How do Germany and Canada differ on post-study work time and part-time hours for me as a student?
Germany offers an 18-month residence permit to seek work after graduation, while Canada's PGWP can run up to 3 years depending on your programme. For part-time work during studies, the comparison lists up to 20 hours a week in Germany and 24 in Canada.
If post-study work time matters most to you, Canada looks longer on paper, with a Post-Graduation Work Permit of up to 3 years, depending on your programme, against Germany's 18-month residence permit for job seeking. On weekly part-time hours, Germany lists up to 20 hours and Canada lists 24 hours.
Germany vs Canada at a glance
| Parameter | Germany | Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Post-study work route | 18-month residence permit to seek work (often called a Job Seeker Visa) | Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), up to 3 years, depending on programme length |
| Part-time work hours | Up to 20 hours a week | 24 hours a week |
What else shapes the choice
- Germany is strong in technical fields such as engineering and computer science, with English-taught options at many Master's programmes.
- Canada pairs a multicultural setting with a clear pathway from a student visa towards permanent residency.
- Intakes differ too: Germany has winter and summer intakes, while Canada mainly has September and January starts.
My Advice
Treat these figures as a starting comparison and confirm current rules on the official immigration pages of each country before you shortlist. Match the visa length to your own plan, because a longer window only helps if your course qualifies for it.
How much can you actually earn part-time in Canada?
See how part-time work fits into your total budget and visa funds.
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