Can I Change My Study Permit To Work Permit In Canada
You are currently a full-time student in Canada and you want to know if you can change your study permit to a work permit. This is a common misconception among international students as they assume that their study permits would automatically be changed into work permits as soon as they graduate. If you are currently a full-time student in Canada and you want to learn more about changing your study permit to a work permit, this article on the process of changing your Canadian study permit to Canadian work permit will provide all the details you need through our step-by-step guide.
Can I Change My Study Permit To Work Permit In Canada
To change your study permit into work permit you need to go through a process of applying for a new study permit or extending your current study permit. Either way, you will be required to apply for a new work permit with the same employer once it’s approved.
Study permit means that candidates who come to Canada for pursuing their education must have the study permit. The original purpose of the study permit is to make sure the students are able to pursue their studies in Canada. Once the students have completed their education in Canada, they can apply for work permit so that they can work and gain some experience in the Canadian economy.
Work while studying
If you are currently enrolled in full-time studies at a Canadian educational institution, you may be eligible to work part-time, or in some cases, full-time.
Study permit holders are permitted to work up to 20-hours per week, or full-time during a scheduled break. You do not need to apply for a separate work permit to work part-time as a Canadian study permit holder. However, it must be indicated on your study permit that you are authorized to work in Canada. If you are eligible to work, but your study permit does not state that you may work or accept employment in Canada, you can apply to have your permit amended.
Certain educational programs in Canada require students to complete a co-op or internship work placement as part of their program of study. If you meet the requirements for a co-op or intern work permit, you may be eligible to work full-time for part of your studies.
Changing to a work permit after completing your studies
After completing a credential at a designated learning institution (DLI), you may be eligible to apply for a post-graduation work permit. Post-graduation work permits are granted to international students upon graduation from a DLI and can be issued for up to three years.
The benefit of a post-graduation work permit is that it is not tied to any specific employer, occupation, or location. This is also known as an open work permit. With an open work permit, you may work in any role, anywhere in Canada.
Upon completing the requirements for your studies, you have 180 days to apply for an open work permit. An application for a post-graduate work permit can be submitted from overseas or within Canada.
Changing to a work permit before completing your studies
If you decide to stop studying in Canada before you have completed your credential, obtaining a work permit in Canada will require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), with few exceptions. That means finding a valid Canadian job offer with an employer willing to support your work permit application by securing an LMIA.
An LMIA demonstrates that the Canadian employer was unable to find a permanent resident or citizen to fill the role. Individuals on a closed work permit are afforded less mobility than those on an open work permit. Unlike an open post-graduate work permit, a closed LMIA work permit is tied to a specific employer, role, and location.
It is important to note that your study permit would no longer be considered valid once you stop studying. As such, you must inform Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that you are terminating your studies. If you do not have status in Canada, you will need to leave the country while waiting for your work permit application to process.