Work experience is always a valuable asset when it comes to immigration. Fortunately, the Canadian immigration system offers many different pathways for prospective immigrants. If you’re worried about your immigration chances without work experience, there are still pathways available to you. Here are some of the most common ways to immigrate to Canada when starting with no work experience.
Pathways to Immigrate Without Work Experience
In most cases, there won’t be a one-step pathway for you to immigrate to Canada without work experience. You may need to go through a few stages in your immigration journey to reach that point, involving some temporary residence permits before transitioning into a permanent residence.
Post-Graduate Work Permit
If you’re an international student just starting with your work experience after graduating, you should consider applying for a post-graduate work permit (PGWP). This is an excellent opportunity for you to gain some valuable Canadian work experience and work toward permanent residence in Canada.
To qualify for a PGWP, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have completed a full-time study program at a DLI that lasted at least eight months
- Apply within 180 days of your graduation
- Have valid temporary resident status when you submit your application
If your student permit is valid while you apply, you can start or continue working while your application is still processing.
Your PGWP is a great work permit to start your experience with. It can be valid from 8 months to 3 years, depending on how long your program of study was. It is also an open work permit, meaning you can work for any employer, wherever in Canada you want.
Getting work experience with a PGWP is a pathway that can lead to permanent immigration through Express Entry. Your experience will likely help you qualify for the Canadian Experience Class immigration program, among others.
