Studying in Canada has always been quite popular among international students as they are given a work permit after the completion of their coursework. According to a survey held on December 31, 2019, approximately 498,735 post-secondary international students were studying in Canada. And the popular opinion among the students was that they would like to stay and work in Canada after the completion of their study program.

It is pertinent to mention here that Canada also permits foreign students to work part-time during the school year. And the cherry on top is that they are granted work permits upon their graduation as a gateway for acquiring permanent residence.

The federal government has also announced that international students who were forced to enroll in online courses due to the unfortunate circumstances created by the spread of Covid-19 would still be granted work permits upon completion of their coursework.

Linda Franklin, president, and CEO of Colleges Ontario, which represents the province’s 24 public colleges, stated:

“This is terrific news for students and our province. It ensures students outside Canada who want to pursue the quality programs at Ontario’s colleges will get that opportunity this fall.”

ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN CANADA:

There are a few provinces in Canada that offer pilot programs to graduating international students. After the completion of the study period in Canada, international students can apply to these pilot programs to become graduate student entrepreneurs and set up a business in Canada.

However, some provinces do not provide the same opportunity so to set up a business in those specific provinces, students may have to partner up with a Canadian resident or citizen.

If you are an international student and looking to enroll in a Canadian university to take advantage of the online schooling changes and would eventually like to go into entrepreneurship, have a look at the following provinces and their colleges and universities as possible places to enroll.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROVINCIAL PROGRAMS

MANITOBA

Under the International Student Entrepreneur Pilot in Manitoba, up to 20 (per calendar year) students are provided with the opportunity to pursue entrepreneurship instead of employment upon graduation.

The applicants need to meet the conditions of the Business Performance Agreement to qualify for a residence permit. The steps for pursuing entrepreneurship under this program are as follows:

Step One: You need to conduct an objective self-assessment to figure out if you meet the minimum eligibility criteria of the International Student Entrepreneur Pilot. Fill and complete the ‘Interest Guideline Form’.

Step Two: Research the business concept. Fill in and complete the ‘Business Concept Form’.

Step Three: Submit an expression of interest.

Step Four: Submit your application for further proceeding.

Step Five: Your complete application will be assessed by the MPNP. The assessment process will include an in-person interview with the MPNP.

Step Six: Implement and execute your business plan in Manitoba.

Step Seven: Receive your MPNP nomination.

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) is an immigration program that is administered by the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The International Graduate Entrepreneur Category under the Business Immigration Stream of the NLPNP has been created to offer a gateway for those individuals who have completed their graduation from Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) or College of the North Atlantic (CNA) after at least:

• Two years of full-time study;
• Have already started operating or acquired a business in Newfoundland and Labrador, which has been actively operational and managed and for at least one year;
• And who are intending to settle permanently in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The four steps that need to be followed are:

Step One: Expression of Interest

Step Two: Invitation to Apply

Step Three: In-person Interview and Nomination

Step Four: Applying for permanent residence

NOVA SCOTIA

The International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is intended for recent graduates of a Nova Scotia university or the Nova Scotia Community College. To be eligible for this program, the individuals should have already set up or bought a Nova Scotia business and actively operated and managed for at least one year.

Moreover, to be nominated for the permanent resident status, the graduate should intend to live in Nova Scotia. The following steps should be followed:

Step One: Complete the Expression of Interest form

Step Two: If you are offered to apply, fill in the application form, and make sure to include all necessary information and attachments.

SASKATCHEWAN

The International Graduate Entrepreneur is a category of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program, which is used to nominate business-oriented graduates for permanent resident status in Canada.

However, you must be an international student graduating from a Saskatchewan institution who intends on becoming an entrepreneur. To apply to this program, you need to follow the below-mentioned steps:

Step One: Begin by submitting “Expression of Interest”

Step Two: Invitation to apply.

Step Three: Sign the business performance agreement and establish your business in Saskatchewan

Step Four: After being approved for a provincial nomination, the applicant applies for Canadian permanent resident status.

It has never been a better time to enroll in Canadian universities for those who aspire to become entrepreneurs. What do you think?