To work in Canada upon graduation from studies, foreign national students may apply for a work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program. This Program allows students who have graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution to gain valuable Canadian work experience. In April, 2008, the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration announced significant changes to the post-graduation work permit category. It is now possible for foreign students who have completed a course of Study in Canada to obtain work permits valid for up to three years. These work permits are "open", meaning they can be used to obtain employment with any Canadian company in any position. No job offer is needed to obtain the work permits. As long as the student meets the criteria described below they may obtain the work permit first then find an employer afterwards.

The new requirements for obtaining a work permit after graduation are as follows:

1. You must have studied full-time for the eight months preceding the completion of your program of studies.

2. You must have graduated from:

3. a public post-secondary institution, such as a college, university, or CEGEP, or

4. a private post-secondary institution that operates under the same rules as public institutions, and receives at least 50 per cent of its financing from government grants, or

5. Canadian private institution authorized by provincial statute to confer degrees but only if you are enrolled in one of the programs of study leading to a degree.

6. You must apply for a work permit within 90 days of receiving written confirmation, such as a transcript or an official letter, from your institution indicating that you have met the requirements for completing your program.

7. You must have passed the program of study and received notice to obtain the degree, diploma or certificate.

8. You must have a valid study permit when you apply for the Work permit.

Duration of Work Permit:

A Post-Graduation Work Permit cannot be longer than the length of time of study.

If you studied for less than 8 months, than you are not eligible for this program.

If you studied for more than two years, a work permit may be issued for three years (which is the maximum time for a student to work in Canada).

If you studied for less than two years but more than eight months, then may get a work permit for a period no longer than the length of time you studied.

You are ineligible for the Post Graduate Work Permit Program if you:

Study in a program that is less than eight months long.

Participate in a Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program funded by Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT).

Participate in a Government of Canada Awards Program funded by DFAIT.

Receive funding from the Canadian International Development Agency.

Participate in the Equal Opportunity Scholarship, Canada-Chile.

Participate in a distance learning program, or

Have previously been issued a Post-Graduate Work Permit following another program of study.

The new ability of qualified foreign students to obtain open work permits will enable them to quickly and easily find employment in Canada so that they may acquire work skills that will qualify them to later apply for Canadian Permanent residence, for example under the Skilled worker category.