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International Students - Study and Work Permits

Study permits


Students intending to study in Canada for more than six months require a study permit. A study permit can be obtained through the nearest Canadian embassy, consulate or high commission in your country.  Visit the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs & International Trade to find Canadian government representatives in your region.
What you need to obtain a study permit:

  • A valid passport
  • Proof of ability to pay for tuition and living costs for you and any family members coming to Canada
  • Original acceptance letter from VCC
  • If you are applying for a study permit to study less than six months, you should include a letter that explains why you are applying. The letter will inform the Visa officer that you understand your options
  •  A personal interview with the Visa officer may be required
  • A processing fee of $125

How do I extend my study permit?
The VCC International admissions advisor can help current students apply for or renew their temporary resident permit (Visitor’s Visa) or student permit (study permit). Application and renewal packages are available at the VCC International office at the Downtown campus. Be sure to notify a staff member if you plan to travel outside of Canada or take time off from your studies while on a student permit.
For more information about Visa requirements contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

When you arrive at the airport in Canada
When you arrive at Canadian Immigration at the port of entry (i.e. Vancouver International Airport in Canada), you will be issued your study permit and may be asked for the following documents:

  • The letter of introduction from the Visa office that you received when your study permit was approved (this contains your permit reference number and the officer needs this letter to issue your study permit)
  • Your passport
  • Copy of your acceptance letter from Vancouver Community College
  • Proof that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Canada
  • Please be sure to retrieve your study permit before leaving the airport

 

Canadian work permits

Many international students choose to study at Vancouver Community College because they are afforded the opportunity to work both during and after their studies. The Canadian government has two types of work permit programs:

  1. Off-campus work permit

As an international student you will have the opportunity to gain invaluable Canadian work experience, practical job skills, and earn extra income. Find out how you could qualify for this opportunity after completing your first six months of full time study in a VCC certificate, diploma degree or post graduate program by visiting the Canadian Citizenship & Immigration website.
International students will be eligible to work part-time up to 20 hours per week during their studies and full-time during program vacations and breaks provided they meet the following conditions:

  • Have a valid study permit
  • Currently registered as a full-time student at VCC
  • Registered as a full-time student for at least six of the last 12 months
  • Maintain satisfactory academic standing in their program of study

Important: International students in ESL programs and Canadian government-sponsored students are not eligible for an off-campus work permit.
All applications should be sent directly to Citizenship & Immigration Canada online at http://services3.cic.gc.ca/wizapps/?id=selfassess&lang=en.
For more information about OCWP, please visit the Citizenship & Immigration Canada website at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-offcampus.asp.

  1. Post-graduate work permit

As an international student you may qualify to work in Canada for up to three years after you graduate from your VCC certificate, diploma or degree program. This will allow you to gain full-time work experience and an understanding of Canadian business practices in your area of expertise. Find out how you could qualify for this opportunity after graduating from an eight month or longer VCC certificate, diploma, degree or post-graduate program by visiting the Canadian Citizenship & Immigration website.
International students who graduate from a VCC education or career program will be eligible for a PGWP provided they meet the following conditions:

  • Have completed full-time studies in a program of eight months or more
  • Have graduated from a public post-secondary institution
  • Have completed the program of study and received a notification that they are eligible to obtain their degree, diploma or certificate
  • Must apply for a work permit within 90 days of graduation
  • Have a valid study permit when they apply for a work permit

Post-Graduate work permits are valid for the minimum length of a student’s program of study (eight months or more) and up to a maximum length of three years if graduating from a two year program.
For more information about the PGWP, pvisit the Citizenship & Immigration Canada website at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-postgrad.asp

Immigrating to Canada
If your goal is to stay in Canada on a permanent basis to live and work after you graduate, find out how your combined education and work experience can help you achieve this goal through the following immigration programs: