Post-Graduation Work Opportunities for Pakistani Students Abroad

Pakistani students are seeking quality education. They are choosing international facilities and better career opportunities. Studying abroad has been a popular choice for students. But the overall process does not end at just getting a visa. Most of the students have this desire to be able to work and earn their living in their host country after the completion of their studies. Work opportunities after graduation are fundamentally important for the process of career making. Moreover, Students have to pay their educational loans. They also have to be applying for permanent residency (PR) in their host country. Here is the complete guide about the various post-study work options and opportunities available for Pakistani students. The leading study-abroad destinations are the UK, Canada, Australia, and the USA.

1. United Kingdom (UK)

Post-Study Work Plan: Graduate Visa

The UK offers a beneficial post-study work visa, which is called the Graduate Route. This visa was introduced in July 2021. It allows international students from all around the world to stay in the UK. Students work in the UK to find new opportunities for the following time period: 

• 2 years after the completion of the graduate degree.
  
• 3 years after the completion of the doctoral degree.
  

Key Requirements:

• The students must have completed a degree from a UK Higher Education. The degree should be provided with a proven track record of compliance.
  
• The student must apply before the expiry of the current Tier 4 visa.
  
• There is no requirement for a job offer or a minimum salary threshold.
  

Benefits:

• You are allowed to work full-time in any sector at any skill level.
  
• No employer sponsorship or support is required in work permit.
  
• There is a lot of flexibility to switch to a skilled work visa once you find a qualifying job role.
  

Permanent Residency:

• Graduates have an option to move to a Skilled Worker Visa. This can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and eventually British citizenship.

2. Canada

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

Canada attracts a large number of Pakistani students due to its top-tier education system. Its post-graduation work opportunities, such as Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), allow graduates to gain valuable professional experience within the country.

Duration:

• This scholarship is valid for up to 3 years. It also depends on the length of the study program.
  
• If the program is less than 8 months, the student is not eligible for a PGWP.

Eligibility:

• The student must have studied at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
  
• The student must have been enrolled as a full time student for the entire duration of their study program, except in their final semester.

• You must submit your PGWP no later than 180 days. This duration starts after you school gives you both you final transcript and an official letter confirming that you have successfully completed your program.
  

Benefits:

• The student can work for any employer across Canada.
  
• Gaining Canadian work experience helps the student in applying for Permanent Residency (PR) in canada in the following programs:
  
  • Canadian experience class (CEC)
    
  • Provincial nominee program (PNP)
    
  • Express entry
    

Permanent Residency in Canada:

• The Work experience of the students gained during PGWP allows to get towards PR eligibility criteria.
  
• Many Pakistani students want to settle in Canada on a permanent basis.

3. Australia

Temporary Graduate Visa:

Australia offers the Temporary Graduate Visa. This visa enables international students to stay in Australia. After graduation, the students stay in Australia to gain practical work experience.

Types of Streams:

1. Graduate Work Stream: This visa is available for graduates who have skills in demand in Australia. This visa remain valid for 18 months to 2 years.
   
2. Post Study Work Stream: This visa is available for graduates of higher education, i.e., students of undergraduate, postgraduate, and Ph.D.

Duration:

• If applying for study visa, it requires two to four years, depending on qualification and region.
  
  • Bachelor’s require 2 years.
    
  • Master’s require 3 years
    
  • Ph.D. requires 4 years
    
• Atleast, extra 1–2 years are required for regional university graduates.
  

Eligibility:

• The student must have studied for at least 2 years in Australia.
  
• The student should apply within 6 months of completing the course.
  
• The person must be holding an eligible student visa at the time of application.
  

Benefits:

• One of the benefits are that a person gets to work full-time with no employer restrictions.
  
• The person should gain experience in high-demand sectors like IT, health, engineering, and education.
  

Pathway to PR:

• All the graduates can later apply for visas on the basis for skills such as:
  
  • The skilled Independent Visa
    
  • The skilled Nominated Visa
    
  • The employer-sponsored Visas

4. United States of America (USA)

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

The USA provides post-study work opportunities through Optional Practical Training (OPT). 

This training visa allows students from all around the world to be able to get experience in their field of study & knowledge.

Types:

1. Regular OPT

 It allows international students who are on F-1 visas in the U.S. to work for up to 12 months. They can work after the completion of their degree to gain practical experience in their field of study.

2. STEM OPT Extension 

 If the student’s degree is in a STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics), they can extend their OPT by 24 more months. This makes it a total of 36 months (3 years) of work authorization in the United States.

Eligibility:

• F-1 visa holders, i.e. those students who have completed at least one academic year.
  
• The Job must be directly related to the field of study.
  

Benefits:

• The students are allowed to work full-time during the OPT period.
  
• So, the STEM students can work up to 3 years in total.
  

H-1B Visa:

• The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant work visa. It allows U.S. company employers to hire foreign workers in such types of occupations that require highly specialized knowledge. It usually requires a bachelor’s degree or higher may be post graduation degree. Many of the students use OPT time to find an employer. It helps them geting a sponsor for an H-1B visa. So that they can get a temporary work permit valid for 3-6 years.
  
• The students may apply for a Green Card for permanent residency after working there for some time.

5. Key Factors for Pakistani Students

1. Plan Early

• Students should research about visa options before choosing their study destination.
  
• Students should be selecting programs that align with in-demand job sectors in your host country.
  

2. Work on Language & Soft Skills

• Students should be working on Communication and skills like problem-solving, and cultural adaptability. These skills are required to landpost-study jobs.
  
• In countries such as Britain and USA, strong language skills are essential to be able to adapt there.
  

3. Career Support

• Utilize university career centers( A special office that helps students prepare for the job) for CV building about which they can guide you on what to include or how to format it, mock interviews, and internship opportunities about the type of job you want to apply for.
  
• All the students should be attending job fairs and connecting with the alumni networks.
  

4. Stay Informed

• The policies regarding immigration can change. One should be checking the official immigration websites or consulting certified agents to stay updated.
  

5. Networking is Key

• Leverage your skills on platforms like LinkedIn to be able to have connection with industry professionals.
  
• Students should be engaging in internships. They should work hard to get part-time jobs during study to be able to build experience as a local citizen.

6. High Demand Industries for International Graduates

Pakistani graduates abroad are in demand across various industries, including:

• Engineering
  
• Information & Technology
  
• Finance & Accounting
  
• HealthCare & Nursing
  
• Business & Management
  
• Education & Teaching

Post-graduation work opportunities are important for students. When choosing where to study abroad, Countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, and the USA offer clear and promising pathways. For Pakistani students to work after their studies and to transition into long-term immigration, these countries are best to live.

The students should be selecting their programs carefully. They should stay informed about immigration updates, and actively pursue internships and job opportunities. So,That all the students can make the most of their international education and set themselves up for a successful global career.