Converting Student Visa To Work Permit In Canada
If you would like to get a job in Canada, but are having difficulty getting the working visa for Canada, then there is nothing to worry about. Getting a new working visa based on your current status is not a difficult task and can be completed easily with the help of the Canadian Lawyer. Just convert your student working visa into work permit to enjoy the benefits of a work permit for canada.
Canada has always been an active participant in the international student exchange programs. If you meet the eligibility requirements of the Canadian Federal Government, then it’s possible for you to be granted a Canadian student visa, so that you can come to Canada and study at any of the participating schools across the nation. Once your student visa expires, it becomes necessary for you to find a way to legally work in Canada.
Converting Student Visa To Work Permit In Canada
As one of the leading online immigration consulting firms in Canada, we have been using our valuable time to help candidates through their work permit application process. Canada government requires international students to have Canadian work permits so that they can legally work. A lot of students are not aware about the above point and end up without a job for most of the time when they finish their studies. Learning English language is not only about tuning your ear to British accents but it is also about enhancing your skills, which helps you in getting better jobs.
Can a Study Permit be Changed to a Work Permit in Canada?
Published on: November 24th, 2021
Last updated: June 3rd, 2022
By: Lauren Boorman
Completing a credential from a Canadian designated learning institution is a great option for individuals looking to eventually work and settle in the country. At some point in your studies, you may want to start working in Canada. The process of changing your study permit to a work permit will depend on where you are at in your program.CONTACT US TO DISCUSS YOUR WORK PERMIT NEEDS
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.
If you are studying in Canada and would like to learn more about your options to transition to Canadian permanent residency, we invite you to complete our free online assessment form.