International Students and Graduates
Students who have completed their program of study
Students who have completed their program of study are allowed to work (under paragraph 186(w) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations [IRPR]) while they are waiting for a decision on their post-graduation work permit application, provided they meet all of the following criteria:
- they are or were holders of a valid study permit at the time of the post-graduation work permit application
- they were a full-time student enrolled at a DLI in a post-secondary academic, vocational or professional training program
- they were authorized to work off-campus without a work permit
- they did not exceed the allowable hours of work
Work Permits for Accompanying Spouses
You may be eligible for an open work permit if you’re:
- a spouse of a skilled worker in an occupation under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type 0, A or B approved to work in Canada six months or longer
- a spouse of someone applying for the Atlantic Immigration Program in a job under NOC 0, A, B or C
- a spouse of a foreign student at a public post-secondary school, such as a college or university or collège d’enseignement général et professionnel (CEGEP) in Quebec
- a family member of a foreign representative, or
- a family member of a foreign military member who is working in Canada
If your spouse has an open work permit (e.g., post-graduation work permit), you must attach a copy of your spouse’s work permit to your application for an open work permit, along with:
- a letter from your spouse’s current employer that confirms they work there in a NOC 0, A or B occupation, or a copy of your spouse’s employment offer or contract, and
- a copy of your spouse’s recent pay slips
Your permit will not be valid longer than your spouse’s work permit.
You also need to meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit.
Source:
- Immigration Canada – Post Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP)
- Immigration Canada – Types of Work Permits – Spouses
- Immigration Canada – Work off campus as an international student
Last Modified: May 18, 2022