Can a Study Permit be changed to a Work Permit in Canada?

Individuals interested in working and settling in Canada should consider getting a certificate from a Canadian recognized learning institution.

You may desire to work in Canada at some time throughout your study. The procedure for converting your study visa to a work permit in Canada can vary depending on your program.

1. Work while you study

You may be qualified to work part-time or full-time if you are currently enrolled in full-time study at a Canadian educational institution.

Holders of a study permit are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week or full-time during a designated break. As a Canadian study permit holder, you do not need to apply for a separate work permit in Canada to work part-time.

However, you must declare that you are authorized to work in Canada on your study permit. You can request to have your study permit changed if you are eligible to work but your study permit does not say that you are allowed to work or accept employment in Canada.

As part of their program of study, certain educational programs in Canada require students to complete a co-op or internship work placement.

You may be able to work full-time for part of your studies if you complete the conditions for a co-op or intern work visa. This is the major way to change your study visa to a work permit in Canada while you are pursuing your education.

2. Working after the completion of the course

You may be qualified to apply for a post-graduation work visa after finishing a credential at a designated learning institution (DLI).

International students who graduate from a DLI are granted post-graduation work permits, which are valid for up to three years. A post-graduation work visa has the advantage of not being tied to a specific employer, occupation, or region. An open work permit is another name for this. You can work in any job, anywhere in Canada, with an open work permit.

You have 180 days from the completion of your education to apply for an open work permit. A post-graduate work permit application can be submitted from anywhere in the world.

3. Getting to work before completion of the course

With rare exceptions, acquiring a work permit in Canada will require a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) if you decide to discontinue study in Canada before completing your credential. That involves receiving a valid job offer in Canada from an employer prepared to back up your work visa application with an LMIA.

An LMIA establishes that the Canadian employer was unable to fill the position with a permanent resident or citizen. People who have a closed work permit in Canada, have less mobility than those who have an open work permit.

A closed LMIA work permit, unlike an open post-graduate work visa, is attached to a certain employer, position, and location. It’s vital to keep in mind that your study permit will no longer be valid.

As a result, you must notify Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (CICC) 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 processed.

Post-Graduation Work permit in Canada

The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) of Canada allows graduates of qualified Canadian recognized learning institutions to get an open job permit in order to gain valuable Canadian work experience. 

Graduates with skilled Canadian work experience in national occupational codes A, O, or B obtained through the PGWPP are eligible for permanent residence in Canada through the Canadian experience class, which is part of Express Entry. 

Labor Market Impact Assessments are not required for post-graduation employment permits. Graduates can work after graduation, just like they can with any other open work permit.

• Full-time employment
• Part-time work
• Self-employment

Validity of post-graduation work permits

Depending on the length of the study program, a post-graduation work visa of at least 8 months and up to 3 years may be granted.

It may take into account the length of the program of study in Canada and verify it with supporting documents when determining the period of a post-graduation work visa. Breaks that are regularly scheduled (for example, scheduled winter and summer vacations) must be factored into the total time accrued for the duration of the post-graduation work permit in Canada.

Eligibility requirements for a post-graduation work permit in Canada

 Candidates who have received a DVS or AVS from a Quebec vocational institution must meet all of the following requirements: 

• They must be 18 years old or older at the time of application.
• A full-time vocational or professional training program at an eligible institution in Quebec must have been completed.
• They should have been enrolled in a program that lasted at least 900 hours (comparable to 8 months)
• They should have produced an official letter from the institution detailing the length of the program of study (in hours or months) They should include at least one of the following:
• The credential
• An official attestation of program completion
• An official transcript from a Quebec school board or private institution recognized by the MEES in support of the work permit application.

Labor Market Impact Assessment work permit in Canada

The Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), commonly known as the "LMO," is a document that is required of most employers in Canada when hiring a foreign worker.

A confirm nation letter, also known as a positive LMIA, indicates that a foreign worker is required to fill the position. It also demonstrates that no Canadian worker or permanent resident is available to work in Canada. The worker can apply for a work visa after the company receives the LMIA. 

Eligibility

It will send you ESDC when you submit your LMIA application. When you review your application, you will have to take into account a few factors. These are some of the causes:

• There are Canadians available in the region that are eager to fill the position.
• The employer goes to great lengths to fill the post of Canadian employee.
• A foreigner will hire a Canadian to assist the centre and keep jobs in Canada.
• By Canadian labour standards, the working conditions are adequate.
• The employer or the industry is the job slang used in ongoing labour disputes.

For further information and guidance regarding work permits in Canada, do contact Swis Immigration. We are always here to help and guide you throughout the process.

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