Ibrahim Gardner
Canada is a popular destination for international students, offering the lowest tuition rates compared to the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. The country also boasts diverse and inclusive cultures, and over one-fifth of its residents were born outside of Canada. For international students in the US looking to transition to Canada, there are several pathways to obtaining Canadian permanent residency (PR), including through work, study, or entrepreneurship. One common route is to obtain a study permit, which requires enrollment in an academic program of more than six months at a qualifying learning institution. This permit allows international students to work full-time during their studies without affecting their eligibility for post-graduation work authorizations. Additionally, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is an attractive option, as it is an open work permit that does not restrict vocation, employer, or location. However, it is important to note that the PGWP cannot be renewed or extended. For those interested in pursuing a study permit, the process involves submitting various documents, including proof of financial support and a valid letter of acceptance from the chosen learning institution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| International students in Canada | Can study remotely for up to 50% of their courses |
| Can work full-time during their studies without affecting their eligibility for post-graduation work authorizations | |
| Can obtain a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) | |
| Cannot receive financial aid from the Canadian government | |
| Must have a valid electronic travel authorization (eTA) | |
| Must have enough money for their stay | |
| Must have ties to their home country | |
| Must have proof of acceptance from an approved Designated Learning Institution (DLI) | |
| Must have a valid study permit |
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What You'll Learn
Apply for a study permit
To apply for a study permit in Canada, you must be a foreign national and apply from outside of Canada. The processing time for a study permit application may vary from one visa office to another, but it usually takes 6-10 weeks for approval.
Firstly, you need to set up an account on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website. Here, you can check the status of your application, which is updated daily.
Secondly, you must obtain a letter of acceptance from a Canadian college or university. Ensure that your chosen institution is a designated learning institution (DLI) approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students.
Thirdly, you must apply for a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) if you plan to study in Quebec. A PAL or CAQ confirms that you have a place in the province's share of study permit applications.
Finally, submit your application online or by paper. If you are between 14 and 79 years old, you will need to submit your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) with your application. You should pay the biometrics fee when submitting your application to avoid processing delays.
If your study permit is approved, you will receive written authorization from an officer allowing you to study in Canada. However, note that your study permit becomes invalid 90 days after your study program is completed.
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Get a new study permit to change schools
As an international student in Canada, you must meet the conditions of your study permit and keep your profile information updated in your online account. If you are planning to change schools, the procedure will depend on your situation.
If you are moving from primary to secondary school, you do not need to change or apply for a study permit extension if your study permit is still valid, unless your study permit has conditions that limit you from doing so. The same rule applies if you are changing designated learning institutions (DLIs) within primary or secondary levels.
However, if you are moving from secondary to post-secondary school, you will need to apply for a new study permit by extending your current one. This also applies if you are changing DLIs at the post-secondary level. To apply for an extension, you must include documents that prove that you meet the criteria to begin studying at the new DLI while your new application is in progress. You can only start studying at your new school while waiting for a decision on your study permit extension application if you meet the following criteria:
- You stayed in Canada since you received your letter of acceptance (LOA) from the new DLI.
- You continue to meet the conditions of your previous study permit.
- Before you completed your course or program of study, you find yourself in one of the following situations with the previous DLI:
- You were enrolled and actively studying, but your program ended.
- You were enrolled and actively studying, but your DLI lost its status as a designated learning institution.
- You were enrolled and actively studying, but your DLI closed or discontinued your program.
- You were enrolled and actively studying, but your DLI no longer offered your program.
Additionally, if you are in a co-op program and are changing to a co-op program at a different school, you must apply for a new co-op work permit.
It is important to note that there is a time limit for transferring from one school to another. If you decide to change schools and stop studying at your current institution, you must start or resume your studies at the new school within 150 days. If you fail to do so, you must submit an application to Immigration Canada to change your status or leave the country immediately.
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Apply for permanent residency
International students in Canada can benefit from several pathways to obtaining permanent residency. One of the most common ways to start this journey is by obtaining a study permit, which can be done concurrently with applying for permanent residency under the "dual intent" practice accepted by Canadian immigration law.
To qualify for a study permit, the academic program must be longer than six months and be undertaken at a qualifying learning institution, such as a university or accredited college. International students can study remotely for up to 50% of their courses and work full-time without affecting their eligibility for post-graduation work authorizations.
After graduating, international students can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which is an open work permit with no conditions on vocation, employer, or location. The PGWP can last from eight months to three years, depending on the length of the academic program, and cannot be renewed or extended. However, the Canadian government has introduced measures to further extend the PGWP under specific circumstances.
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is one of the fastest ways to obtain permanent residency and requires applicants to have at least 12 months of continuous, full-time, skilled work experience in Canada within the previous three years. This work experience can be obtained through the PGWP. Alternatively, students can gain Canadian work experience by applying for a Canadian Post-Graduation Work Permit.
Another option is through the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), which are employer-driven and offered by many provinces. PNPs may require work experience and a job offer, and applications are typically processed faster compared to other immigration programs.
Overall, there are numerous pathways for international students to transition to Canadian permanent residency, and the specific steps may depend on the student's circumstances.
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Work full-time during studies
International students in Canada can work full-time during their studies without affecting their eligibility for post-graduation work authorisations. Working full-time during studies can be beneficial for international students intending to transition from the US to Canada, as it helps gain work experience and points toward earning Canadian permanent residency.
To work full-time during studies in Canada, international students must meet certain requirements. Firstly, they must be enrolled as full-time students at a designated learning institution (DLI). Secondly, they must have a valid study permit that authorises off-campus work. Students can apply for a study permit online or obtain a paper application from a visa application centre. The permit may allow students to work off-campus for up to 24 hours per week without a separate work permit. However, to work full-time, international students may need to apply for a work permit or post-graduation work permit (PGWP) before their study permit expires.
The PGWP is an open work permit that allows international graduates to work in Canada with no restrictions on vocation, employer, or location. It is valid for eight months to three years, depending on the length of the academic program completed. To be eligible for a PGWP, individuals must have completed a qualifying academic program and apply within 180 days of graduation.
Additionally, international students intending to work full-time during their studies in Canada should ensure that their program includes work placements or internships that account for 50% or less of their total program of study. Working full-time during studies can provide financial support and practical work experience, enhancing an international student's transition from the US to Canada and long-term career prospects in the country.
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Submit documents for a new DLI
To submit documents for a new Designated Learning Institution (DLI), you must ensure that the new school is a DLI. All primary and secondary schools in Canada are DLIs, but post-secondary schools must receive permission from the provincial government to accept international students. Therefore, if you are applying to a post-secondary school, make sure it is on the list of Canadian DLIs.
If you are changing DLIs, you need to apply for a new study permit by extending your current one. This can be done by submitting a new letter of acceptance and a provincial or territorial attestation letter (if needed) in the IRCC web form. A new study permit is also required if you are switching back to a secondary-level school.
In most cases, you must apply to extend your study permit to include the new institution. However, if you are an international student changing your program within the same DLI, there is no requirement to change your study permit or contact IRCC, unless your study permit has certain conditions listed that will be affected by the change.
If you are moving to a school in Quebec, you must obtain an attestation of issuance of your Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) and submit this with your study permit application. If you are changing between schools that are vocational training centres (VTCs), you do not need to apply for a new study permit but will need a new CAQ.
Additionally, starting November 1, 2024, eligibility requirements for PGWP applicants changed. If you submitted your study permit application before this date and are applying for a PGWP on or after November 1, 2024, you must meet the new language proficiency and study program requirements.
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Frequently asked questions
To change from being an international student in the US to Canada, you will need to apply for a study permit. This is the most common pathway for Canadian permanent residency. The academic program must be more than six months long and at a qualifying learning institution, such as a university or accredited college. You can apply for a study permit online or obtain a paper application from a visa application centre.
To apply for a study permit, you will need a valid letter of acceptance from your school, letters of reference, and other documents the visa office requests. You will also need a valid electronic travel authorization (eTA), a valid visitor visa, a valid green card, or another valid travel document. Proof that you have enough money to support yourself and any dependents during your stay in Canada is also required.
Canada offers the lowest tuition rates for international students compared to the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. The strong US dollar also means you will benefit from lower living expenses. International students can work full-time during their studies without affecting their eligibility for post-graduation work authorizations. After graduating, international students can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) to gain work experience and points towards earning Canadian permanent residency.
