⚠️Not all Canadian colleges can accept international students ⚠️. To issue a Letter of Acceptance (LOA), the college must be a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). However, you should also know that not all DLIs have Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligible programs. If you want to learn more about these acronyms, we've written an article covering all the terms you should know if you plan to study in Canada.
In this article, we provide an overview of Canada’s international student program and how it can impact your decisions.
Decoding Canada's International Student Program
First, let's dive into the ins and outs of Canada's International Student Program. This program holds great value for Canada, as international students contribute more than $22.3 billion annually to the Canadian economy, surpassing the export values of automotive parts, lumber, or aircraft 🌍💸.
However, such a large sum of money needs to be protected and the government has done two things for this.
It has created education standards for schools wishing to welcome international students through the DLI status.
It has added measures to standardize the quality of programs to ensure students are satisfied and continue coming.
However, this is a double-edged sword, as bureaucracy can prevent schools from being responsive to global trends and technology and quickly make their programs outdated. For example, you might be studying a book in your marketing class that still refers to X as Twitter and does not mention TikTok.
Which schools offer a Post-Graduation Work Permit
Having said that, if you plan to apply for a program and are interested in a PGWP, the first step is to make sure that the college/university you are applying to is on the DLI list and if it offers PGWP eligible programs. Additionally, do your research on the school to make sure that the specific program you want gives you a PGWP and beware of Diploma Mills. These are schools that don’t really care about properly teaching you and abuse their DLI status to just take your money and hand out diplomas. It will benefit you to learn what to expect when studying a diploma in Canada and reading Google Reviews of the school.
Minimum requirements for a PGWP
Let us give you a basic idea of the requirements for a PGWP. From the schools point of view, they need to work closely with IRCC (immigration) to get the program approved. These programs must meet criteria set by immigration authorities, such as minimum duration and level of study.
From your point of view, here’s what the government requires for you to be eligible for this permit:
You have completed an academic, vocational or professional training program at an eligible institution in Canada that is at least 8 months in duration leading to a degree, diploma or certificate.
You have maintained full-time student status in Canada during each academic session of your program (some exceptions apply).
You have received a transcript and an official letter from the eligible DLI confirming that you have met the requirements to complete your program of study.
Note: You have to include your transcript and official letter in your PGWP application.
Bonus: can I work while I wait for my PGWP?
If you have applied for your Post-Graduation Work Permit and are wondering if you can work while the government decides whether to approve or deny your request, the answer is yes. You can work in Canada in the meantime, but only if you meet all of these criteria:
You have or had a valid study permit when you applied for PGWP
You were a full-time student enrolled at a DLI
Your permit said you were authorized to work off campus without a work permit
You did not exceed the allowable hours of work
Choosing a school involves more than its DLI status or whether it offers PGWP-eligible programs. We want you to have all the facts to help you make the right decision. We have written numerous articles about schools and life in Canada overall. Check them out and feel free to contact us if you need additional assistance. 😉
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