Life Abroad | How Employable are Hong Kong Students In Canada?

Heading to Canada for most students is about getting a quality education and attaining a degree to pursue your dreams. However, a good majority of graduates also head to The Great White North to find work and establish a career post-graduation!

The country has been regularly ranked as one of the best destinations for international workers and is one of the top 10 most peaceful countries in the world, making it a stable location to pursue a career in.

Canada’s cities including Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto are international business hubs where critical industries from finance to forestry all merge together, giving international students access to countless employment opportunities.

Students from Hong Kong should be pleased to know that since 2008, the number of work permits granted to tertiary students increased almost 3 times from 45,900 to 173,000 yearly, making it highly likely that you can find productive employment post-graduation.

In this article, we will take you through what you must do and the different routes you can take to work in Canada full-time once you graduate from a Canadian university or college.

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All You Need To Know About Working In Canada After Graduation

1. Obtaining Your Post Graduation Work Permit To Gain Experience

The first step towards working in Canada is to apply for your post-graduation work permit (PGWP). This is best done while you are still inside Canada and you have up to 180 days after you graduate to apply for it.

Here are some of the key criteria you must meet to be deemed eligible:

• Completed a study program at a designated learning institution

• Your program took 8 months or more to complete

• It led to a degree, diploma, or certificate

Upon getting your PGWP, you are entitled to stay up to 3 years in Canada. This will allow you to take the time to start pursuing a job and establishing your career.

2. Apply For Express Entry For Permanent Residency

Once you have been working in Canada, you can then apply for permanent residency in the country through the Express Entry route.

This will allow you to officially stay and work indefinitely in Canada for as long as you like. It also gives you access to a whole range of benefits that includes free healthcare.

There are two programs that you should be aware of, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) & the Federal Skilled Worker Program.

The CEC is meant for skilled workers who have Canadian work experience - this is why applying for your PGWP is essential to help you chalk up those essential years of experience in the country.

You will need at least 1 year of paid skilled work experience in Canada, equivalent to 1,560 hours. And this will have to be clocked while under an authorization, eg. through the PGWP authorization.

The second category is as a Federal Skilled Worker. This is if you have foreign work experience but still want to live and work in Canada indefinitely.

The criteria here is more stringent. You will have to meet all the minimum requirements before your application is even assessed.

These includes:

• 1 year of continuous work experience

• Certified English and/or French language skills are required

• Proof of funds that you have enough money to settle in Canada

3. Understand The Exemption For Hong Kong Graduates

Alternatively, if you are a Hong Kong resident, you can take advantage of a temporary public policy that allows you to work and live in Canada. There are two streams, in-Canada graduates and those with Canadian work experience.

For students in Stream A: In-Canada Graduates, you will need to be physically present in Canada when you apply for PR as well as have graduated from a designated Canadian learning institution, with a degree, diploma, or certificate.

In addition, you will also need to take a language test, such as the IELTS, to prove your English proficiency as well as a letter of intent or statutory declaration of where you plan to live and why.

Take The First Step Towards Studying In Canada Today!

Thinking of furthering your studies and pursuing a rewarding career in Canada?

We can help assist you with selecting the best colleges and cities to live and study in.

At IDP, we have an experienced and friendly team of education counsellors that can answer your questions and take you through the different universities and course application process.

Get started with a free counselling session today.
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