What to Consider When Staying in Canada After You Graduate

There’s more to think about than getting a job (though that’s important too!).

You’ve done it! You’ve gone to class, studied, completed assignments, and written exams and now you’ve graduated university. That’s awesome! Be sure to take some time to celebrate your accomplishment. And when you’re ready to think about what’s next, here are some things to think about if you want to stay in Canada after you graduate.

Make sure your immigration status is up to date

Be sure to check with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on your immigration status to ensure you are able to stay in Canada. If you’re interested in working in Canada, you may be eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

Consider where you want to live

Once you have confirmed your immigration status, think about where in Canada you’d like to live. You might love the city where you attended university and want to stay there. Or you might be interested in exploring another city or province. There’s a lot to choose from! Canada is the second-largest country in the world and covers 3.8 million square miles!

There are bigger cities where you can live — like Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal — or smaller cities — like Victoria (in British Columbia), Halifax (in Nova Scotia), or Waterloo (in Ontario). Where you choose to live can also be influenced by the type of career you’d like, so let’s consider that.

Explore your career options

This is why you went to university! You’ve likely been thinking about your career for a while now and may already have a job lined up. If you don’t, be sure to check with the career centre at your university for guidance on career planning and your job search. This can be especially helpful if you’re looking for career options in a different city or part of Canada.

And if you’ve graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University, you’ll still have access to the Career Centre. In fact, you’ll have access for life!

Think about graduate studies

Completing your undergraduate degree doesn’t have to be the end of university. There are so many graduate programs to consider in business, health, science, arts, and more, at universities across the country. And there are graduate programs that can be completed in 12 months, so you can get your graduate degree in only a year!

At Laurier, there are over 50 graduate degree and diploma programs you can choose from that will help you build on your academic knowledge and expand your career opportunities.

There are so many great opportunities in Canada as well as resources and support to help you discover what’s best for you. It’s also never too early to think about staying in Canada after you graduate, so if you’re interested be sure to take advantage of the support at your university while you’re a student!