Can I Keep Working After My Studies?
Congratulations! You have completed your studies in Canada. So what is the next step? I’ve listed the three most common scenarios below:
For most applicants, the next step will be applying for a PGWP.
For some applicants, the next step will be applying for a PGWP. However, they may have not yet received their final grades and/or program completion letter.
Additionally, many applicants who have completed a one year program, will go on to study a subsequent one year program.
Whichever scenario applies to you, you must ensure that you follow IRCC regulations in regards to working post-graduation.
Can I work while I am waiting to receive my post-graduation work permit?
You can work full-time while waiting for a decision on your post-graduation work permit (PGWP) application if, at the time you submitted your application, all of the following applied to your situation:
You had a valid study permit.
You had completed your program of study.
You were eligible to work off campus without a permit.
You did not work off campus more than 20 hours a week during academic sessions.
Kindly note, if your study permit expires before you apply for a PGWP, even if you are on maintained status, you CAN NOT WORK UNTIL YOU RECIEVE A PGWP. In addition to applying for a PGWP, you MUST apply to restore your status.
Futhermore, if you leave Canada BEFORE you PGWP is formally approved, you will lose the authorization to work. In cases where you need to travel while your PGWP is still processing, you can ask for your PGWP to be issued to you at the border.
Students who have not applied for a PGWP subsequent to completion of study
Students may work off campus on a part-time basis if the following applies:
they meet the eligibility criteria to work off campus [R186(v)]
they have completed the final academic requirements for their program of study but have not yet received written confirmation of program completion from their institution (for instance, a transcript, an official letter or an email)
they have not applied for a work permit or a study permit extension or enrolled in a subsequent program of study
They may work until the first date they receive written confirmation of program completion from their educational institution (for instance, an email, a letter, a transcript or a diploma), provided their study permit remains valid during this period. If the study permit becomes invalid [as per R222] before the student receives the notification of program completion from their institution, the student must cease working the day the study permit becomes invalid.
Once a student receives written confirmation of program completion from their institution, they are no longer authorized to continue to work in Canada, as they no longer meet the eligibility criteria in paragraph R186(v). They should apply to change their status (for instance, to visitor status) or leave Canada before their study permit becomes invalid as per section R222.
It is extremely important to note that a student CAN NOT take advantage of working on maintained status AFTER they receive their final grades. There used to be some gray area regarding this. However, the relevant stakeholder report states:
Non-compliance with study permit conditions or the act of working without authorization may result in enforcement action. It may also negatively affect future applications made under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the IRPR. For example, a subsequent study permit or work permit may not be issued.
Students who have completed a program of study and will be starting a new program of study within 150 days of receiving a written confirmation of program completion from their current institution
Students may work off campus on a full-time basis until the start of their new program if the following applies:
they meet the eligibility criteria to work off campus [R186(v)]
they have received written confirmation of program completion from their current institution (for instance, a transcript or an official letter)
they have submitted an application to change conditions, extend their stay or remain in Canada as a student before their current study permit expired, or they still have a valid study permit
they have been issued a letter of acceptance to a subsequent program of full-time study at a DLI and will be starting the new program within 150 calendar days of receiving a notification of program completion from their current institution
If the new program of study starts more than 150 calendar days after the first date they receive written confirmation of program completion from their current institution, the student is eligible to work off campus only during the first 150 consecutive days after the first date they receive written confirmation of program completion. They should then either apply to change their status (for instance, change it into visitor status) or leave Canada until their new program commences.
Students who have applied to extend their stay in Canada as a student are required to cease working if their study permit application is refused.
We hope you found this article helpful!
Work Cited:
https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=1181
