Non-Canadian residents must have a work permit to work in Canada legally, meaning the University cannot hire a postdoc who does not have a valid work permit. The Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC) work permit approval must be obtained before coming to Waterloo to begin the postdoc position. As a work permit can only be issued at the Port of Entry as the postdoc is entering Canada, postdocs are unable to start a position until they arrive in Canada and are not allowed to be hired remotely prior to their arrival.
As such, it is important for prospective international candidates to be aware of immigration requirements and timelines for their country to arrange for a realistic start date. Here are a few things you can do ahead of time to prepare and understand the process:
- Obtain a valid passport – a valid passport is required to apply for a work permit, so it is recommended to start the process of obtaining a valid passport early to avoid causing delays in your ability to apply for your work permit once you receive an offer.
- Confirm current processing times – review the processing times on the official IRCC website to ensure you have accurate information about processing times in your country. Please note that this processing time begins once all your paperwork has been received by IRCC, including your proof of degree completion for your PhD.
Once you receive a formal or informal offer for a postdoc position, Legal and Immigration Services will be able to provide additional support and advice related to your specific situation. You can find general information for postdocs on their website or contact them at lis-imm@uwaterloo.ca. Please note that advice cannot be provided until an offer has been made.