Study in Canada vs the US: A US$70,000 Price Tag on Working After Graduation, and What Canada Offers Instead
The US has proposed charging US$70,000 before an international student can work there. Canada has tightened its rules too, but it has not put a price tag like that on post-study work. Here is the side by side.
If you have been planning to study in the United States, October 7, 2026 probably changed your math. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed a fee of US$70,000 before an international student can be approved to work in the US through Optional Practical Training (OPT), the program most graduates use to get their first job there.
We are already hearing the next question: should I be looking at Canada instead? This post puts study in Canada vs US side by side, honestly. Canada has tightened its own rules over the past two years, and we will be clear about that. But there is one big difference right now. Canada has not proposed anything like a US$70,000 price tag on working after you graduate.
Comparing your options right now? Speak with with our licensed team before you commit to a school on either side of the border.
What the US just proposed
As reported by The Associated Press on CTV News, DHS proposed the fee on October 7, 2026, describing it as part of a broader crackdown. Under the DHS proposal:
A US$70,000 fee would apply to each F-1 student recommended for an initial period of OPT.
A US$30,000 fee would apply to any later OPT authorization, including extensions such as the STEM extension.
The fee would be paid by the school that recommends the student, before the student can be approved for work authorization.
Today, applying for OPT costs a student a few hundred dollars in filing fees.
Two things matter here. First, this is a proposal, not a final rule. It can change, and it will likely face public comment and legal challenges. Second, even though the school pays on paper, a cost that size does not disappear. Schools may limit how many students they recommend, or pass the cost on in other ways. Either way, the path from a US degree to a US job just got far less certain.
What Canada offers instead: the PGWP
Canada's equivalent is the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). According to IRCC, it lets graduates of eligible programs at eligible designated learning institutions (DLIs) gain Canadian work experience after they finish their studies. It is an open work permit, so you are not tied to a single employer.
The fee is set by IRCC at $255 CAD: the $155 CAD work permit fee plus the $100 CAD open work permit holder fee. There is no school fee and no extra charge to work.
| United States (OPT) | Canada (PGWP) |
Cost to work after graduation | US $70,000 per student for initial OPT (proposed), US $30,000 for later authorizations | $255 CAD in IRCC fees |
Who pays | The school, before work is authorized (proposed) | The graduate |
Status of the rule | Proposed October 7, 2026, not final | In force today |
Length | Generally up to 12 months per education level, longer for eligible STEM graduates | Up to 3 years, depending on your program |
One year master's | 12 months of OPT | Up to a 3 year PGWP if the program was at least 8 months |
Type of permit | Work tied to your field of study | Open work permit, any employer |
The detail most people miss: a one year master's can still mean three years of work
This is the point that surprises most of the students we speak with. According to IRCC, since February 15, 2024, graduates of a master's degree program can apply for a 3 year PGWP even if the program was shorter than 2 years, as long as it was at least 8 months long and they meet the other requirements.
For other programs, the rule is different. A program of at least 8 months but less than 2 years usually gets a PGWP up to the length of the program. A program of 2 years or more can get a 3 year PGWP. Certificates and diplomas do not get the master's advantage.
Three years of open work authorization matters for more than income. Canadian work experience is the foundation of the Canadian Experience Class and many provincial programs, and it can lead to permanent residence. If Canadian permanent residence is part of your plan, that is where the planning starts.
Planning a master's in Canada? the program you choose should support the work permit you are counting on.
Canada has tightened too. Here is what changed
We would not be doing our job if we told you Canada is simple. It is not. The difference is that Canada's changes are about who qualifies, not a price tag on working. According to IRCC:
Not every program is PGWP eligible. Graduating from a DLI does not automatically make you eligible. You need to check that your specific program qualifies before you accept an offer.
Field of study rules apply to many programs. If you applied for your study permit on or after November 1, 2024 and you are not in a bachelor's, master's or doctoral program, you must graduate in a field linked to occupations in long term shortage.
Language results are now required. University graduates need at least CLB 7 (or NCLC 7 in French) in all four skills. College and other non university graduates need at least CLB 5 (or NCLC 5).
Most of your program must be in Canada. Programs delivered mostly online, or through certain public private college partnerships, may not qualify.
The financial bar is higher. As of September 1, 2026, a single applicant outside Quebec must show CAD $23,448 for living expenses, on top of first year tuition and travel.
Put simply: in Canada, the risk is choosing the wrong program, not paying the wrong fee. That risk is avoidable if you check eligibility before you apply, not after you graduate.
Working while you study in Canada
Canada also lets eligible international students work during their studies. According to IRCC, full time students in eligible programs can work up to 24 hours per week off campus during regular terms, and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks such as summer and winter holidays. Co-op and internship placements that are part of a program are handled separately.
Working more than you are allowed is a breach of your study permit conditions and can affect future applications, so track your hours carefully.
Skilled workers are still needed in Canada
Canada is managing its numbers more carefully than it used to, but it still needs skilled people in specific fields. That is exactly why the PGWP field of study list exists: it points students toward occupations in long term shortage, such as health care, trades and other priority sectors. Express Entry has also continued to run category based draws in areas like healthcare and trades throughout 2026.
Our practitioner view: for students who choose the right program, Canada still offers one of the clearest routes from a study permit to work experience and, for many, to permanent residence. The students who run into trouble are usually the ones who picked a program first and checked the immigration rules second.
What this means if you are...
Already admitted to a US school
Nothing is final yet, but you should plan for the possibility that OPT becomes harder to access. Ask your school directly how it would handle the fee if the rule is finalized. If you are still deciding, it is reasonable to compare offers in Canada at the same time.
Comparing schools in both countries
Compare the full picture, not just tuition. Look at the program's PGWP eligibility, the length of work permit it can lead to, the language results you will need, and the funds you must show. We help with school admissions as well as study permits.
Not sure which Canadian program fits your goals? Let's walk you through your options.
Already holding a Canadian admission letter
Confirm your program is PGWP eligible, gather your proof of funds and language results, and make sure your study plan explains why this program makes sense for your career. Those are the areas where study permit files are most often refused.
Have your letter of acceptance? Speak with a licensed team before you apply.
What to do before you choose
Check that your school is a DLI and that your specific program is PGWP eligible.
If your program is not a degree, check that it is on the eligible field of study list.
Book your English or French test early and aim for the level your program requires.
Plan your proof of funds now: $23,448 CAD plus tuition and travel for a single applicant outside Quebec.
Think past graduation: which work experience will you need for the permanent residence pathway you want?
Speak with a licensed team before you pay a deposit.
We are here to help you choose well
A US$70,000 price tag has pushed many students to look beyond the US, and that is a reasonable reaction. Canada is not the easy option. It is the option that still rewards students who plan carefully. Whether you are still choosing a school, already have an admission, or are ready to apply for your study permit, our licensed team can help.
Got questions about studying in Canada or ready to apply? Work with our licensed team on your school admission and study permit application.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to study in Canada or the US in 2026?
It depends on your goals. If working after graduation matters to you, Canada's Post-Graduation Work Permit costs CAD $255 in IRCC fees and can last up to 3 years, while the US has proposed a US$70,000 fee for initial OPT. Canada does require an eligible program, language results and proof of funds.
What is the proposed US$70,000 OPT fee?
On October 7, 2026, the US Department of Homeland Security proposed a US$70,000 fee for each F-1 student recommended for initial Optional Practical Training, and US$30,000 for later authorizations. Under the proposal, schools would pay it before work is authorized. It is not yet a final rule.
Can I get a 3 year work permit after a one year master's in Canada?
Yes, if you qualify. According to IRCC, master's graduates can apply for a 3 year PGWP even if the program was shorter than 2 years, as long as it was at least 8 months and all other requirements are met. This does not apply to certificates or diplomas.
How much does a PGWP cost in Canada?
IRCC's fee is CAD $255, made up of the CAD $155 work permit fee and the CAD $100 open work permit holder fee. You may also pay for biometrics if you need to give them. There is no separate school fee to work after graduation.
Is every program in Canada eligible for a PGWP?
No. You must study at an eligible designated learning institution in an eligible program, meet the language requirement, and in many non degree programs, graduate in an eligible field of study. Check eligibility before you accept an offer, not after you graduate.
Can international students work while studying in Canada?
Yes, if they meet IRCC's conditions. Eligible full time students can work up to 24 hours per week off campus during regular terms and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks. Working beyond these limits breaches your study permit conditions.
How InfoPlace Canada can help
School admissions: help choosing and applying to programs that fit your career and your immigration plans.
Study permit applications: full licensed representation, from proof of funds to your study plan.
PGWP applications: timing, language results and eligibility handled before you graduate.
PR planning: turning Canadian work experience into a permanent residence strategy.
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This article is general information about Canadian immigration and is not legal advice. Information about the US proposal reflects reporting and the DHS proposal as of October 7, 2026, and may change. Canadian rules are based on IRCC's website at the time of writing. Every file turns on its own facts, outcomes vary, and no result is guaranteed. Speak with a licensed representative about your situation.
