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Immigration

 

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

Study and work permit holders from visa-exempt countries who received their permit on or before July 31, 2015 will have to get an eTA as of March 15, 2016 to return to Canada. Do not wait until the last minute – apply now for an eTA. Once you have an eTA, it will be valid for five years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.  Applicants who get their study or work permit on or after August 1, 2015 will automatically be issued an eTA along with their permit.

 

 

Get a student work permit

It is possible to work in Canada while you are here as a student. In some cases, you will need to apply for a student work permit.

 

Work off campus

Find information about working off campus while you study in Canada.

Work as a co-op or intern

For some academic programs, work experience is part of the curriculum. international students who wish to participate in a co-op or internship program must apply for a work permit as well as a study permit.

 

To be eligible for a work permit, you must meet the following requirements:

  • You must have a valid study permit.

  • Your intended employment must be an essential part of your program of study in Canada.

  • Your employment must be part of your academic, vocational or professional training program offered by the college, certified by a letter from a responsible academic official of the institution.

  • Your co-op or internship employment cannot form more than 50% (percent) of the total program of study.

Changing institution at the post-secondary level

If you are thinking about changing your institution or your program, you need to make sure that you meet the conditions of your study permit on an ongoing basis. This includes the requirements to be enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI) and to be actively pursuing your studies while you are in Canada.

If you applied for a study permit to attend a post-secondary institution after June 1, 2014, you must notify Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) via your MyCIC account every time you change institutions. You are not required to apply for a new study permit when changing institutions that are at the same level of study (e.g., from a college to a university).

 

For example, you must notify CIC if you submit a letter of acceptance from the University of Ottawa when you apply for your study permit but then transfer to Carleton University once you arrive in Canada.

 

You are not required to notify CIC when you change institution if:

  • you applied for a study permit prior to June 1, 2014;

  • you were issued a study permit to attend an institution at the primary or secondary level; or

  • you obtained a study permit as the family member of a study or work permit holder (i.e., you were not required to submit a letter of acceptance when applying for a study permit).

Get step-by-step instructions on how to notify CIC that you have changed DLI’s using your MyCIC account.

 

BCID

If you do not have a driver's licence, you can get a B.C. Identification Card (BCID) to use as identification.

 

If you are under 19, you must get consent from a parent or legal guardian to get a BCID. They will need to accompany you to the driver licensing office.

 

To apply:

 

Social Insurance Number

The Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a nine-digit number that you need to work in Canada or to have access to government programs and benefits.

 

International students in Canada may work on or off campus without a work permit if they meet the eligibility requirements of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). Students are required by law to provide their Social Insurance Number (SIN) within three (3) days after the day on which their employment begins.

 

Each SIN is issued to one person only. It cannot legally be used by anyone else. You are responsible for protecting your SIN. Store any document containing your SIN and personal information in a safe place. Don’t keep it with you.  Click here to protect your SIN,

 

Service Canada requires individuals to apply in-person. By doing so, if your application is in order, you can obtain your SIN in less than 15 minutes and do not need to part with your original proof of identity documents.There is no fee to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN).

 

To apply for your SIN, please visit a Service Canada Centre with your original proof of identity documents:

  • a study permit issued by CIC that indicates the permit holder “may accept employment” or “may work” in Canada; or

  • a study permit and a “confirmation to work off campus” letter issued by CIC prior to February 6, 2015.

 

If neither of these requirements is met, you may contact CIC to verify if you are eligible to apply for an amended study permit. For more information about working while studying in Canada, visit the CIC website or call the CIC Call Centre at 1-888-242-2100 FREE.

Stay in Canada after graduation

 

Learn how you can stay in Canada as a permanent resident or find work after you graduate from school.

To work in Canada after you graduate, you must apply for a work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP). If you want to stay in Canada as a permanent resident after you graduate, there are a number of programs available, each with its own requirements.

 

Get a post-graduation work permit

The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) allows students who have graduated from a participating Canadian post-secondary institution to gain valuable Canadian work experience. Skilled Canadian work experience gained through the PGWPP helps graduates qualify for permanent residence in Canada through the Express Entry.

 

A work permit under the PGWPP may be issued for the length of the study program, up to a maximum of three years. A post-graduation work permit cannot be valid for longer than the student’s study program, and the study program must be a minimum of eight months in length. For example, if you graduate from a four-year degree program, you could be eligible for a three-year work permit if you meet the criteria. If you graduate from an eight-month certificate program, you would be eligible for a work permit that is valid for no more than eight months.

 

It is important to note that when you apply for the Post Graduation Work Permit you should have continuously studied full time in Canada. Applicants must apply for a work permit within 90 days of receiving written confirmation (for example, a transcript or an official letter) from the educational institution indicating that they have met the requirements for completing their program of study. Calculation of the 90 days begins the day when the student’s final marks are issued or when formal written notification of program completion is received.

 

 

Immigrate to Canada

 

Express Entry

It is a new system to manage how people with skilled work experience apply to immigrate to Canada. 

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