Staying in Canada after your studies

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. If you are an exchange student and you want to work or complete an internship after your exchange, visit the Working or doing an internship in Canada after your student exchange program page.

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. 

• Applying for post-graduation work permit
• Settling permanently in Québec
• Settling permanently in Canada (in a province other than Québec)