Canada is one of the top destinations for international students given the strong reputations of our universities and community colleges. Most international students come to Canada so that they may obtain a post-graduate work permit (PWPG) which leads to permanent residence (PR) which in turn leads to Canadian Citizenship resulting in a life of economic, political, and social bliss.
Unlike in many other countries, the most reputable educational institutions in Canada are “public institutions” which means they are mostly funded by government, closely regulated and operated on a not-for-profit basis.
International students may work for up to 40 hours while studying (and even more hours during school breaks) if they attend a “designated learning institution”. Viresh will advise you which schools and programs will lead to a PGWP.
With a PGWP these future Canadians will earn up to twenty times what they would earn in their country of birth, they and their families would benefit from free world class public health care, free education from grade 1 to 12, and highly subsidized university education at universities at the same level as Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, MIT, and Princeton.
All major political parties recognize and support annual immigration levels of up to 500,000 people per year as they recognize that due to falling birth rates and a rapidly aging population, critical labour force growth comes only from immigration.
Additionally, by studying in Canada and using the automatic route to permanent residence, once you establish yourself in Canada and even before you obtain Canadian Citizenship, you are able to sponsor your parents for permanent residence subject to certain annual quotas.
A Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) allows eligible students to obtain an open work permit which allows students after the completion of their studies to gain work experience in Canada. After a two- or three-year program of study one can obtain a three-year PGWP. The work permits, if properly used, lead to a permanent residence visa and eventually to a Canadian citizenship.
Viresh can help you to navigate the complex rules in order to ensure that at the end of the two years of work you qualify for Permanent Residence. You should avoid private colleges (which tend not to qualify for PGWPs) and one-year programs (which allow PGWPs of one year duration only).
It is important that your course be logically related to your previous studies and field of work (if applicable). The course should also not be readily available in your home country: pick something with a different angle so you can describe why it is important for you to study in Canada.
When you come as a student it may be possible for your spouse to accompany you on an open work permit and even your children if we can demonstrate how the children will be cared for while you are studying.
You must have good grades, a suitable language test score. Your parents or your relatives in Canada must demonstrate their ability to finance your education.
Though the Canadian government is well aware, and wants you to remain in Canada after completing your education, at the time of application for your student permit, Viresh will demonstrate your “temporary intent” for coming to Canada. This means demonstrating strong ties to your country of origin.
The Student Direct Stream (SDS) provides for accelerated processing of student visas (a stated 20 days) if the applicant is currently residing in one of several countries including Sri Lanka, India, and Pakistan.
A Fixed Deposit (FD), Term Deposit (TD) or a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of $10,000 is required which means the bank has attested to the availability of the funds and that it holds the funds in an account for the student that is only accessible once the student arrives here.
In addition to a letter of acceptance from a College or University, proof of payment of tuition fees for the first year of study is required. The first year’s fees can be paid in advance by a relation in Canada. A recent transcript, an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of at least 6 in all four categories, passing a medical exam by a physician (doctor) designated by the Canadian Government is required.
Always apply very early given that processing times vary and visa offices are inundated with a high volume of applications in the months just prior to start of school (terms or semesters typically start in September and January). The Student Direct Stream takes approximately 20 days but regular processing can be several months.
Study Permits typically last a few months beyond the expected graduation date though they will be limited to when your passport expires. Note that the ability to study in Canada is governed by the Study Permit itself, not the visa which takes up a page in your passport.
If you wish to continue studying, you must apply for a study permit extension prior to the expiry of your current study permit. If you wish to work after graduation, we can assist you with a post graduate work permit (PGWP) for a reasonable fee and we highly recommend you retain us. We are aware of hundreds of students over the years who made mistakes when applying for the PGWP, putting in jeopardy their path to PermanentRresidence after spending tens of thousands of dollars on their education in Canada.
