Students

Post Graduation Work Permit (revised April, 2008)

International students have the opportunity to gain valuable international work experience in Canada after they have completed their program. Niagara College students can work up to three years in Canada with an Open Post Graduation Work Permit.

Overview

After successful completion of a post-secondary or graduate program at Niagara College, international students are eligible to apply for an Open Post Graduation Work Permit from Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The permit is for a maximum of three years and cannot be extended. As of April, 2008, graduates of a one-year program are eligible for a one-year permit, while graduates of two or three-year programs are eligble for a three-year permit. Students intending to work in Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver are no longer restricted.

The new Open Post Graduation Work Permits no longer require that jobs be in the graduate’s field of study in Canada, nor do they require a job acceptance/offer letter. However, applicants are expected to demonstrate sufficient means of support while in Canada after graduation.

International students have 90 days to apply for their work permit after successfully completing their program. The 90 days begin from the day final marks become available on-line. The date of the convocation ceremony has no relation to the application period.

Note that there is a significiant potential disadvantage to the Open Post Graduate Work Permit. OHIP (the Ontario Health Insurance Plan) still requires the employer's name on the employee's Work Permit. As the Open Post Graduate Work Permit lists the employer as 'Open', holders of this kind of Work Permit are at this time ineligible for OHIP.

What do I need to apply?

  • completed application form
  • valid passport and study permit
  • final transcript and notice of graduation
    (available from International Department)
  • $150cdn cash or credit card (for Citizenship and Immigration Canada)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q - How long does it take to get a permit?
A. Processing time varies week to week depending on how many applications the case processing centre receives. You can check the Citizenship and Immigration Canada for weekly updates on their processing times.

Q - Do I need my diploma to apply?
A. No. You can use a notice of graduation that you can get from the International Department to apply for this work permit. 

Q - Do I need Human Resources Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) labour market analysis approval?
A. No. The post graduation work permit does not require HRSDC approval.

Q - When can I apply?
A - As soon as your final marks become available on-line. Programs ending in April will have the final marks on-line by mid May. That is when the 90 days to apply begin.

Q - What is the last day to apply?
A - Your application must be received at the Case Processing Centre in Vegreville, Alberta within 90 days of graduation. For programs that end in April, the application must be received by
90 days from confirmation of graduation (day your marks are available on line).

Q - How long will my work permit be for?
A - The length of the work permit is dependent on the length of your program to a maximum of 3 years. Therefore, if your program is 8 months long, you are eligible for an 8 month work permit.