Visas/permits outside of Canada and the U.S.

Photo from below of airplane in the sky in downtown area

Each country requires its own visas/permits to work within their country. If you will be working outside of North America for your work abroad term, you can find the visa/permit information for your work abroad experience by contacting that country’s local embassy or consulate. The consulate can provide you with accurate information about the type of visa/permit you will require, and details about how long the application process will take. 

Please note: Ensure that you have the necessary documentation required by your work abroad destination. The international employment specialist cannot provide immigration advice or arrange documentation on your behalf. Please connect with your employer and/or the employment country to obtain documentation. If you cannot obtain the necessary documentation in time to start your work term, you must find an alternate co-op opportunity.

Some visa applications require documentation stating that you are participating in a mandatory co-op work term. Our team can provide various letters of support if needed as part of the job application or visa/permit process: 

  • Letter of introduction: introduces co-op to international employers who might not be familiar with our system of education; you can include this in application packages to help add legitimacy to your application 
  • Work term introduction letter: used when employers want written confirmation of your work term from the university before they extend an offer letter. 
  • Letter of support: used when you require written confirmation of your approved work term – this is only available once your work term is visible in WaterlooWorks, and is typically used for immigration purposes 

How to request a letter of support 

  • Visit WaterlooWorks and select "Submit a form". 
  • Select from the category: International. 
  • Select subcategory: Letter of support – various requirements for work terms outside of Canada and USA (5029). 

Frequently asked questions

What are the first steps after securing a job abroad?
  • If you found your own job abroad, you will need to submit an Arrange own job form to get it approved. Ensure your job is in an approved location, and meets standard/flex work term requirements. 
  • Please review the Global Affairs Canada (GAC) advisory policy and our travel advisory guidelines before arranging an international work term. 
  • Once your job is approved, or you are matched with an international job on WaterlooWorks, you can start your visa application. Speak with your employer to see if they have information about the visa process and required documentation. Contact the consulate for the country you will be working in to make sure you are applying for the proper visa pathway. 

Can Waterloo help arrange my visa for my international (outside of Canada/USA) work term?

The international employment specialist can answer general questions, but they are not immigration consultants. We recommend contacting the consulate for the most up-to-date and accurate information related to visa/immigration processes. Visa processes may vary for each person and employment contract. Do your research before booking flights, housing, etc.   

Can I get an unpaid job abroad?
  • International opportunities can be different than jobs in Canada or the United States, depending on local labour guidelines, remuneration standards and employment culture.  
  • All international positions should be compensated for according to local market standards. We will consider unpaid positions when it is not the practice to pay students in that geographic area or industry, but usually require these jobs to have some form of remuneration (food plan, local transit pass, subsidized housing, subsidized flights, etc.). 
  • Students should negotiate for some form of compensation for their work (e.g., salary, permit fees, subsidized flights, accommodation, meals, local travel, etc.). 
  • See additional Unpaid guidelines 
  • Co-op students on an unpaid work term in Ontario are considered unpaid learners by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU), and may be eligible for compensation in the event of a workplace injury.  
  • Coverage is not provided for international students who are on work placement outside of Canada and the work placement occurs in the student’s home country. 
  • For more information on insurance for students on unpaid work terms, visit the Safety Office's website or contact your co-op advisor.  

What is a legal authorization/employment authorization/visa/permit?

A legal authorization, employment authorization, visa and permits are all terms for legal documents that grant a non-citizen permission to conduct the activities necessary for a work term in another country. 

Typically, they are an endorsement made by an authorized representative of one country upon a passport issued by another and permit the passport holder entry into the country for the intended purpose of the work term (typically in the form of a stamp or sticker in your passport). 

Do I need a permit/visa?

Unless you have a valid passport in the country of employment, you’ll need a valid permit/visa to complete your work term in another country.

Who pays for your visa/permit?

You should discuss with your employer to arrange who will pay the fees associated with obtaining the required work visas/permits. Sometimes students pay and sometimes your employer will pay.

How long does it take to get an employment authorization (visa/permit) or passport?

The processing time is typically four to eight weeks but can take several months and varies by country. The sooner you apply, the sooner you’ll receive your legal documents.