tugrularas/irccfaq huggingface dataset:
Question: As an international student, can I work in Canada without a work permit?
Answer: Changes to off-campus work hours
You may be eligible to work more than 20 hours per week off campus under a temporary public policy. Find out if you meet the requirements.

Yes.
If you have a study permit and are enrolled full-time in an eligible institution:

you may work on-campus without a work permit.

If you have a study permit and are enrolled full-time in an academic, professional or vocational training program at a designated learning institution:

you may work off campus without a work permit.

If you receive your study permit after June 1:

your study permit will indicate if you are able to work off campus. If so, you are allowed to work for up to 20 hours per week while:
your program is in session, and
full-time during scheduled breaks in the academic calendar.

You may work for any employer in Canada who is not on the ineligible employer list. 
You must have the appropriate work permit in order to take part in a co-op or internship program. You also must apply for a post-graduation work permit in order to work in Canada after your studies. For more details, see Work Permits for Students.
Question: As an international student, can I take part in co-op and internship programs?
Answer: If you are in an academic, professional or vocational training  program at a designated learning institution that requires work experience, such as a co-op or internship placement, you will need a work permit as well as a study permit.
To get a work permit, you must prove that the work experience is essential to completing your program. Acceptable proof could include a letter from the school you are attending or a copy of the school curriculum.
The work experience cannot be more than 50% of your total program of study.
If you are studying English or French as a second language (ESL/FSL), or participating in general interest or preparatory courses, you are not eligible for a co-op work permit.
For more information, see Work permits for students - Co-op and internship programs.
Question: Can I continue to work during scheduled school breaks?
Answer: Generally, yes. Your study permit must still be valid and you must still meet all the requirements.
If you work off campus
You can work full-time during scheduled breaks, like over summer holidays and during spring break. You must meet all the requirements for working off campus before you start working. Once your school year restarts, you can only work a maximum of 20 hours per week.
If you work on-campus
You can work full-time during scheduled breaks, like over summer holidays and during spring break. You must meet all the requirements for working on-campus before you start working.
Question: Can I work in any type of job if I am eligible to work off campus?
Answer: Yes. You may work for any  employer in Canada who is not on the ineligible employer list, as long as you continue to comply with the requirements of the off-campus work authorization. You  must also get an immigration medical exam if you plan to work in certain occupations.
Question: Can I work as many hours as I want if I’m eligible to work off campus?
Answer: No. If you’re eligible to work off campus, you can work up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session. During scheduled breaks, like the summer or winter holidays and spring break, you’re allowed to work more than 20 hours.
You can start working in Canada only once you’ve started your study program. You can’t work before your studies begin. Find out more about who can work off campus, including part-time students and students on authorized leave.
If you’ve completed your study program, you may be able to work full-time.
Question: What is a post-graduation work permit?
Answer: The post-graduation work permit allows students who have graduated from a participating  Canadian post-secondary institution to gain valuable Canadian work experience. 
Note:  Work obtained through the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program may help support your application to become a permanent resident of Canada.
Question: How do I apply for a post-graduation work permit?
Answer: How you can apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) depends on where you’re applying from. Most people must apply online for their PGWP. Find out how you can apply for your PGWP.

New rules about where to apply for a PGWP 
As of June 21,2024, you can no longer apply for a PGWP at a port of entry (airport, land or marine border) when entering Canada.

Make sure you’re eligible for a PGWP before you apply. You have 180 days after your school issues your final marks to apply for a PGWP.
When you apply, make sure you pay the Open work permit holder fee and the standard work permit fee.
If your study permit has expired
You must

submit your PGWP application within 90 days of losing your status and pay both fees (open work permit fee and standard work permit fee)
    
Restoring your status as a student has a fee of $350. Due to system limitations, applicants must pay the fees to restore their status as a student online and attach a copy of the receipt to their PGWP online application. You do not need to make a separate application to restore your status as a student.


keep meeting the requirements for your stay
meet all the remaining conditions listed on your permit


If you need to extend or change the conditions on your PGWP
You must apply on paper if you’re extending or changing the conditions on your PGWP. You can only extend your PGWP if your passport expired earlier than your PGWP validity should have been.
This would be indicated in a remark on your initial PGWP.
You may need to change the conditions on your PGWP if you need to provide an additional document, like a medical exam, after you already applied.
Question: How long is a post-graduation work permit valid?
Answer: A post-graduation work permit (PGWP) may be valid anywhere between 8 months and up to 3 years. Unless you’ve graduated from a master’s degree program, the length of your permit will depend on the length of the study program you completed in Canada. Find out more about how long a PGWP can be valid.
Question: How much does a post-graduation work permit cost?
Answer: The fee for a post-graduation work permit is CDN$155; however, you must also pay the CDN$100.00 “Open Work Permit Holder” fee. Find out more about the required fees.
Question: Can I apply for a job before I get my post-graduation work permit?
Answer: Yes, but only if you:

were a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI) in a post-secondary academic, vocational or professional training program,
already completed your program of study, and
didn't exceed the number of hours you could work on and off-campus.

If we refuse your post-graduation work permit, you must stop working immediately.
Question: Can I work anywhere, in any type of job, under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program?
Answer: The post-graduation work permit is an open work permit. This means that you can work in any occupation anywhere in Canada, and change employers any time you wish.
Note: You may not work for an employer on the ineligible employers list.
Question: How do I qualify for a post-graduation work permit?
Answer: To qualify for a post-graduation work permit, you must have graduated from a public institution or a recognized degree program at a private institution. These institutions may include a university, college or a Collège d'enseignement général et professionnel (an educational institution in Quebec that offers pre-university classes and technical career programs).
Question: I am an international student in Canada. How can I apply to become a permanent resident?
Answer: There  are several permanent resident categories that you may fit into, including the Canadian  Experience Class, the  Federal Skilled Worker Program, and  the Provincial Nominee Program.
Some of those categories require eligible Canadian work experience. If you want to work in Canada after you graduate from your studies, you must apply for a work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program.

Note: Completing an Express Entry profile is the first step to  immigrate to Canada permanently as a skilled worker. Completing an Express  Entry profile does not guarantee that you will receive an Invitation to Apply  for permanent residence. An Invitation to Apply for permanent residence will be  based on your score and rank in the Express Entry pool using the Comprehensive Ranking System.
Question: What does it mean to have legal status in Canada?
Answer: Having legal status means you are  authorized to enter and remain in Canada as a temporary or permanent resident  under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, as a Canadian citizen under  the Citizenship Act or as a Registered Indian under the Indian Act. Temporary  resident status is valid for a specific period of time and you must ensure that  your status as a temporary resident remains valid while you are in Canada.
Question: How do I know how long I can stay in Canada as an international student?
Answer: Your immigration document (a study permit or a stamp in your passport) will state how long you can stay in Canada. If you need or want to stay longer in Canada, please go to Visa and Immigration Applications to apply for an extension.
Question: How long can I stay in Canada while waiting for permanent residence?
Answer: You can stay in Canada while  waiting for your permanent residence as long as you maintain legal status. Temporary resident status is valid for a specific period of time and you must  ensure that your status as a temporary resident remains valid while you are in  Canada. Find out more about extending your stay. 
See also What does it mean to have legal status in  Canada?
Question: How can I extend my stay in Canada or change my immigration status?
Answer: To change your immigration status—from full-time student to full-time worker, for example—or to extend your stay in Canada, you must submit an application.
Question: I recently graduated as an international student in Canada. Can I apply for permanent residence?
Answer: As a recent graduate, you may qualify for the Canadian Experience Class Program. You must meet all of the following requirements.

You plan to live outside the province of Quebec. 
You have at least 12 months of full-time (or an equal amount in part-time) in an occupation at NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 in Canada in the three years before you apply,
You have gained your experience while working legally in Canada after you graduated,
You meet the required language levels needed for your job for each language ability (speaking, reading, writing, and listening).

You must  have gained your work experience after you have graduated. You cannot include work you did  while  you were a student. You do not have to be working when you apply.
You may also qualify for other permanent residence programs. If you  would like to assess your qualifications to determine which immigration  programs you may qualify under, please use the Come to Canada tool.

Note: Completing an Express Entry profile is the first step to  immigrate to Canada permanently as a skilled worker. Completing an Express  Entry profile does not guarantee that you will receive an Invitation to Apply  for permanent residence. An Invitation to Apply for permanent residence will be  based on your score and rank in the Express Entry pool using the Comprehensive Ranking System.
Question: Do I need an eTA or visa to study in Canada?
Answer: Depending on your citizenship, you may need an eTA or a visitor visa, as well as a study permit. Your eTA or visa will be issued to you at the same time as your study permit. You do not need to apply separately or to pay an additional fee.
 Most students now need to give biometrics when they apply for a study permit. Answer a few questions to find out if you need to give fingerprints and photo (biometrics).
Question: Should I apply for a study permit when I get an eTA or a visa?
Answer: No. Depending on your citizenship, you may need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or a visitor visa, as well as a study permit. Your eTA or visa will be issued to you at the same time as your study permit. You do not need to apply separately or to pay an additional fee.
 You may also need to give biometrics. Citizens from 29 countries and 1 territory need to give biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) when they apply for a visa.
Question: Can I pay for an eTA or a visa using my country’s currency/money?
Answer: Yes, you can do so in many countries. For details, see the List of Countries and Corresponding Canadian Visa Offices for the country where you will apply.
Question: I have a temporary resident visa. Can I leave Canada and come back?
Answer: Single-entry temporary resident visa

If you have a single-entry temporary resident visa, you will generally need a new single-entry visa to come back to Canada.
You can request to return to Canada on your original single-entry temporary resident visa, if: 
		
you will only visit the U.S. or St. Pierre and Miquelon; and
you will return to Canada before the end of your approved stay in Canada.



Multiple-entry temporary resident visa

Yes, you can come back to Canada, if you have a multiple-entry temporary resident visa and it has not expired.

Expired temporary resident visa

You can request to return to Canada on your original temporary resident visa, even if it is expired, if: 
		
you will only visit the U.S. or St. Pierre and Miquelon; and 
you will return to Canada before the end of your approved stay in Canada. 



An officer will confirm whether you meet all the requirements before allowing you to come back to Canada. If you visit any country other than those listed above, you will need a new temporary resident visa.
Question: Why did Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduce service standards?
Answer: We are always trying to: 

improve service standards,
make all of its services more accessible and faster and
maintain program integrity.

Service standards outline, in a consistent way, the expected timeframes for service. They enhance IRCC’s operations and help us deliver high-quality results for Canadians.
Question: Why did Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduce standards for these specific services and activities?
Answer: After reviewing its operations, IRCC chose those services and activities that are measurable, cost effective and stable.
A stable service or activity is one that: 

has had a similar volume over several years,
has not undergone any big changes in procedures and
is facing no planned changes in the near future that would affect current processing times.
Question: What are processing times?
Answer: Processing times tell you how long you can expect it will take us to process an application under normal circumstances.
A processing time starts the day we receive an application and ends when we make a decision. If you apply by mail, the time starts when your application arrives in our mailroom. If you apply online or in-person, it starts when you submit your application.
Various factors can affect the processing time including:

the type of application submitted
if the application is complete
how quickly we process applications we’ve already received
how easily we can verify your information
how long you take to respond to any request or concerns
other factors

We have an explanation below each processing time for how it’s calculated.
See, “how are processing times calculated?”
Question: What is the difference between processing times and service standards?
Answer: We have 2 kinds of processing times:

historical processing times
forward-looking processing times

Historical processing times tell you how long it took to process 80% of applications in the past. We update these weekly.
Forward-looking processing times tell you how long we expect it will take us to process an application if we receive it today. We update these monthly.
Service standards are our commitment to process your application in a certain amount of time under normal circumstances. They aren’t updated regularly. Not all programs have service standards.
We report annually on how our actual processing times compare to our service standards.
Question: Does Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) report whether it meets its service standards?
Answer: Yes, we report on its performance targets and results for 18 lines of business.
Question: What happens if Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) doesn’t meet its specified standards?
Answer: We monitor its progress on meeting the service standards throughout the year. At the end of each year, it reports on its progress in the Departmental Performance Report. If we have not met a standard, it explains why. Then the department changes the way it does things and reviews the service standards, as necessary.
Question: Do the service standards apply to applications received before the standards came into effect?
Answer: Yes, service standards apply to all existing and new applications.
Question: How does Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) use the feedback from the e-consultation tool?
Answer: We use the comments to ensure that you: 

understand the posted content and 
find it helpful.

We will publish the results regularly on its website.
Question: Why has Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) switched from business days to calendar days to communicate its service standards?
Answer: We have switched from business days to calendar days so that  service standards are clear and easy to understand. Calendar days are more meaningful. Now, you do not need to account for public holidays or weekends when looking at service standards. Also, using calendar days makes it easier for us to plan and track its processes fairly and transparently.
Question: I am a new permanent resident of Canada. Do I need to apply for a permanent resident card?
Answer: No, we will mail your permanent resident (PR) card to you when you arrive in Canada. 
If you did not provide your Canadian mailing address when you became a permanent resident, use our online address notification tool to send it to us. You must provide your address within 180 days of the day you become a permanent resident. If you do not send it within 180 days, we will cancel the PR card and you will have to apply for another one and pay the processing fees.
Check current processing times to see how long you will have to wait to get your new card. Please tell us if you did not get your PR card within the processing times.
Question: Who can apply for a permanent resident card?
Answer: To apply for a permanent resident  card, you must: 

already be a permanent resident of Canada
be physically present in Canada
not have been asked by the Government of Canada to leave the country and
not be a Canadian citizen

Find how to apply for, renew or replace a permanent resident card.
Question: When should I apply for a permanent resident card?
Answer: Canada’s entry requirements are changing
Permanent residents (PR) of Canada must carry and present their valid PR card or permanent resident travel document (PRTD) when boarding a flight to Canada, or travelling to Canada on any other commercial carrier. If you do not carry your PR card or PRTD, you may not be able to board your flight, train, bus or boat to Canada.
It is your responsibility to ensure that your PR card is still valid when you return from travel outside Canada, and to apply for a new PR card when your current card expires.
If you are a new immigrant to Canada, you do not need to apply for a permanent resident (PR) card. We will mail your card to you when you get to Canada.
You should apply for a PR card if:

you plan to travel outside the country and will return to Canada on a commercial vehicle like an airplane, a bus, a train, or a boat;
you did not get your PR card after you gave us your Canadian mailing address, and it has been more than 180 days since you provided your address;
you need evidence of your PR status; 
your card was lost, stolen or destroyed and you want a new one;
your PR card expires in less than nine months; or
you have legally changed your name and need to update the name on your PR card.

Consult the processing times to see how long it will take to get a PR card.
Question: How long will it take to process my PR card?
Answer: You can check current processing times for permanent resident cards (PR cards).
If you need your card sooner, you can apply for urgent processing. If you aren’t eligible, we will process your application normally.
See also processing times questions.
Question: How much does a permanent resident card cost?
Answer: It costs $50 per person to apply for a permanent resident (PR) card. You will need to pay the fee each time you renew or replace your PR card.
Question: How do I pay the fee for my permanent resident card?
Answer: You must pay for your permanent resident card online. We do not accept other methods of payment. After you pay, print a receipt and include it with your paper application.
Pay your fees online
Question: Will I get my permanent resident card by mail?
Answer: I am a new permanent resident living inside Canada 
Yes. If you are a new permanent resident, you will get your permanent resident (PR) card by mail.


I am already a permanent resident living inside Canada
Probably. Most permanent residents in Canada replacing or renewing their PR card will receive it by mail. However, we may ask you to pick it up at a local IRCC office. If you need to pick up your card, we will contact you to schedule an appointment. If you cannot go to your appointment, you can reschedule it with the local office. If you do not pick up your card within 180 days, we will destroy it and you will have to re-apply. 


I am a permanent resident living outside of Canada
No. We do not mail PR cards outside of Canada. If you need to return to Canada and your PR card has expired or been lost or stolen, you will need to apply for a permanent resident travel document. It is only valid for one re-entry. You can apply for your PR card when you return to Canada.
Question: Should I submit photos with my PR card application?
Answer: Yes. Your application must include photos that meet our photo specifications. If your photos are in the wrong format, we will return your application.
Question: Can I get my permanent resident card processed urgently?
Answer: Yes, you will have to prove that you need urgent processing when you submit your application. Find out if you are eligible for urgent processing before you submit your request. If you don’t qualify, we will process your application normally.
If you already submitted your application, you can request that we process it urgently depending on its status.
If you are outside Canada and want to come back, learn how to re-enter Canada without a PR card.