Thousands of international students come to Canada in order to obtain not only a quality education, but also experience in the international labor market. One of the best ways to combine study and work is the Work and Study program in Canada, in which students receive professional education, improve their English or French language skills, and learn how to apply knowledge in practice.
Is it possible to study and work in Canada at the same time
For foreign students in colleges in Canada, a special Work and Study program ("Work and Study" or CO-OP) has been developed, which gives the right to work in the country while studying. You can find a job and receive a salary from the first day of training. The program consists of theoretical and practical parts.
During the period of attending classes, you can work 20 hours a week. During the internship, it is allowed to work full-time (40 hours per week).
Characteristic features of the Work and Study program:
- duration of training - from 1 year;
- at the end of the program, you can continue your studies, get a work visa and stay to work, apply for permanent resident status;
- Tuition can be paid in installments, but in order to obtain a visa, it is advisable to pay for the course in full.
Colleges offer training in different areas:
- business management - Business Management;
- hotel management - Hospitality Management;
- international trade - International Trade;
- information technology - Information Technology;
- media marketing - Social Media Marketing.
Assistance in employment is provided by the program coordinator. You can find a job on the Job Bank website.
In colleges, job fairs are constantly held, which provide an opportunity to meet representatives of different companies. Just like the Work and Travel USA program, students are offered vacancies mainly in the service sector.
Work in Canada for students is available in the following places:
- restaurants, fast foods, cafes - a waiter, cashier, pastry chef, assistant cook;
- amusement parks - lifeguard, ticket seller, administrator;
- supermarkets, shops - salesperson, manager, cashier;
- hotels - maid, administrator, waiter;
- national parks - tour guide, cashier, ticket seller.
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Requirements for participants
To become a member of the program, you must meet the following requirements:
- age - from 18 to 35 years old;
- education - not lower than complete secondary;
- knowledge of French or English at the Intermediate level or higher (you need to pass a language proficiency test);
- availability of funds necessary for studying and living in Canada (at least 25,000 Canadian dollars);
- there should be no refusals to enter Canada in the previous 6 months;
- no criminal record.
Stages of admission
The admission process to the Work and Study in Canada program consists of several stages:
- Choosing an educational institution. To do this, you need to decide on the direction of study and the city in which you want to study. On the Canada School Search site, you can find a Canadian college or university by name, province, city, or program. When choosing private colleges, you need to pay attention to the fact that the educational institution has the right to accept foreign students (had a DLI number) and is registered with the provincial Ministry of Education as a college. You can find out if a foreign citizen has the right to study and work in Canada under the program, as well as send an application for training, on the Immigration.ca portal.
- Applying to college or Immigration.ca. It is necessary to indicate personal data, level of language proficiency, information about education, work experience (if any).
- Preparation of documents: certificate, diploma, language certificate, work record book, police clearance certificate, confirmation of the availability of funds.
- Registration of a student visa. It is difficult to obtain permission to study and work in Canada. The chances increase if the applicant has traveled to the United States, Great Britain, and other countries with a visa regime. The consular officer draws attention to the availability of sufficient funds in the account.
- Finding accommodation for the period of study. Accommodation options: student residences, apartments, Canadian families.
- Preparing for departure. For the trip, you will need medical insurance, air tickets, money for food, travel, pocket money.
What papers need to be prepared
To obtain a study permit, you need to prepare the following documents:
- letter of admission to an educational institution;
- international passport;
- 2 passport-sized photographs;
- documents confirming financial viability (certificate of having an account with a Canadian bank, bank statements for the last four months, certificate that the applicant paid for tuition and accommodation);
- a motivation letter explaining why you want to study in Canada;
- a certificate of admission to an educational institution of Quebec (CAQ) issued by the provincial government (if the applicant travels to study in Quebec).
What is the minimum amount a candidate should have
Tuition costs depend on the chosen program and college. The average cost of the program (50 weeks) is $ 10,000. For example, at Canadian College in Vancouver, the cost of the program in 2021 in different directions is, in US dollars:
- international business management - 14,200 (12 months);
- social media marketing - 16,600 (24 months);
- hotel management - 17,000 (24 months);
- information technology - 16 400 (24 months).
The cost of training should include the cost of the registration fee - $ 200-350, study materials - $ 700-1600, passing the exam (on some programs it is paid separately) - $ 700-1,200.
To obtain a student visa, it is necessary to prove that the student has enough funds not only for training, but also for staying in the country: at least $ 917 per month - in Quebec, $ 833 - in other provinces.
Approximate cost per month for living in Canada, in US dollars:
- in a student hostel - from 850;
- in a host family - from 920;
- apartment rent - 700-1,500.
Additional costs include the cost of obtaining health insurance, obtaining a visa, purchasing air tickets. Health insurance can be purchased from an insurance company in your home country, using the travel insurance program, or you can apply for a policy for foreigners (Visitors to Canada Medical Insurance) from a private Canadian insurance company.
The cost of applying for a visa is $ 150. The plane ticket should be purchased after obtaining a visa to avoid fines and overpayments.
Pros and cons of the program
Study in Canada under the Work and Study program has the following advantages:
- the opportunity to earn money while studying;
- the basis of training is the solution of practical problems based on real situations;
- the opportunity to receive a diploma in 12 months;
- gaining experience in teamwork with students from around the world;
- the opportunity to expand contacts, get recommendations from teachers.
The disadvantages include:
- high cost of training;
- age restrictions;
- possible difficulties in finding an employer;
- expensive rental housing in metropolitan areas.
Young people who overcome all difficulties will have a real chance of moving up the career ladder immediately after receiving a diploma.
