Work In Canada While You Study

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) permits students to work in Canada while they study, provided they have a study permit that specifies the condition saying they are allowed to work on- or off-campus and they meet the following requirements:

• You’re a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI)
• You’re enrolled in a post-secondary academic, vocational or professional training program
• Your study program is at least 6 months long and leads to a degree, diploma or certificate
• You’ve started studying
• You have a social insurance number (SIN)

A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a 9 digit number that the Government of Canada gives you. With this number, you can work in Canada and access or receive government benefits and services.

To apply for a SIN to work on campus, you must have one of these conditions printed on your study permit:

• May accept employment on or off campus if meeting eligibility criteria as per R186(f), (v) or (w). Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.
• This permit does not authorize the holder to engage in off campus employment in Canada. May accept employment only on campus if meeting eligibility criteria as per R186(f). Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.

If you’re eligible to work on campus, but don't have either of these conditions on your study permit, you can ask to have them added by requesting an amendment to your study permit. There’s no fee to add these conditions to your permit.

To apply, you will need:

• Your valid study permit with one of the above conditions printed on it
• Your passport
• Your proof of Canadian residence

You can take these documents in-person to Service Canada in Regina, or apply online once you arrive in Regina.

Individual Tax Numbers (ITN) are sometimes needed for international students in Canada who are not eligible for a Social Insurance Number (SIN). This unique number is used by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to identify you for the purpose of filing taxes in Canada. You may need to apply for an ITN if one or more of the following apply to you: 

• You are studying in Canada on a short-term basis (e.g., exchange, visiting researcher, visiting scholar, etc.)
• You are not eligible for a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
• You need to access funds provided through federally-funded scholarship programs
• You need to access funds provided by the University of Regina
• You need to file taxes in Canada

Depending on your situation, you may need a combination of supporting documents to prove your eligibility and need of an ITN. The list below provides an overview of potential documents that may be required:

• Your passport
• Your visitor record (if applicable)
• Your temporary resident visa (if applicable)
• Your letter of acceptance to the University of Regina
• Your confirmation of enrolment
• Your scholarship, award, or funding letter

Once you have your supporting documents, you can download the application form, print it, and fill it out. Once your application package, including all supporting documents, is prepared, you will mail your application to the Sudbury Tax Centre using the address listed on the application form.

It's recommended to submit your application as soon as possible after arriving in Canada since the processing time can take up to eight weeks.

International students who are employed on campus are required to submit a Declaration of Eligibility to Work on Campus (DEWC) form. This form indicates that you understand, and meet, all criteria and eligibility to work on campus and must be reviewed by UR International Student Services before your employment begins.

Important: Failure to submit the required documentation will result in delays in obtaining letters of employment, as well as payment.

Step 1: Provide electronic copies of the following documents to International.StudentServices@uregina.ca:

• A clear copy of your current, valid study permit
• A clear copy of your current, valid passport
• A signed Declaration of Eligibility to Work On Campus (DEWC) Form (PDF)
  • Only one (1) letter is required per semester regardless of the number of on-campus employment opportunities

Step 2: Maintain your full-time student status and continuously meet your registration requirements according to your level of study.

There are different avenues that students can take in their programs that allow them to gain work experience as part of their post-secondary education.

You need to apply for a Co-op Work Permit if you have one of the following work opportunities that is integral to your academic program:

• Co-op work term
• Practicum
• Internship
• Work Placement
• Fieldwork

UR International and the Centre for Experiential and Service Learning (CESL) offer joint workshops to help you navigate the application process, however, it's important to note that processing times for Co-op Work Permits can take several months to process, so ensure to apply early. Our workshops will be posted to our Event Calendar.

After you've completed your studies, there are pathways and opportunities for you to remain in Canada and work through the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP). This work permit may be issued for up to three (3) years and is an open work permit that you can use to gain additional Canadian work experience that may help you qualify for permanent residence.

We recommend taking a moment to review the eligibility criteria on the IRCC website so you can make informed decisions when it comes to planning your academic pathway.