There are generally three areas of concern in relation to students:

• how to obtain and maintain study permit status
• off-campus work permits
• post-graduation work permits

The first step to getting a study permit is to have a letter of acceptance from a recognized school, university, or college.  With that letter you can go to the next step of applying for the Temporary Resident Visa -Student.  For precise details on the whole process, see Studying in Canada -Study Permits.

There is a procedure to renew your study permit and, if for some reason you fail to renew your study permit, you may be able to restore your status.  Details on both processes are explained on CIC’s site.

If you are a student and you wish to work off campus, you must obtain a work permit before starting to work.   Currently, such a work permit will authorize you to work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during any breaks in the school year.  For complete details on all student work permits, see Studying in Canada: Work Permits for students.

The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program has become a very attractive way for students to enter the work force after graduating.  This program is open to all students who have graduated from courses longer than eight months.  There is no need to have a job offer first.  If your ultimate goal is to attain permanent residency, and you plan to take advantage of the Canada Experience Class program, you must know the following:

• your course of study must have been two years or longer
• your work experience must be at least one year in level “0″, “A” or “B” on the NOC Matrix
• your language abilities must be at the appropriate Canadian Language Benchmark level