Working abroad is an exciting opportunity. Before embarking on a work term abroad, please ensure that you meet all the necessary requirements to ensure you receive credit for your work term outside of Canada.
Be sure to complete the following requirements:
1. Check your eligibility
Required Documentation
- You must have a valid passport, with an expiration date of at least six months beyond the end of your work term.
- You must be eligible to obtain a valid work permit or visa, or have pre-existing work authorization for your destination country (e.g. if you are a resident/citizen).
- International students on a study permit in Canada: your Canadian study permit must be valid for the duration of the work term.
Enrolment Status
- You must be enrolled in full-time degree studies, including the term before your international work term. If you are enrolled part-time, off, or have an unemployed work term for any reason (e.g. due to unemployment or renege), your visa application may be denied.
- Some countries may require that you complete one to two years of post-secondary experience before undertaking an international work term. Verify these requirements in your destination country.
- International students pursuing U.S. work terms: As per guidance from the U.S. Consulate, international students should complete at least two full-time academic study terms before applying for a work term in the U.S.
Other requirements
- Most countries require that students be 18 years of age or older to work on a work permit or visa. If you have pre-existing work authorization for your destination country (e.g. if you are resident/citizen), please review applicable employment laws.
- Do not have a criminal record.
2. Ensure your destination is approved
Before arranging a job abroad, you must be aware of the overall level of security risk for the country of employment. Work term credit approval depends on the travel advisory risk level assigned to the country where your job is located. Find more information about travel advisories.
Please note: The locations of jobs posted in WaterlooWorks on the co-op board have been pre-approved by Waterloo.
3. Complete your risk management form
As soon as you have an international job offer or match, complete the risk management form in WaterlooWorks.
How to complete the form in WaterlooWorks:
- In the navigation bar click Submit a form.
- Select International from the Category menu.
- Select risk management form - USA (5005) or Risk management form - Outside Canada and USA (5004) from the sub category menu.
- Complete the form and click Submit.
4. Complete your co-op work term readiness training
Log into LEARN and open the 'Co-op work term readiness training’ course. The course provides important information and is required to work abroad. You are automatically enrolled in the course when your work abroad term is approved. You may need to click the 'ALL' button and use the arrows to find the course.
You must complete this training prior to leaving for your work term abroad.
Mandatory actions to receive credit for your work term:
- Achieve an 80% mark on the training course to pass and,
- Agree to the conditions in acknowledgement of liability form in the course.
If you have any questions about the training, contact an international employment specialist.
5. Access the Anvil Group's Threat and Risk Intelligence Service
The Anvil Group is Waterloo’s official international travel safety and security provider. It is mandatory that you are registered with the Anvil Group to access Threat and Risk Intelligence Service (TRIS) as well as the Anvil app, which provides travel alerts and advisories.
Once your work term record is visible in WaterlooWorks, we will automatically provide Waterloo’s Safety Abroad office with your information to register your work term with the Anvil Group. This information will include your name, student ID, email, job, city and country of employment.
Use your userid@uwaterloo.ca email and WatIAM password to log in to the Anvil Group portal. If there are any issues with the app or the Anvil Group email safetyabroad@uwaterloo.ca.
6. Update your contact and emergency contact details
Once your job is approved and reflected in WaterlooWorks, the Emergency contact and location information tab (formerly My contact and travel info) will be available to you. Upon arrival at your destination, please update the address and phone number of where you will be living during your work term (not your address in Canada or your work address).
In case of an emergency, please keep the Emergency contact and location information and work-term details tabs of your WaterlooWorks work term record up to date throughout your work term. You should also sign into Quest and follow the instructions to update your personal information on Quest.