Online Students are Now Eligible to Get a Post-Study Work Permit in Canada

It’s been a long time since the world is facing a big challenge in the name of COVID – 19. It’s delightful that the impacts are diminishing now. As a result, the countries that locked their borders for foreign travelers are reopening the borders. In the last quarter, many prominent countries like Canada, the USA, the UK, and Australia made significant changes to the traveling guidelines in favor of international people. The countries not only focused on international students but helped non-essential travelers as well. 

The outbreak of COVID – 19 impacted the immigration process of almost all nations. This made the skilled professionals and international students who desired to study or work overseas to be in pain. The only country that encouraged immigration in such a tough phase is Canada. The country is continually making announcements pleasant for foreign nationals. In the chain, one more declaration has been made by the Canada Immigration department which says, the international students who have completed their studies 100% online from outside the Canadian boundaries will be eligible to apply for the post-study work visa. Let’s get into the details of the declaration

Important Points of the Announcement

• As per the usual scenario, a student must hold a valid Canada study permit to be eligible to apply for the post-study work visa. However, as per the recent declaration made by the Canadian immigration department, having a valid Canada study permit is not mandatory to apply for a post-study work visa in Canada.
• The documents that will be required to apply for the post-study work visa in Canada in this case include
  • Degree or Diploma Certificate
  • Transcript or
  • Course completion letter from the institute

The candidates must hold at least two of the above-mentioned documents and have a time of 180 days after acquisition to apply for the post-study work visa successfully. 

Eligibility Criteria to Apply for the Post-Graduation Work Permit

• The student must have been admitted to a program that was in progress in March 2020 or
• Started or will start the program between spring 2020 and fall 2021.
• The candidate either holds a Canada study permit or has been qualified for a Canada study permit or has lodged the application for a Canada study permit (that must be approved in the end).

If the Candidate has Completed the Study Program

• The program must be completed from a Designated Learning Institute in Canada.
• The minimum duration of the program must be eight months.
• The program must be a diploma, degree, or certificate program.

Other Criteria

• The student must be a full-time student in each semester of the program. Relaxation can be expected for the final semester.
• If a student has discontinued the studies or changed the status to part-time between March 2020 and fall 2020 because of COVID – 19 then also the student can qualify for the post-graduation work permit.
• The student must have studied in any of the following

– A public-funded post-secondary school such as a university, college, 

– The private colleges in Canada will also work provided the candidate is enrolled in a program that directs him to an authorized provincial degree.

– private post-secondary schools in Quebec provided they are functioning according to the same regulations as the public schools.

Qualifying for the Post-Study Work Permit – Exceptions

The student will not qualify for a post-graduation work permit if

• He has got first stage approval for a Canada study permit but the final decision has not come yet.
• has already obtained a post-graduation work permit in the past.
• English or French was a second study language for him.
• studied in non-Canadian institutes in Canada.
• finished the maximum part of the study through distance learning like e-learning or online classes.
• took part in the government of Canada’s award programs sponsored by Global Affairs Canada.
• pursued general interest or self-improvement courses.

Endnote

Giving post-graduation work permit to the international students who could not travel to Canada because of COVID – 19 is an appreciable step taken by the Canada immigration department. But, the impact of online studies on the CRS points of the students is not clear yet. Maybe we will get an update on the same very soon. Till then, let’s hope for the best and keep a close eye on the new updates.

For more information on Canada immigration, Canada PR, and associated details, connect with our Canada immigration consultants!