Temporary Status

Study Permits

Foreigners usually need a Study Permit to study in Canada. Recent changes to immigration policy has allowed for flexibility in changing schools, and working in Canada both during your studies and after graduation. To qualify for a Study Permit, you must:

- Have an acceptance letter from a qualified Canadian school
- Have sufficient funds for your tuition and living costs
- In certain cases, pass a medical exam
- Establish that you are a bona fide student (example you will not   remain in Canada illegally after   your studies are complete)

Working as a Student

There are a number of possibilities to work in Canada while you are studying. Qualifying work-study programs, where the work forms an integral part of the program of studies;

1. On campus employment for certain qualifying educational institutions, such as Canadian universities, community colleges, publicly funded technical schools or Canadian private institution authorized by provincial statute to confer degrees.

2. Off campus employment in certain provinces which have Federal Provincial agreements;

3. Students who are temporarily destitute due to no fault of their own

After Graduation

If you graduate from a qualifying educational institution, you can obtain a work permit for one year to allow you to work in your field, and in some cases, you can even get a two-year work permit. The choice of the educational institution is critical.

Post-graduation work permits are only available to graduates of a program at a Canadian university, a community college, a CEGEP, a publicly funded trade or technical school or a Canadian private institution authorized by provincial statute to confer degrees.

Work Permits for Spouses

Whereas a foreign student has a Study Permit, his or her spouse can apply for a Spousal Work Permit. The Spousal Work Permit is usually an “Open Work Permit”, which allows the spouse to work for any employer, or multiple employers, and can work full time, part time, or double time.

The Spousal Work Permit is usually issued for the same duration as the Study Permit. It is common for spouses or common law partners of students in Canada to work in order to support their families.