For people planning to work and live in Canada in the future, acquiring a certificate from one of the country’s authorized educational institutions is a terrific choice. You might desire to begin working in Canada at some time after finishing your courses. Where you are in your program will determine how to convert your study permit to a work permit.
Work while studying
You might be qualified to work full-time on or off campus if you are now enrolled full-time in studies at a Canadian educational institution.
Holders of study permits may now work more than 20 hours a week when they are studying or taking a specified break. As a holder of a Canadian study permit, you do not require a separate work permit. However, your study permission must state that you are qualified to work in Canada. You can request to have your study permit changed if it does not explicitly specify that you may work or accept employment in Canada but you are qualified to do so.
The completion of a co-op or internship work placement is a requirement for some educational programs in Canada. You might be qualified to work full-time while enrolled in school if you meet the requirements for a co-op or intern work visa.
Changing to a work permit after completing your studies
You might be qualified to apply for a post-graduation work visa after acquiring a certificate at a designated learning institution (DLI). International students who graduate from a DLI are given post-graduation employment permits that can be valid for up to three years.
A post-graduation work permit has the advantage that it is not connected to any particular business, profession, or location. An open work permit is another name for this. You can work in any position, anywhere in Canada, if you have an open work permit.
You have 180 days from the time your studies are finished to submit an application for an open work permit. You can apply for a post-graduate work visa from outside of Canada or inside it.
Changing to a work permit before completing your studies
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) may be necessary to acquire a work permit in Canada if you decide to leave Canada before earning your credential. That entails locating a legitimate job offer in Canada from a business that is prepared to assist your work visa application by obtaining an LMIA.
An LMIA proves that the Canadian employer was unsuccessful in hiring a citizen or permanent resident for the position. Less mobility is available to persons with closed work permits than to those with open work permits. A closed LMIA work permit is connected to a particular employer, position, and location as opposed to an open post-graduate work permit.
It’s vital to remember that once you stop studying, your study permit will no longer be regarded as being valid. As a result, you need to let Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada (IRCC) know that your studies are coming to an end. If you don’t have legal status in Canada, you’ll have to depart while your work permit application is being processed.
