The following scenarios outline how Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's (IRCC) policies regarding working as a full-time student relate to the University of Waterloo's enrolment rules. These are some scenarios of degree-required and non-degree required work terms – for more information about general work conditions in Canada, please refer to the above tabs
Please note:
- There may be serious consequences if you incorrectly change your enrolment status and fail to abide by the IRCC's regulations. For example, IRCC may take enforcement action and/or your future applications may be negatively impacted, such as a refused study permit, post-graduation work permit or permanent residency application.
- It is important to remain registered full-time. Post-graduation work permit eligibility requires continuous full-time study except for part-time registration in your final academic term.
- If you still hold a valid open work permit that was obtained prior to starting your studies at Waterloo and you want to use it to work more than the study permit regulations allow, please speak with one of our immigration consultants.
Your University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) will continue in all the scenarios. Contact Student Financial Services for more information about your specific situation.
- Degree-required work term in Canada
- Degree-required work term outside of Canada
- Employment through MITACS or NSERC
- Employment that is not degree-required
- Self-selecting as inactive
1. DEGREE-REQUIRED WORK TERM IN CANADA
If your degree includes required work term(s) that you are completing in Canada, then one of the following two scenarios apply to your ability to work on the co-op work permit.
Scenario A: Internship or practicum
What you need:
- A valid post-secondary study permit
- A valid co-op work permit
- A Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- If you hold a valid study permit for a different university, submit a DLI transfer and apply for a Waterloo co-op work permit within Canada
- Apply to change your enrolment status to full-time off campus
Limitations on hours:
- You can work full-time hours at your internship or practicum.
- In addition to your full-time internship or practicum, you can also work off campus for another employer. You're limited to 20 hours per week. Also, your study permit has to have the R186(v) work condition stated. If the internship or practicum is during the fall term, you can also work full-time during the University holiday closure in December.
Scenario B: Co-op
What you need:
- Current registration in a co-op program
- A valid post-secondary study permit
- A valid co-op work permit
- A Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- If you hold a valid study permit for a different university, submit a DLI transfer and apply for a Waterloo co-op work permit within Canada
- Apply to change your enrolment status to co-op
Limitations on hours:
- You can work full-time hours at your co-op job.
- In addition to your full-time co-op, you can also work off campus for another employer. You're limited to 20 hours per week. Also, your study permit has to have the R186(v) work condition stated. If the co-op is during the fall term, you can also work full-time during the University holiday closure in December.
In accordance with the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar, you can also work an average of 10 hours per week on campus. Your study permit has to have the R186(f) work condition stated. You can work more on-campus hours, up to a maximum average of 20 hours per week, if you obtain approval from your supervisor or graduate officer/program director if you do not have a supervisor.
2. DEGREE-REQUIRED WORK TERM OUTSIDE OF CANADA
If your degree includes required work term(s) that you are going to complete outside of Canada, then the following scenario applies to your ability to work.
What you need:
- A valid post-secondary study permit and temporary resident visa (TRV) or eTA are required for your return to Canada
- You are responsible for obtaining country specific work authorization (Contact the embassy, diplomatic mission, or consulate in Canada that represents the country in which you want to work)
- If you are in a co-op program, and completing a degree-required co-op work term abroad, apply to change your enrolment status to co-op
- If you are completing a degree-required internship or practicum abroad, apply to change your enrolment status to full-time off campus
Limitations on hours:
- You can work full-time hours
3. EMPLOYMENT THROUGH MITACS OR NSERC
Scenario A: Off-campus employment in Canada
What you need:
Limitations on hours:
- You can work up to 20 hours per week off campus and, depending on the term, full-time hours off campus during Fall and Winter Reading Weeks, and the University holiday closure in December. Your study permit has to have the R186(v) work condition stated.
- In accordance with the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar, you can also work an average of 10 hours per week on campus. Your study permit has to have the R186(f) work condition stated. You can work more on-campus hours, up to a maximum average of 20 hours per week, if you obtain approval from your supervisor or graduate officer/program director if you do not have a supervisor.
Scenario B: Employment outside of Canada
What you need:
Limitations on hours:
- You can work full-time hours
Scenario C: Employment on campus (NSERC CREATE)
What you need:
- A valid post-secondary study permit
- A Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Enrolment status does not change, stays as full-time student
Limitations on hours:
- In accordance with the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar, you can work an average of 10 hours per week on campus. Your study permit has to have the R186(f) work condition stated. You can work more on-campus hours, up to a maximum average of 20 hours per week, if you obtain approval from your supervisor or graduate officer/program director if you do not have a supervisor.
- You can also work up to an additional 10 hours per week on campus toward this program.
You can also work up to 20 hours per week off campus and, depending on the term, full-time hours off campus during Fall and Winter Reading Week, and the University holiday closure in December. Your study permit has to have the R186(v) work condition stated.
4. EMPLOYMENT THAT IS NOT DEGREE-REQUIRED
Even if you do not have a degree-required work component in your program, the scenarios below indicate other opportunities to work on a study permit.
Scenario A: Off-campus employment in Canada related to your thesis or academic program
What you need:
Limitations on hours:
- You can work up to 20 hours per week off campus and, depending on the term, full-time hours off campus during Fall and Winter Reading Weeks, and the University holiday closure in December. Your study permit has to have the R186(v) work condition stated.
- In accordance with the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar, you can also work an average of 10 hours per week on campus. Your study permit has to have the R186(f) work condition stated. You can work more on-campus hours, up to a maximum average of 20 hours per week, if you obtain approval from your supervisor or graduate officer/program director if you do not have a supervisor.
Scenario B: Employment outside of Canada related to your thesis or academic program
What you need:
Limitations on hours:
- You can work full-time hours
Scenario C: On-campus employment related to your thesis
What you need:
- A valid post-secondary study permit
- A Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Full-time enrolment status; however, if it is your last term of your degree, you can apply to change your status to part-time as long as all your other terms have been full-time
Limitations on hours:
- Graduate research studentships (GRS) are usually paid from research scholarships and grants, where you also receive support to work on your own thesis research, with no limitation on hours.
- In accordance with the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar, you can also work an average of 10 hours per week on campus. Your study permit has to have the R186(f) work condition stated. You can work more on-campus hours, up to a maximum average of 20 hours per week, if you obtain approval from your supervisor or graduate officer/program director if you do not have a supervisor.
- You can also work up to 20 hours per week off campus and, depending on the term, full-time hours off campus during Fall and Winter Reading Weeks, and the University holiday closure in December. Your study permit has to have the R186(v) work condition stated.
Scenario D: Employment in Canada not related to your thesis or academic program
What you need:
- A valid post-secondary study permit
- A Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Full-time enrolment status; however, if it is your last term of your degree, you can apply to change your status to part-time as long as all your other terms have been full-time
Limitations on hours:
- In accordance with the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar, you can work an average of 10 hours per week on campus. Your study permit has to have the R186(f) work condition stated. You can work more on-campus hours, up to a maximum average of 20 hours per week, if you obtain approval from your supervisor or graduate officer/program director if you do not have a supervisor.
- You can also work up to 20 hours per week off campus and, depending on the term, full-time hours off campus during Fall and Winter Reading Weeks, and the University holiday closure in December. Your study permit has to have the R186(v) work condition stated.
5. SELF-SELECTING AS INACTIVE
Waterloo's graduate level programs are intensive and do not have regularly scheduled terms off. Changing your enrolment to inactive means that you are taking a leave of absence from your degree. Students who have been granted inactive status will have limited access to university services while on leave and are not expected to study or conduct research and should not expect supervisor access. It is very important to check with Graduate Studies and Post-Doctoral Affairs (GSPA) for all the details.
As an international graduate student taking an inactive term inside or outside of Canada, you would not meet the eligibility requirements to apply for the post-graduation work permit. R220.1(1) in the Immigration, Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) explains that a study permit holder shall actively pursue studies and must remain enrolled until completion of studies; therefore an inactive term could also impact future study permit extensions due to non-compliance.
Please meet with one of our immigration consultants to discuss any concerns you have regarding immigration implications, future applications, or to discuss your individual personal circumstances.
Scenario A: Inactive status for medical or personal reasons
What you need:
- Apply to change your enrolment status to inactive
- IRCC says a leave from studies should not exceed 150 days. If the leave is going to be longer than 150 days, before day 150, you need to either apply for visitor status in Canada or leave Canada until you're ready to study again
Limitations on hours:
- You cannot legally work on or off campus in Canada on a study permit, co-op work permit, or previous employer-specific work permit
Scenario B: Employment in Canada that is not a degree requirement nor related to your thesis or academic program, and you already hold the post-graduation work permit
What you need:
- An applicable valid work permit
- A valid post-secondary study permit
- A Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Apply to change your enrolment status to inactive
Limitations on hours:
- You can work full-time hours
Scenario C: Employment outside of Canada that is not a degree requirement nor related to your thesis or academic program, and you already hold the post-graduation work permit
What you need:
Limitations on hours:
- You can work full-time hours