WORKING OR VOLUNTEERING IN CANADA

Int'l Student || Spouses & Common Law Partners || Social Insurance Number

 

In general, a valid Study Permit allows an international student to work ON-CAMPUS ONLY at the institution where he/she is registered as a full-time student. Since campus employment is difficult to find, students should not depend on a campus job as a source of income.

 

Who Needs a Work Permit?
To work or even do some volunteer activities off-campus, a Work Permit is required. In most cases, before a student can apply for a Work Permit, the employer must prove that a Canadian or Permanent Resident of Canada could not be hired for the position. This process is called Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) confirmation.  It is also referred to as obtaining a Labour Market Opinion.

Volunteering
Many activities that do not provide financial remuneration (wages or commission) are considered work by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and require a Work Permit.

When is a Work Permit NOT Required?
Some volunteer activities and on-campus employment do not require a Work Permit.

In general, a valid Study Permit allows an international student to work ON-CAMPUS ONLY at the institution where he/she is registered as a full-time student. On-campus is defined as employment facilities that are physically located within the boundaries of the campus. The employer can be the university itself, a student organization, private business, or private contractor providing services to the institution on the campus. Students may also undertake self employment without a Work Permit providing that the work is done on the campus.

Since campus employment is difficult to find, students should not depend on a campus job as a source of income.

 

A) WORK PERMITS AVAILABLE TO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

International students may obtain Work Permits for off-campus employment without HRSDC confirmation in a limited number of situations. The following Work Permits are available to eligible students and do not require HRSDC confirmation:

• Work Permits for Academic Purposes / Co-op Work Permits: If a student is required to work or volunteer off-campus as part of their academic program, they may apply for a Work Permit for Academic Purposes (commonly referred to as a Co-op Work Permit). This type of Work Permit is required for co-op work terms, internships, practicums, work placements, etc. even if the student is not being paid. There is no fee for this type of Work Permit. Students may apply after arriving in Canada. Students must receive the Work Permit before beginning the required work.
• Post-Graduation Work Permits:  The Post-Graduation Work Permit is available to students who have completed their academic program.  To be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, the student must have completed a full-time academic program of study in Canada of at least 8 months in duration at an eligible institution in Canada, such as a university or college.  For a full description of eligible institutions, consult the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.  The length of the academic program affects the length of the Post-Graduation Work Permit.  The academic program must be at least 8-months in duration and the maximum length of a Post-Graduation Work Permit is 3 years.  To be eligible for a 3 year Post-Graduation Work Permit, the student must complete an academic program that is at least 2 years in duration. Students must apply for the Post-Graduation Work Permit within 90 days of completing the graduation requirements for their academic program and their Study Permit must be valid at the time of application.  The 90-day period begins on completion of graduation requirements and not on the day of the graduation ceremony. For undergraduate students, the 90-day period begins when their final grade is posted to the U of M web site. For graduate students, the 90-day period begins when they submit their final thesis to the Faculty of Graduate Studies or the date they are notified that they have passed their comprehensive exams.  Post-Graduation Work Permits are issued after one academic program only - a student cannot receive a Post-Graduation Work Permit after each academic program they complete. 
• Off-Campus Work Permits: The Off-Campus Work Permit Program allows qualifying international students to obtain Work Permits to work off-campus during their studies for a maximum of 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions and full-time during regularly scheduled breaks such as the summer session and winter holidays. For detailed information about Off-Campus Work Permit rules, eligibility requirements, application procedures, and forms for U of M students, visit:
  http://umanitoba.ca/student/ics/visa/offcampus.html. 
  
   

B) WORK PERMITS FOR SPOUSES & COMMON-LAW PARTNERS OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

There is a special program for spouses/common-law partners of international students. If you are a full-time student and you hold a valid Study Permit, your husband, wife, or common-law partner may apply for a Work Permit once both of you are in Canada. Your spouse/common-law partner will not need to have a job offer or HRSDC confirmation before applying for the Work Permit.  This type of Work Permit is intended for spouses/common-law partners who are not students themselves.

 

C) SOCIAL INSURANCE NUMBER

A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is required to work in Canada.

• For more information about Social Insurance Numbers (SINs) visit http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/sc/sin/index.shtml