Pursuing your higher education in a foreign land is as exciting as landing your dream job. But are you wondering how it's going to benefit you once you graduate? We'll tell you how.
Among many other benefits, acquiring a post-study work visa will be beneficial to you once you graduate from your favourite university after investing immense time, effort, and energy.
Some English-speaking countries such as the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the USA have been the top choices for Filipino students pursuing higher education. And guess what? These countries are exceptionally supportive when it comes to offering post-study work visas to international students.
In this blog, we explore the post-study work visa requirements in some of the finest study destinations. If you would like to stay back in those countries once you complete your studies, this blog will be helpful. Read on to learn more about what you need to know before heading to your favourite destinations for your higher studies!
Let’s dive right in…
Canada post-study work visa requirements
Canada offers work visas to international students who have completed a degree, diploma, or certificate program at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) that is at least 8 months long, provided they meet a few other requirements. Students are expected to apply for a Post-graduation work permit (PGWP) within 180 days after they receive their degree.
As an international student in Canada, you are eligible for a PGWP. If your study program is 8 months long, but less than 2 years, the PGWP you receive will have validity as to the length of your course duration. Similarly, if you have completed a program that is 2 years long or longer, a PGWP valid for 3 years will be provided. Students who have completed a program less than 8 months long are ineligible to receive a work permit.
It is crucial to ensure that your study permit is valid throughout the entire process and if it expires before that, apply for a visitor record or submit an application to extend your study permit before it expires. A typical PGWP processing time is 88 days and the fee for the same is $255 CAN.
The UK post-study work visa requirements
The United Kingdom allows international students who have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in the UK to get a Graduate route visa that is valid for 2 years, and in a case, a student has completed a Ph.D., it's valid for 3 years. As the validity of the visa is non-extendable, being an international student you are allowed to apply for a different visa such as a Skilled Worker visa once your Graduate route visa expires.
To apply for a Graduate route visa one must hold a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa and the applicant must be in the UK when applying for the visa. When you apply for a Graduate route visa, you'll need to pay the application fee that is usually £700 in addition to the healthcare surcharge of £624 for each year you will be staying in the UK.
Furthermore, you are expected to provide the below-listed documents when applying for a Graduate route visa.
- A Passport
- Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
- Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number
Post-study work visa requirements in the USA
As an international student, you get to stay in the US for one year after completing your course on an F1 visa. F-1 student visa holders during the study program at either undergraduate or graduate level are eligible for CPT (Curricular practical training), which has to be completed before graduating. Working in the USA after graduation is also possible through Optional practical training that temporarily allows you to work up to 12 months, given that the job is directly related to your primary area of study. Also, STEM OPT extension is a 24-month training programme offered to STEM graduates.
Students who get OPT are expected to find a job within 90 days after graduation. It is essential to request post-completion OPT or submit form I-765 ninety days before your program end date. Before that, the Designated School Official (DSO) you are enrolled in must enter a request to opt into the Student And Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
Post-study work visa requirements in Australia
Australia allows international students to stay in the country for 2 to 4 years after graduation to travel, work or study. The length of stay with this temporary visa depends on the level of study qualification you acquire. Extending the validity of this visa and staying longer in the country is not possible with this visa. As an international student, you can stay in Australia for 2 years if you hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree. If you have a research qualification, you can stay in the country for 3 years, and for up to 4 years after holding a doctoral degree. You are expected to find your own employment during your stay.
Post-study work visa requirements in New Zealand
To work in New Zealand, the course duration and your institution's location are considered primary eligibility. Some of the course-wise eligibility criteria are:
- Students with Level 7 Bachelor's degrees and higher education can apply for a 3-year post-study work visa.
- Students with Level 7 diploma degrees can apply for a visa for valid up to 1 year after graduation.
- Students with Level 4 to 6 qualifications will be provided with a visa that allows them to stay and work in the country for 1 year.
If you have completed your study outside Auckland before the end of 2021, your work visa will be valid for 2 or 3 years.
