(Updated on 5/12/2021)
Studying in Canada is one of the ways to permanently live in the country, especially for those who do not have the profile to immigrate directly through the most common Canadian processes. In addition to studying in the country that is considered the sixth safest in the world and the first in quality of life and being able to have access to quality education, international students can work part-time while studying a higher education course. After graduating, the student can try to obtain a full-time work permit and stay longer in the country. Around 60% of international students want to stay in Canada after completing their studies.
Additionally, if you come with your family, there are ways your spouse can also work and your children can attend public school for free.
But how does this all work?
Firstly, what we recommend for everyone starting their plans to study and live in Canada There is a lot of research and studies about the country. Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories that are completely different, independent and have their own rules. Each place has a different job market and also different culture and climate. Many people say “if you don’t research, you won’t get to Canada” and it’s true. Both for studies and for immigrating, planning and a lot of dedication are required.
Such as BFF CANADA is a company educational consultancy located in Canada, specializing in study plans for the entire country, so I will explain to you how the “Canada Plan” works through studies, that is, the steps until you graduate here.
Study and then become a temporary resident
There is something called “PGWP” (post-graduation work permit) and which is the dream of many Brazilians who think about living here. This is a type of permission that Canada can offer to those who graduate here, allowing the student to have a full-time work visa and stay longer in the country. To be eligible for this benefit, you must study at a public college or university, in long-term courses (at least one year or more). When you graduate and file your PGWP application with the Canadian government, you can get 1 to 3 more years in the country, depending on how long you studied and also on the sovereign decisions of the immigration officer.
Every student enrolled in a higher education institution in Canada has the right to work 20 hours a week (if they take a course lasting more than 6 months). Ordinary English courses do not give the student the possibility of working in Canada.
While you study in Canada, you will have a student visa (study permit) and the government will see you as such. You will only move to the “second phase” (PGWP) and the “third phase” (PR – permanent residence) after going through several processes.
“So can my spouse work?”
Your spouse you will be able to obtain a work permit full time (Open Work Permit) if the student applicant chooses an institution and a program (course) that will provide eligibility to apply for the PGWP. That's why many couples are excited to come together, as one studies and works part-time and the other works full-time. This way, if they have children over five years of age, they can also enroll them in free public schools, generally close to their homes.
It's definitely a enriching experience where everyone can leave bilingually and with an international experience, apart from the possibility of immigrating. If we compare it with the amount a family would spend to pursue a postgraduate degree in Brazil, for example, plus the cost of a good private school for the children, transportation, an English course for the children and spouse, plus the expenses that All of this would generate, perhaps these accounts will bring a lot of reflection and help in the decision to study in Canada.
“Okay, but how do I immigrate definitively after completing the course in Canada and having the long-awaited permanent residence (PR card)?”
The process is medium to long term and requires that everything be planned so that the student can best build their path in Canada. After obtaining the PGWP – let's assume that the student managed two more years in the country and will then be considered a temporary resident – the idea is to work in your field of activity to be able to apply for an existing immigration plan that best suits your profile and needs of the person (we are not immigration consultants, but we have partnerships with the best companies in the field). One of the most popular programs is Express Entry, a federal system that is based on scores and seeks immigrants with high professional qualifications that consider a good level of English, professional experience, age and education, among other criteria. Studying in Canada can help the student generate points for this type of program, for example, depending on the program chosen.
In addition to Express Entry, there are provincial programs and some of them are based on job offers, so students who want to stay struggle to get a good job (within their NOC – National Occupational Classification) in a company that allows entry into these immigration programs. I recommend careful reading on Canadian government official website, where the immigration processes are described, who is eligible and how to apply. If you think you have the profile to apply for immigration processes directly, without studying, you can do everything yourself or hire an immigration company to do it for you, like BFF Canada.
But how do you choose a course that gives you eligibility for the PGWP?
Courses at private colleges or short-term vocational courses do not give this eligibilityHowever, these courses are cheaper. Here In this text there is an explanation of the differences between private college and public college.
For you to be eligible for your PGWP, you basically need one of the two things below:
– Study and graduate from a public college on a course lasting at least eight months (course must have a full-time course load);
– Study and graduate from a university (whether public or private) on an undergraduate or postgraduate course. Read here a text about bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees In Canada.
“But Adri, I know people who studied at private colleges and got the PGWP and also the work permit for the spouse.”
These cases exist, but they are risky, as they rely a lot on luck too. These are people who took risks and calculated this risk by making a good financial plan, doing a co-op program, for example, which includes a period of paid internship in companies, entering the job market in a very professional and assertive way, like this family that I interviewed for my channel, that you you can check it here. There are many success stories, as well as cases that didn't work out. There is no magic formula, what always exists is planning. Mainly financial. It is important that everyone is aware of what can go wrong, as each and every study process with a view to immigration has its degree of risk.
Choosing a course/college is often the basis for an entire future career in Canada and this is very serious. Each case is different and there is no point in taking the example of your friend who studied “Y” at college “X” and thinking that this applies to you too.
I believe both – college public and private – have their advantages, but what needs to be taken into account are the risks and who is taking the risk. If you are reading this text, you are single, young, you still have a lot of time ahead in your life to try different things, you don't have a lot of money and you don't even have enough English for a public college (usually a 6.0 or 6.5 on IELTS), the college private can be a great option, if you design your strategy well. If you choose a co-op course, for example, which is a modality where there is a period of study and a period of paid internship in companies related to the course, it could be a great chance to take networking and show your work. In Canada, it is very important that people get to know you, everything here is based on trust and many companies end up hiring interns. Of course, a single person may also want the PGWP and have this guarantee. But if you don't have enough money or English for a public college (which is much more expensive), but really want to get to Canada soon, it could be a good option.
But if you want to live in French part of Canada – in the province of Quebec – there are options for some courses at private colleges in the city of Montreal, for example, that give eligibility for the PGWP. The immigration rules there are a little different and therefore there are other possibilities. And you can take the entire course in English if you want. French is the official language of Quebec and you will have to learn the language to live there, but there is a way to study in English in your college program. Contact us to know more.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
It is not cheap. Although it is cheaper than studying in the USA, for example, anyone who wants to immigrate in the future through studies needs to keep in mind that this is a big investment. In addition to the college fee (usually the first year or first term is paid, depending on the institution chosen), in the case of a program at a public college, for example, let's imagine a fee of one tuition of 18 thousand Canadian dollars per year, with two years of the program, so that's already 36 thousand Canadian dollars for college alone. But there are more expensive or cheaper colleges, depending on the choice of course/school. Furthermore, it is necessary to prove to the government that the student and his family (if applicable) are able to support themselves here without difficulties while studying, on the Canadian government you can check the values to prove. For a family with one child, for example, this value today reaches 17 thousand Canadian dollars. In addition, there are airline tickets, the cost of renting an apartment/house until you find the ideal one, then the value of some rent in advance when you get here, plus expenses for medical exams that the process requires, visa dispatch, consultancies, fees , Among other things.
It is estimated today that for a family with one child, for example, the amount invested is around at least 220 thousand reais (considering the value of today's dollar, in 12/2021). But this value is approximate and very generic, it can vary more or less, as each family has a lifestyle, each course chosen has a value, there are many variables. It is difficult to quote values because many Brazilians take them literally. Until a while ago, when it was said that you would need 100 thousand reais to study here, this value “fixed” in the minds of many people and became an obsolete basis, since the dollar increased a lot. Therefore, it is important to analyze each case and create a budget according to each course and each student’s reality.
In case of a single person, the value to be proven to the government will be lower, however, she will have all the expenses in the country to pay alone, such as rent, for example. Furthermore, as you can only work up to 20 hours a week as a student, your income in the country will be lower than that of a family.
As my partner and educational consultant says at BFF Canada, Daniely Ramos, “one thing is the value of the plan and another is the value of real life”. In her opinion (and mine too), in addition to all this, it is necessary to have savings so that no one goes into trouble if they don't find a job so quickly, for example, or go through some crisis or unforeseen event. She always reinforces the importance of bringing extra money for at least six months or even a year. Ideally, people should come well prepared, especially couples with young children. After all, it’s quite a responsibility to change countries.
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Graphic illustrating Canada's educational system. Source: cicic.ca
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TAKE YOUR FIRST STEP
So, how about studying and living in the country considered the first in quality of life in the world? We guide you in this first and important step, studying in Canada. And then we carry out your entire enrollment process, providing full support until you arrive here. We also have visa services so you can have complete assistance.
Don't have English? There are no problems, as many of our students took English courses in Canada before starting college and today they are doing very well.;) Due to the pandemic, there is now the option of studying English online, from Brazil.
We have several English course options for all levels and also academic English (Pathway) that prepares you for entry to college or university, without the need to take a test such as IELTS.
How can BFF Canada help you?
- EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANCY
- ADMISSION AND REGISTRATION IN THE COURSE
- OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES FOR YOUR ARRIVAL
Why is consultancy the first step?
Because if you want to immigrate in the future and have a professional career in Canada, you need to do good planning and this involves many things. The course is just one of them.
Choosing the course and enrolling is not everything, that's why we work with personalized educational consultancy, where we will cover important things for YOUR plan to stay in Canada after studies, such as:
- Ideal course type: diploma program or MBA? Which is best for your case?
- Is the course you will take recognized by companies in the province where you will live?
- Language: is your level of English sufficient for the course? Will I have to do a pathway? IELTS test?
- Family: will you come alone or with family? What does all this involve and what are the best paths for everyone? Who will study and who will work?
- Budget: How much do you need? College or university fees, general expenses, what the government requires, etc.
- Future in the professional market: BFF Canada helps you choose the program that best suits your professional goals in Canada.
- Immigration: 98% of our clients want to immigrate in the future, so choosing a course can greatly contribute to their dream of staying. Issues such as course time and PGWP eligibility are very important.
Book your educational consultation with us now through from this link and take your first step towards your dream of studying and living in Canada. 🙂
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Live in Canada. Change your life.
Hugs,
BFF Canada
