Working in Canada

Throughout the year, the ISO regularly holds information sessions about proper work-related immigration documentation. Check out our information session!

Your responsabilities as an international student

You are responsible for maintaining your immigration status and obeying immigration regulations during your stay in Canada.
You must maintain full-time status throughout your studies:
- Undergraduate students
- Graduate students
Always verify that your immigration documents (passport, CAQ, study permit, TRV or ETA) are accurate and still valid. NOTE: Your CAQ and study permit do NOT always have the same expiry date.
Upload your immigration as soon as you get them or submit them in person at the ISO.
Keep your contact information in your student service centre up to date as ISO may contact you with regards to your immigration documents.

Work while you are a student

WORK ON-CAMPUS

International Students are eligible to work on the campus of their educational institution as long as they hold a valid Study Permit and are registered full-time during a regular academic semester (fall/winter). Jobs are available in many different departments on campus such as in labs, cafeterias, gyms, etc.

If you are interested in working on campus please visit the jobs on campus page, which includes a list of departments that employ students.

Graduate students are encouraged to check with their department concerning employment possibilities. They could be hired as a teaching assistant, or a research assistant. They can also apply to work as exam invigilators.

As per IRCC regulations there is no maximum hour limit to full-time work. However provincial laws must be followed by the employer in relation to overtime and other benefits. You can refer to Labour Standards in Quebec for more information.

Undergraduate and graduate students may be eligible for the Work Study Program offered by the Financial Aid and Awards Office. The Work Study Program is designed to assist full-time Concordia University students, who are in financial need, to pursue their academic goals by providing part-time employment on campus (maximum 200 hours per term). Visit the Work Study website for more details and to find out if you are eligible to apply.

WORK OFF-CAMPUS

A Study Permit may allow you to work off campus as well. Your Study Permit must be valid. You must be registered as a full-time student and be studying in an academic program that leads to a degree, diploma or certificate that is at least six months in duration at a Designated Learning Institution (Concordia University is a Designated Learning Institution). You will be allowed to work for up to 24 hours per week during the academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks without the need to apply for a separate work permit.

Your study permit MUST state:

Student may accept employment on or off-campus if meeting eligibility criteria as per R186 (f), (v) or (w).

If your study permit does not mention the above information, please come by the ISO and meet with an advisor who will be happy to explain how to ask for an amendment.

As per IRCC regulations there is no maximum hour limit to full-time work during regular scheduled breaks. However provincial laws must be followed by the employer in relation to overtime and other benefits. You can refer to Labour Standards in Quebec for more information.

CO-OP WORK AND INTERNSHIPS

International students who participate in a co-op or internship program as part of your academic curriculum offered by a DLI (Designated Learning Institution) in Canada must apply for a co-op work permit.

Depending on the conditions of the work term authorized by the DLI, the co-op work permit allows international students to work full-time during the semester. The co-op work permit is required regardless of whether the mandatory work term is on or off campus, paid or unpaid and regardless of the number of work hours involved.

The co-op work permit is a closed work permit: it can only be used for one job and one employer. Concordia University will be the employer designated on the work permit.

The co-op work permit will be issued for a specific time period as authorized by the coordinator of the students' co-op work placement. The validity period of the work permit usually coincides with the validity period of the study permit.

To apply for your co-op work permit log in to your IRCC account: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-coop.asp and choose “Apply for Visitor visa, study and/or work permit”. Follow the prompts and complete the questionnaire to generate your personal checklist, which should include the following:

IMM 5710 — this form is embedded within the online application. Complete, validate and save the form locally onto your computer then upload to your online application. Do not sign this form as you will be asked to provide a digital signature once you are ready to transmit your online application.

NOTE:
When completing the application questions regarding Details of Intended Work in Canada - questions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, leave them blank. These questions do not apply to you.

Required documents:

Digital Photo: must be in colour, 35 mm x 45 mm, JPEG, refer to online specifications.
Scan of passport pages clearly showing the passport number, the dates of issue and expiry, name and date of birth, the stamp made by the Canadian authorities on your most recent entry into Canada and any other (Entry/Exit) marked pages.
Letter from the Institute for Co-operative Education.
Proof of Medical Exam* (only if applicable)
Once all the above documents are uploaded, you will sign the application electronically.
Payment of 85$ for biometrics**

There is no application fee for the co-op work permit.

APPLY ONLINE FOR YOUR CO-OP WORK PERMIT

Medical Exams*
You will need a medical examination if you plan to work in an occupation that requires a medical exam. You can check the list at: canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/medical-police/medical-exams/requirements-temporary-residents.html#jobs

Ask your doctor for a document confirming that you underwent a medical exam and include this document with your application.

Biometrics**
As of December 3, 2019, you need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) if you’re applying within Canada for your Study permit extension or your Temporary Resident Visa. It is not required if in the past 10 years you have given biometrics for an application to come to Canada.

Once you have submitted the application you will receive a notification requesting you to complete the biometrics. If you do not complete this requirement within 30 days then your application will be refused.

For more information please visit:
cic.gc.ca/english/visit/biometrics.asp

No. Your Co-op Work Permit has been issued for academic purposes only – work that is essential to your degree program.

You must apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
You will receive a Co-op Work Permit that will be valid for the period of time needed to complete the work component for your study program. Note the work permit will not be issued beyond the validity of your study permit.

All persons working in Canada require a SIN (Social Insurance Number).

Apply in person at Service Canada Centre nearest you, locations are listed on the Service Canada website: servicecanada.gc.ca/tbsc-fsco/sc-hme.jsp
Apply online at canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/sin/apply.html

Co-op work permit: Watch our video step-by-step tutorial

WORKPLACE TOURS

Prepare for the Canadian workforce by visiting signature Montreal-based companies!

Integrating the job market is often challenging for students, particularly international students. To help prepare for this transition, the International students Office and the Student Success Centre have partenered to offer an inside view of the Canadian workplace culture, all while developing networking skills for the future.

This program is currently on hold but should return shortly.

For further information on work while studying, please see the Canada Immigration website.

Work after you graduate

YOU GRADUATED FROM A BACHELOR'S MASTER'S OR PHD DEGREE

Please note that IRCC published a new policy regarding PGWP eligibility effective November 1st, 2024.

If you have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree, you remain eligible for the PGWP, but must now provide language test results.

Please find below the instructions to apply for the PGWP and the documents required. You will also find a video tutorial on how to generate the application and fill out the application form.

You must be in possession of a valid study permit at the time of your application for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
You must have completed and passed your program of study and be eligible to receive your degree, diploma or certificate.
You must have maintained full-time status throughout your studies.
You must apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit within 90 days of receiving your final grades.
You must obtain a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or Niveau de Compétence Linguistique Canadiens (NCLC) 7 in French in all 4 areas.

Please know that you must have applied for graduation before requesting the documents for the PGWP. Apply to graduate.

Unofficial transcript - Follow the instructions listed on here Unofficial transcript request form*

Allow up to 3 business days for delivery of your transcript.
A $5.65 (CAD) fee will be charged to your account.

*Please note that you must login to Concordia Office 365 to submit your transcript request. Instructions can be found on Office 365 Education - students.

* You must submit an unofficial transcript issued by the Birks Student Center with the university stamp on it. The Student Record that you download yourself from your student account is not acceptable.

Completion of Degree Letter - Complete the request here: http://registrar.concordia.ca/degree-letter-request*

Please allow up to 10 business days for delivery of your letter.
A $20 (CAD) fee will be charged to your account for any letter request.

*Please note that you must login to Concordia Office 365 to submit your request. Instructions can be found on Office 365 Education - students.

Letter of Attestation - Complete the request here: https://www.concordia.ca/students/your-sis/attestation-letter.html

Select ‘instantaneous letter’. You must add each term manually. Note that the attestation letter must list all your past, present, and future terms for which enrollment has opened and indicate your full or part-time status in each term. Also include ‘remaining credits to complete’. The letter must also state your total number of credits to date.
A $20 (CAD) fee will be charged to your account.
If you have issues with the request process you can email the Birks Students Center at students@concordia.ca. Note that the letters are not issued by the ISO.

Proof of language ability - Your test results for either French or English that are less than 2 years old when you submit your application.

The acceptable tests are available here. Please note that the IELTS is offered at Concordia
You must obtain the results directly from the testing agency.

Biometrics (if applicable) - If you have previously done biometrics for a Canadian study permit or visa application in the last 10 years then you do not need to provide biometrics. If not, you will pay 85$ and will receive instructions to do the biometrics.

Proof of medical exam (if applicable) - You generally don’t need a medical exam unless you plan to work in certain jobs in which public health must be protected. Find out if you need a medical exam.

Log into or create your IRCC account.

Go to: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/account.html
Once you are logged in, select “Apply to come to Canada” ; A new page will open and you should choose the option “I do not have a Personal Reference Code” choose “Apply to come to Canada” and then select “Visitor visa, study and/or work permit” to determine your eligibility to apply online.

Complete the online questionnaire to generate your personal checklist and application.

Once your application is generated, you should see the following:

IMM5710 (PGWP) Complete the form, validate it and save it locally onto your computer. Upload the form onto your IRCC secure account.
Passport (scan & upload your passport, make sure you include the main page with all your information and any other pages that have entry/exit stamps)
Photo (scan & upload a recent photograph 35mm x 45mm)
Recent Education Transcript - this would be the Unofficial Transcript.
Completion of Studies Letter – here you will combine into one single PDF the Completion of Degree Letter and the Letter of Attestation
Proof of language ability is to be uploaded under "Optional Documents/Client Information"

Upload your documents and submit the application

Once the documents have been uploaded to your IRCC portal, you will be asked to review the application, sign it electronically, submit the application, and make a payment of 255$.

Watch this video tutorial below on how to generate the PGWP application and complete the application form.

Post-graduation work permit video tutorial

YOU GRADUATED FROM A CERTIFICATE OR DIPLOMA PROGRAM

Please note that IRCC published a new policy regarding PGWP eligibility effective November 1st, 2024.

If you have completed an undergraduate or graduate Certificate or Diploma program on the basis of a study permit applied for before November 1st, 2024, you remain eligible for the PGWP, but must now also provide language test results.

If you have completed a Certificate or Diploma program on the basis of a study permit applied for on or after November 1st, 2024, you are only eligible for the PGWP if your program was in one of the fields of study listed here. Only in this case, do you need to provide proof that your Certificate or Diploma falls under one of the fields of study listed by IRCC. You must also provide language test results.

Please find below the instructions to apply for the PGWP and the documents required. You will also find a video tutorial on how to generate the application and fill out the application form.

You must be in possession of a valid study permit at the time of your application for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
You must have completed and passed your program of study and be eligible to receive your degree, diploma or certificate.
You must have completed an undergraduate or graduate Certificate or Diploma program in one of the fields of study listed here.
You must have maintained full-time status throughout your studies.
You must apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit within 90 days of receiving your final grades.
You must obtain a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or Niveau de Compétence Linguistique Canadiens (NCLC) 7 in French in all 4 areas.

Please know that you must have applied for graduation before requesting the documents for the PGWP. Apply to graduate.

Unofficial transcript - Follow the instructions listed on here Unofficial transcript request form*

Allow up to 3 business days for delivery of your transcript.
A $5.65 (CAD) fee will be charged to your account.

*Please note that you must login to Concordia Office 365 to submit your transcript request. Instructions can be found on Office 365 Education - students.

Completion of Degree Letter - Complete the request here: http://registrar.concordia.ca/degree-letter-request*

Please allow up to 10 business days for delivery of your letter.
A $20 (CAD) fee will be charged to your account for any letter request.

*Please note that you must login to Concordia Office 365 to submit your request. Instructions can be found on Office 365 Education - students.

Letter of Attestation - Complete the request here: https://www.concordia.ca/students/your-sis/attestation-letter.html

Select ‘instantaneous letter’. You must add each term manually. Note that the attestation letter must list all your past, present, and future terms for which enrollment has opened and indicate your full or part-time status in each term. Also include ‘remaining credits to complete’. The letter must also state your total number of credits to date.
A $20 (CAD) fee will be charged to your account.
If you have issues with the request process you can email the Birks Students Center at students@concordia.ca. Note that the letters are not issued by the ISO.

Proof of language ability - Your test results for either French or English that are less than 2 years old when you submit your application.

The acceptable tests are available here. Please note that the IELTS is offered at Concordia
You must obtain the results directly from the testing agency.

Proof that your field of study is eligible for the PGWP - This only applies to those who completed a certificate or diploma program and who also applied for their original study permit on or after November 1st, 2024.

This document will be provided by the University. Please speak with your ISO advisor.

Log into or create your IRCC account.

Go to: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/account.html
Once you are logged in, select “Apply to come to Canada” ; A new page will open and you should choose the option “I do not have a Personal Reference Code” choose “Apply to come to Canada” and then select “Visitor visa, study and/or work permit” to determine your eligibility to apply online.

Complete the online questionnaire to generate your personal checklist and application.

Once your application is generated, you should see the following:

IMM5710 (PGWP) Complete the form, validate it and save it locally onto your computer. Upload the form onto your IRCC secure account.
Passport (scan & upload your passport, make sure you include the main page with all your information and any other pages that have entry/exit stamps)
Photo (scan & upload a recent photograph 35mm x 45mm)
Recent Education Transcript - this would be the Unofficial Transcript.
Completion of Studies Letter – here you will combine into one single PDF the Completion of Degree Letter and the Letter of Attestation
Proof of language ability is to be uploaded under "Optional Documents/Client Information"

Upload your documents and submit the application

Once the documents have been uploaded to your IRCC portal, you will be asked to review the application, sign it electronically, submit the application, and make a payment of 255$.

Watch this video tutorial below on how to generate the PGWP application and complete the application form.

Post-graduation work permit video tutorial

WORKING BEFORE AND AFTER YOU APPLIED FOR THE PGWP

You must stop working as soon as all of your credits and/or marks appear on your student record.

You can only resume working once you have applied for the PGWP if you meet these two conditions:

You have applied for the PGWP from inside of Canada, and
Your study permit is still valid at the time that you apply. In addition, please note that your study permit is valid only for 90 days once all of your credits appear on your transcript or when it expires, whichever comes first.

From the date you have applied for the PGWP you can start working full-time as per IRCC regulations.

AFTER YOU OBTAIN YOUR PGWP

Once your PGWP has been approved and you have received the hard copy of the PGWP you need to do the following:

Update Service Canada for your S.I.N as you now have a PGWP and your current S.I.N. has likely expired or will expire shortly.
Apply for the RAMQ (Quebec Medical coverage) if you will be residing in Quebec.
If applicable, apply for a Temporary resident visa (TRV) if you wish to be able to travel and re-enter Canada. See instructions on our Renewing your Immigration Documents page, under Renewing your TRV as a worker (PGWP).

APPLYING FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCY

The ISO does not advise on permanent residency matters.

This said, both Immigration Québec and Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada regularly offer in-person or virtual information sessions on applying for a CSQ and/or Permanent Residency.

Please check our events calendar frequently to find out when the next sessions will be available.

Information for employers

As per IRCC rules, regulation R 186 (v) allows international students to work off-campus during their studies, the details of how this would apply to Concordia University students are explained below.

For Concordia students, the Fall and the Winter terms are considered regular terms, which means that students are limited to working off-campus a maximum of 20 hours per week as long as they are registered full-time time with the exception of the final term where they do not have to be registered full time. The Summer term is considered as a non-regular term and students are allowed to work off-campus full-time if the student maintains a full-time status before and after the Summer term.

International students are allowed to work off-campus full-time during scheduled breaks (periods where no classes are offered) such as:

August 20, 2024 to September 2, 2024 (for those whose 1st term was Summer 2024)
October 14, 2024 to October 20, 2024 (Fall Reading Week)
December 19, 2024 to January 12, 2025 (Holiday break)
February 24, 2025 to March 2, 2025 (Winter Reading Week)

Additionally, Summer 2025, which runs from May 5, 2024 to September 1, 2025, can be deemed as a scheduled break for most, but not all students, if you meet the following requirements:

- If you were registered full-time the semester before (Winter 2025) and the semester after the summer (Fall 2025). The only exception to the requirement to be full-time in Fall 2025 is if Fall 2025 is your last term.

- If, and only if, according to your program requirements, summer is not considered a required term

- If your study permit mentions the following:
May accept employment on or off campus if meeting eligibility criteria as per R186(F), (V) or (W).

PhD students and Students in a Masters thesis based program are not allowed to work full-time during the Summer term as this is a required term. Please consult your ISO advisor for more information

The above information is on the IRCC website.
If you would like to have a proof of enrollment letter with the term dates and the start of the program dates, please ask the student to provide you with a letter of attestation. Also the information about the end date of the program is indicated on the offer of admission that was provided to the student when they were admitted to Concordia University.

If you have further questions please do not hesitate to contact us at iso@concordia.ca

Student Hub