Students Studying in Canada Post-Graduation Work Permit

Both Northeastern University Toronto and Vancouver Campuses are Canadian Designated Learning Institutions (DLI) recognized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada (IRCC).

• Northeastern University Toronto Campus’ DLI number is O141550844262 (begins with the letter “O”).
• Northeastern University Vancouver Campus’ DLI number is O142031583162(begins with the letter “O”).

All degree programs offered by Northeastern University Toronto and Vancouver campus are eligible for  PGWPs.

In order to be eligible for a PGWP at the completion of their PGWP-eligible degree program at Northeastern, student applicants must meet the following conditions:

• Have completed an academic, vocational or professional training program at a DLI eligible institution in Canada that is at least 8 months in duration and leads to a degree, diploma or certificate.
• Have maintained full-time student status in Canada during each academic term in the programs of study completed as part of their PGWP application. There may be exceptions to full-time student status for leaves of study and the final academic term, provided conditions are met.
• Students must submit their PGWP application within 180 days of securing a letter from Northeastern indicating that they have met all program completion requirements. Students can apply from inside Canada if a study permit is still valid; those who apply for a PGWP while their study permit is valid may be eligible to work whilst their application is adjudicated. If the study permit is expired, the application must be filed outside of Canada within 180 days of their program completion date.

It is important to note that PGWP eligibility, as well as duration of any granted PGWP is at the sole discretion of IRCC.

Please find instruction on the IRCC website.

The following definitions are used by Northeastern University Canadian campuses to determine whether an international student enrolled in a graduate program at the NU Toronto or Vancouver campus is considered to be full-time student for Canadian immigration purposes.

Academic sessions

For semester-based programs, NU has three semesters per year:

• Spring semester: January to April
• Summer semester: May to August
• Fall semester: September to December

Please see a list of semester-based programs below:

• Master of Science in Computer Science
• Master of Science in Computer Science Align
• Master of Science in Data Analytics Engineering
• Master of Science in Information Systems
• Master of Science in Information Design and Data Visualization
• Master of Science in Bioinformatics
• Master of Science in Biotechnology

For quarter-based programs, NU has four quarters per year:

• Winter quarter: January to April
• Spring quarter: April to July
• Summer quarter: July to August
• Fall quarter: September to December

Please see a list of quarter-based programs below:

• Master of Professional Study in Analytics
• Master of Science in Regulatory Affairs
• Master of Science in Project Management
• Master of Professional Studies in Informatics

Scheduled breaks

There are three scheduled breaks at NU Canadian campuses, dates may vary by program:

• Spring break: One week in March for semester-based programs and one week in April for quarter-based programs,
• Summer break: Summer semester for semester-based programs unless indicated differently by the college, and summer quarter for quarter-based programs
• Winter break: Last two weeks in December and the first week in January (depending on final exam schedule)

Definition of full-time for immigration purposes

For students enrolled in graduate programs, NU considers students registered in 8 or more credits per academic semester/quarter, except for scheduled breaks, to be full-time student, for the purpose of Canadian immigration.

During scheduled breaks, students may choose to take the break or have a part-time/ full-time course load if courses are available.

Students on Co-op

Students are considered to be full-time for immigration purposes if they are registered with the proper non-credit co-op course during the co-op term, as reflected on their transcript.

Students with special accommodations

Students with reduced course load are considered to be full-time for immigration purposes if they have received official approval from the Disability Resource Center of NU for special accommodations.

Graduating students

Students who have completed the final course towards graduation and while awaiting the letter of completion to be available are considered by NU to be full-time for immigration purposes.