Working after graduating

After you graduate from your program of studies, you may be able to work temporarily or even live permanently in Canada.

Job Market in NL

11.5%
unemployment rate March 2019

Oil and mining related careers, that account for about 3% of all employment in NL have brought it the greatest chunk of GDP, and have on average the highest salaries. Other significant employers in the province are Health Care and Social Assistance (16.9%), Retail accounts for about 15.7% of all employment and Construction is the third highest with 9.4%.

Some of the greatest growth has been seen in the tech sector over the past few years, fuelled by an increase in private equity investment growth in NL. This has caused a great surge of support of entrepreneurship, and it is now a great time to start a business in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Where and how to find jobs?

Good tools for finding jobs are Indeed, and Career Beacon as well as Kijiji (usually for more entry level positions). However, lot of the jobs aren't posted, so a good networking, and relationship building plan is always a good idea. It is also important to know how to network and learn how to start a business, our program, Atlantic Canada Study and Stay™ NL, can help you with this during our program.

Learn More about Study and Stay

up to 3 years
is the length of a Post-Graduate Permit

Students who have completed a degree or an eligible diploma can obtain a Post Graduation Work Permit. The Post Graduation Work Permit is an open work permit that requires no job offer, that is of up to 3 years (depending on the official length of program completed) and makes you eligible for Provincial Healthcare.

Requirements and more info

If your program was less than 8 months you aren’t eligible for a PGWP.

If your program was more than 8 months but less than 2 years CIC may give you a PGWP that’s valid for up to the same length as your study program.

If your program was 2 years or more, CIC may give you a PGWP that’s valid for 3 years.

You have 180 days after your school issues your final marks to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).To be eligible, your study permit must have been valid at some point during these 180 days.

Immigration in General

Newfoundland and Labrador is actively trying to incentivize international students to study and stay in Newfoundland and Labrador. With such comes a number of programs to help you immigrate to NL.

International Graduate Stream for Immigration

The most standard way how international students get Permanent Residency in Canada is by going through the International Graduate Stream. Below is a list of things to keep in mind if you want to immigrate to Canada through this program.

Have completed at least half of your studies in Canada and have graduated from an eligible publicly funded Canadian university or college
Have completed a minimum of a two year diploma or degree program on a full-time basis
Have a full-time job offer in your field of study
Apply to the nomination program within two years of receiving your degree or diploma
Be able to legally work in Canada
Have the intention and ability to settle permanently in Newfoundland and Labrador
Have the language requirements
Demonstrate sufficient financial ability to establish oneself and any dependents in Newfoundland and Labrador