International students who complete their post-secondary education in Canada may apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, or PGWP, in order to gain Canadian work experience.
The Government of Canada provides the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program as part of its efforts to attract international students and retain them as skilled workers. The program provides an open work permit, which allows international graduates to work for any Canadian employer in any industry without the requirement of a Canadian job offer at the time of applying.
Students intending to acquire a degree at a university can complete their first two years of study at a community college or university college and earn credits. Most of the credits earned in this type of program may be transferred to universities as the first and second years of a degree program. Community colleges and university colleges that offer transfer programs usually have an established relationship with nearby universities.