Your academic direction
Your faculty advisor
Degree requirements, course choices, substitutions and planning your program.
All stages
Stage 4 of 5
Final term
What to settle before your last classes end, so the move from student to graduate is smooth.
Steps, in order
Open a step to read its answer, or go to the page that covers it.
Immigration
Check your PGWP eligibility before your last term
Full-time history, leaves and program length all affect the Post-Graduation Work Permit. Confirm yours with ISVS early.Start in your first year, not your last month. PGWP eligibility can be affected by full-time status, program completion, timing, previous PGWP use, leave periods, and application deadlines.
Before you rely on this
- UAlberta summarizes PGWP basics, but IRCC rules can change, so verify requirements before making academic or travel decisions.
Immigration
Know what finishing early means for your permit
Finishing sooner than planned can shorten how long your study permit stays valid, so check with ISVS before you rely on its printed date.IRCC rules can shorten how long your study permit remains valid after program completion. If you finish earlier, check IRCC rules and speak with ISVS before assuming you can remain in Canada until the printed expiry date.
Immigration
Check your passport and study permit dates
Both need to last long enough for your PGWP application. A passport that expires soon can shorten what you are given.Before your final term, review PGWP eligibility, confirm full-time history and any leaves or part-time terms, check passport validity, confirm completion-letter timing, and understand whether you can work while waiting for a PGWP decision. Contact ISVS for UAlberta-specific guidance and check IRCC before making travel or employment decisions.
- Academics
Apply to graduate on time
Graduation is not automatic, even if you skip the ceremony. Apply in Bear Tracks before the window closes. Graduate students also need their completion form in, and can then request a completion letter for the PGWP.Records and graduation Jobs
Start your job search with the Career Centre
Book a resume and interview review, and use campusBRIDGE for postings aimed at U of A students.Job opportunitiesBegin with the Career Centre, because its events are built for students meeting professionals for the first time. Career Coffee Chats are free, relaxed conversations with alumni and people working in your field. Employer information sessions and career fairs let you talk to recruiters directly, and the Job Shadow Program places you in a workplace for a day. If you want someone to guide you over a few months, apply to the Career Mentoring Program: it matches you with a mentor for about 12 hours over four to six months, runs once a year with applications opening in late August, and charges a small fee.
- Pick one Career Coffee Chat or employer session to attend this term.
- Add a line to your calendar for late August so you do not miss the mentoring application.
- Follow up with anyone you meet on LinkedIn, mentioning where you spoke.
- Jobs
Build a list of employers to target
Start with organizations that already hire U of A students, then reach out before postings open.Co-op employers
Who to ask3
A guide to where to go, not immigration or legal advice.
International student support
ISVS
International Student and Visitor Services: your starting point for permits, visas, health insurance and settling into Edmonton.
University administration
Student Services Directory
Every U of A service in one place, including the Student Service Centre for registration, records, transcripts and fees.