and your test results must be less than 2 years old when you submit your PGWP application.
