Work in Canada

In order to work in Canada, you must have a SIN. This is a taxation number that is unique to you.

You may obtain a SIN by presenting, in person, at the nearest Services Canada office. You will need your valid study permit, your passport and proof of residence (residence receipt or apartment lease).

Learn more about Social Insurance Numbers

Eligibility

If you’re a full-time student, you’re usually eligible to work off campus for up to 20 hours a week during the academic session or full-time during the scheduled break, with a valid study permit. Find out if you can work off campus.

Your valid study permit must state one of the following:

• May work 20 hours off-campus or full-time during regular breaks if meeting criteria outlined in section 186(v) of IRPR.
• May accept on- or off-campus employment if meeting eligibility criteria as per R186 (f), (v) or (w). Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.

If you have one of these statements on your study permit, you are eligible to work as stated and do not need to apply for a work permit.

If your study permit does not have either of the listed statements, you will need to apply to amend your study permit or you may be ineligible. Contact immigration@laurentian.ca to discuss your case.

Note: Full-time graduate students holding external awards should refer to the terms and conditions of the award in regard to off-campus employment.

If you’re a full-time student, you’re usually eligible to work on campus. Your study permit must state that you are allowed to work on or off campus.

Important Notes:

• You must stop working on campus if you no longer meet the conditions of your study permit. For example, you’re no longer a full-time student or your study permit expired.
• Academic Regulation - Full-time graduate students can be employed no more than an average of 20 hours per week on-campus to a maximum of 1005 hours in an academic year (September to August). Consult with your supervisor or program coordinator for more information.

Learn more about working on campus

Applying for an off-campus work permit

If your program accepts you into a co-op or internship placement, you will need to apply for an off-campus work permit to allow you to work up to 40 hours a week. As you prepare for your co-op position, you need to:

• Review the information by Canadian immigration on working as a co-op student or intern.
• Choose if you are applying online or by paper. We recommend online applications because you save time, avoid courier fees and receive updates.

Important Notes:

• You are required to have a co-op work permit before the start of your work term. It is recommended that you apply for your work permit as soon as possible to avoid delays.
• This work permit only allows you to do the job approved by the program during the specified period.

Submit your application online

1. Login to my application through the GC key or a sign-in partner. If you are a new user, you will need to register for an account.
2. Select “Apply to Come to Canada.” If you previously completed the eligibility questionnaire on the site, enter your personal reference code; otherwise, select “I do not have a Personal Reference Code.”
3. Select “Visitor Visa, Study and/or Work Permit” and answer the questions that follow. (Please note, not all questions are listed here.)
   • What would you like to do in Canada?: Work
   • How long are you planning to stay in Canada?: Temporarily – more than six months
   • What is your current country/territory of residence?: Canada
   • What is your current immigration status in Canada?: Student
   • Do you plan to work on-campus?: No
   • Are you a full-time student at a participating post-secondary institution and want to work off campus up to 20 hours per week?: No
   • Have you recently graduated from a participating Canadian post-secondary institution for which your study program was full-time and a minimum of eight months?: No
   • Is your work an essential part of your studies (for example, a co-op or internship program)?: Yes
   • Do you have a written job offer?: No (even if you have received a co-op offer)
   • Do you also want to apply for a study permit?: No (Yes if your study permit is expiring).
   • When does your status in Canada expire?: The expiry date of your study permit.
   • Have you lived in a designated country or territory for more than six months in the last year?: If you have lived in a country for more than six months in the last year and your country is listed as the country where an immigration medical exam is required on the IRCC website, then you must answer “yes.” Otherwise, answer “no.”
4. You must have access to a scanner or camera, as well as a credit or debit card to pay the fees to complete the online application.
5. Once you answer the questions, the system will generate a checklist for your application
6. Fill the application form IMM 5710. (Download our guide to completing IMM 5710 – Co-op.)
7. Gather Supporting Documents.
   Note: Each document size should be 4MB or less.
   • Scan the page that shows your picture, birth date, country of origin and all pages with stamps, visas or markings as a single document.
   • Proof of enrolment: Letter of Enrolment (LOE) for immigration purposes will be uploaded monthly in the my.laurentian.ca portal for international students. Please visit to your my.laurentian,ca under “My Received Documents”Proof of enrolment letters, for immigration purposes, are only valid for 30 days from the date on the letter. Please ensure that the information is accurate. (Registered full-time, year in program, expected graduation date) 
   • Transcript: Complete this online form to request your official transcript: https://laurentian.ca/admissions/transcripts 
   • Digital photo: Format here
   • Client information (optional): You may include an explanation letter if applicable.
8. Optional Documents:
   • Letter of Explanation (client information): Include this if there are any issues you would like to clarify or that may be useful to the officer in assessing your application.
   • Schedule 1: Application for Temporary Residence IMM 5257B form. The document is required only if you answer “yes” to any of the following questions: 3,4,5 or 6 in the “Background Information” section of the IMM 5709 form.
   • If you have been studying in Canada for the past 12 months, you do not need proof of medicals unless:
     • You have lived in a designated country or territory for more than six months in the past 12 months — or
     • You would like to work in a job that will bring you into close contact with patients, children, etc. Check here to see if you require a medical exam. If you need a medical exam, it must be conducted by an IRCC approved panel physician.

If your application is approved, the IRCC will mail the co-op work permit to your mailing address.

Learn more about co-ops and internships