Study in Canada
and stay in Canada

• Important! Choose an education institution that is eligible to host international students and is eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit Program:
  • A Canadian educational institution has to be approved by the government to host international students and should have a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) number assigned by the government of Canada.
  • Not all designated learning institutions are eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program.  If an international student is not able to work after completing an education program in Canada, their opportunities to apply for permanent residence will be greatly limited.  Contact us for a Consultation.

• Financial Ability to pay for the Canadian education and for the living expenses in Canada:  Students are required to demonstrate financial sufficiency for at least the first year of studies in Canada (tuition + living expenses).  If you cannot clearly demonstrate your financial abilities, your Study Permit application will be most likely refused;
• Ties to Your Home Country and Ties to Canada: Regardless of any future intentions to immigrate to Canada, the applicant’s intention to study in Canada has to be temporary.  IRCC officers will assess your willingness and ability to return to your home country at the end of your authorized stay as a student.  Showing strong ties to your home country, such as immediate family and assets, will improve the chances of the Study Permit application approval.  On the other hand, having ties to Canada (family members, property, etc.) can decrease the chances of receiving a Study Permit.
• Education Program: Unless the applicant just finished high-school, the proposed Canadian education program should be related to your previous education and/or working experience or otherwise make sense in light of the applicant’s personal background. For example, your Canadian education program should be at a higher level than your previous education (i.e. If you already have a Bachelor degree, you should apply for a Master’s degree in Canada);
• Travel History:  You have a much higher chance of being approved for a Canadian Study Permit if you have previously traveled to the countries of Western Europe, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the United Kingdome, and other developed countries, without violating immigration laws of these countries.
• Economic and Political Situation in Your Home Country: It would be more difficult to obtain a Canadian Study Permit if you are applying from a country that is going through political and/or economic turmoil because an immigration officer might think that the situation in your home country can prevent you from leaving Canada at the end of your authorized stay.

• Full-time students in Canada are allowed to work a limited number of hours during their studies and breaks;
• After completion of a qualified study program in Canada and meeting certain requirements, international students can be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) for up to 3 years.  PGWP is an “Open Work Permit” meaning that students can work for any employer in Canada in any occupation without needing a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment to be obtained by a Canadian employer.

• Federal Economic Immigration Programs under the Express Entry system:  International students can obtain additional points for Canadian education, Canadian working experience and for a job offer from a Canadian employer that gives them an advantage over other applicants in the Express Entry pool:
  • Canadian Experience Class
  • Federal Skilled Worker
• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP): Most provincial and territorial nominee programs have special streams for international students who graduated from a Canadian educational institution.  International students that cannot obtain enough points to be selected to apply for permanent residence through the Express Entry streams can take advantage of the PNP programs:
  • Most PNPs have Express-Entry and Paper-Based immigration streams for international students.
    • A provincial nomination received by an Express Entry candidate will add 600 points to the candidate’s Comprehensive Ranking System score;
    • A paper-based provincial nomination will allow the candidate to apply for permanent residence outside of Express Entry on paper.
  • Most streams are employer-driven that require an applicant to have a job offer from a provincial/territorial employer;
  • Some provinces have a point-based system and a selection process that is similar to Express Entry (the highest-ranked applicants receive an invitation to apply for a nomination).

After submitting an application for permanent residence, students can be eligible for a work permit that will allow them to stay and work in Canada until their PR application is finalized:

• Bridging Open Work Permit
• Provincial Nominee Work Permit