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Many international students dream of pursuing degree programs in a country renowned for its high educational standards, and they even desire to work in the host country after graduating from the university.
Some countries grant permits or work visas for foreigners seeking employment after completing their undergraduate or graduate programs, and that is what we at Booklab24 will delve into in this post. If you wish to work in the country you intend to travel to for your studies; then it is important to research which places offer post-study work opportunities so that you can initiate the application while applying for the bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD program.
An upside to getting a post-study work visa is that it can be the first step towards becoming a permanent resident in the country that granted you a study visa. This article outlines five of the most popular and safe countries that allow you to work abroad after graduation.
1. United Kingdom
The United Kingdom boasts numerous reputed universities offering top-notch education, making it a choice destination for international students. However, it wasn’t always open to granting permits for foreigners to work abroad. At one time, bachelor’s or master’s degree students could only stay for up to 6 months after graduation, and this also extended to doctorate students, who could only stay for a maximum of 1 year.
However, in 2019, the UK government eased up on the stringent post-study work visa policy. It announced that it would allow international students graduating from a higher institution to stay for up to two years. Furthermore, after completing their degree, foreigners can now apply to wait for a longer period by getting an employer sponsorship scheme with a Tier 2 work visa.
2. Canada
Canada is the heartthrob of international students looking to work and study in North America. It is second only to the United States in its emergence as the favorite study-abroad destination because of its friendly immigration policies. Apart from a world-class education system and a robust economy, Canada allows foreign graduates to stay back after completing their studies, irrespective of their field or level of study. International students who have graduated from recognized Canadian universities/Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) can apply for a Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
Before applying for PGWP, note that the post-study visa will not exceed three years. It is a norm for the duration of the post-study visa to be the same time frame as the course/program. When you graduate from a Canadian university, you will have six months to apply for your permit, which you can use either from your home country or Canada.
Conditions for granting Post Graduation Work Permit in Canada:
Must be 18 years of age and above.
You should have studied for at least eight months from any DLI(s) for a full-time course in Canada.
Authorities should have received transcripts or certificates of completion from respective DLIs stating that the course pursued was completed.
3. Australia
Australia allows international students undertaking programs in higher institutions to work after completing their studies. Interested candidates can apply for a Temporary Graduate Visa, enabling them to stay in the country for 2-4 years after graduation.
The length of your stay and work permit in the country after graduating will depend on the kind of course that you did. Those who have a bachelor’s or Master’s degree by coursework are allowed to remain for two years. Scholars with a research master’s degree can stay back in the country for three years. Finally, candidates with a Ph.D. can remain for up to four years.
An added advantage of working in Australia, unlike some of its counterpart nations, is that you can include family members on your application for a post-study work visa. Bear in mind that your area of specialization at the university does not affect your chances of getting a work permit.
Mandatory requirements for obtaining a post-study work visa in Australia:
ELP (English language proficiency) Scores
A bachelor’s degree is applicable for a Graduate Work Visa and is valid for 18 months.
IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5; no less than 6
OR
PTE (Pearson Test of English) scores
Master’s or Ph.D. holders can apply for the Post Study Work Visa.
International students must have completed two years of academic study in Australia, either bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD. Those with a diploma or degree are not eligible for the work visa.
4. Ireland
Ireland is another European nation that allows international students to work after graduating from various fields of study. It offers a one-year post-study work visa for those who secure a bachelor’s degree from any Irish university. For postgraduate students applying to stay behind for work, it grants a work visa so that they can remain for up to 24 months after graduation.
Apart from being recognized and accepted globally, degrees in Ireland are often very aligned with the economy’s needs, making many Irish graduates highly employable. Some areas where graduates can get a job after graduation are telecommunications, IT, pharmaceuticals, or applied sciences.
5. New Zealand
New Zealand, located in the South Pacific region, is friendly to international students looking to study in its tertiary institutions. It offers opportunities to those who want to get a post-study work visa, but the rules are tightened.
Suppose you are interested in the hospitality and tourism sector, food/agriculture, and animation. In that case, there is a great chance of you finding a job in New Zealand after completing your studies. However, the country grants a post-study work visa for only 12 months. Not only is it mandatory for international students to have studied in New Zealand to qualify, but they must also have attained at least Level 4 of the education qualification framework or even higher.
Other criteria include:
Students should have completed 60 weeks of study or more
Students should have gained two different types of courses that lasted 30 weeks or above
Students who are English speakers of other languages (ESOL) are not included on this list.
If you want to get another post-study work visa after the expiration of the first, international students can pursue another course, which must be 30 weeks long or above, and complete it.
It doesn’t matter if the program is a master’s or doctorate, but the course must be higher than the previously attended course.
As you consider your options for working in New Zealand, it is also vital to understand that the permit comes with various rules and regulations. This is probably why New Zealand is ranked 12th among countries that offer post-study work visas to international students.
