Thousands of students enter Canada with study permits each year. Canada grants study permits to individuals from around the world so that they may enter Canada and study here in a designated educational institution in Canada. It is an opportunity from Canadian government to the students and individuals from around the world to pursue their studies in Canada in different types of educational Programs specified by Canadian government. After getting study permit, you can:

• Work in Canada on study permit
• Get permanent residency after studies

If the study is longer than six months, study permit is required. This permit is not necessary where the student is a family or staff member of a person who is staying in Canada as a foreign representative. The requirements which must be fulfilled so that a person might get a study permit are

• The educational institution in Canada must give an acceptance letter to the applicant.
• The applicant must show in his application that he has sufficient funds for his or her stay in Canada.

In certain cases, police clearance certificate PCC is also required apart from medical examination of the individual. Sometimes the applicant may have to obtain a temporary resident visa.

From Study Permit to Permanent Residency

Students can easily transit from Canada study permit to Canadian permanent resident status. International students who have been admitted in Canada for the purpose of study can apply for the permanent resident status in Canada either during their study in Canada or after their studies have completed. However they must meet all the legal requirements for getting the permanent resident status. In certain circumstances the students can also apply for the study visa as well as the permanent resident status at the same time.

In order to apply for permanent residency, the students can either opt for Canada Experience Class (CEC) or Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

• Canada Experience Class (CEC) – Students who have been working in Canada for at least 12 months qualified in this immigration Program. Student must be working in the skilled occupation and the qualifying experience must be within three years of making the application. The work experience can be obtained through Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). However please note that the internship period does not count towards time requirement of Canadian work experience.
• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) – The second option is Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP). Many provinces have their own Provincial Nominee Programs which help foreign students in cutting permanent residency in Canada. Most of the students to apply for provincial Nominee Program are those who have post secondary education qualifications. The PNP requirements vary from province to province and in certain cases, work experience or a job offer is essential. The PNP Programs deliver faster results and therefore are preferred bye foreign students in certain cases.

Work in Canada on study permit

Before foreign students can come to Canada to pursue studies on study visa, they have to show that they have sufficient financial resources for continuing their studies as well as for their living expenses. Students presently, have an opportunity that they can work while they are pursuing their studies in Canada. Foreign students do not need a work permit to work off campus if if the work is up to 20 hours per week. This helps the students in mitigating their financial burden. Students can also work full time when they have academic breaks.

International students, therefore, have the following options –

• They can work off campus without a work permit
• The off campus employment it is allowed for up to 20 hours per week
• They can work full time in academic breaks
• Students need not wait for 6 months before starting work on the basis of study permit

However it is important and mandatory that foreign students who are in Canada for study must be registered at Canadian educational institution. Moreover play should also obtain is social Insurance number from the Government of Canada. The student who has started working on the basis of study permit must continue to meet all the requirements of study permit during the term of employment. However coma foreign students who are participating in second language classes are not eligible to work during their study in the absence of a positive Labor Market Impact Assessment. A foreign student is responsible for himself to confirm that he is eligible for off campus work during studies.