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Staying in Canada after your studies

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If you would like to stay in Canada either temporarily or permanently to work after your studies, you will find out in the following sections how to proceed. They apply only to international students who have graduated from an Université Laval study program and their partners. They don’t apply to exchange students.

Typically, international students who have graduated from a study program want to get a post-graduation work permit immediately after their studies so they can work in Canada. By doing that, they can maintain their temporary status. At the same time, they can take steps to obtain permanent residence. However, the process of getting a post-graduation work permit and applying for permanent residence are two very different steps that you may or may not be able to do at the same time. Here is a chart that summarizes the immigration procedures to undertake once your studies are complete. 

If you would like to stay in Canada, the post-graduation work permit allows you to maintain a valid temporary status. Note that holding a valid temporary resident visa, applying for and obtaining a CSQ, and applying for permanent residence do not confer legal status in Canada. 

The Immigration section of this website is intended to provide general information on current procedures, which may change at any time without notice. The laws and regulations in force in Québec and Canada, as well as the websites of Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration [Québec’s ministry of immigration, francisation, and integration] (MIFI) and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), take precedence over this page.

Last updated on: 2024-03-26