Working in Canada

On- & off-campus work

You need to be a full-time student at UVic to legally work on or off campus. You must also have started your program of study before you can begin working.

Full-time definitions at UVic

The definition of full-time studies is different for undergraduate students and graduate students.

• if you are registered with the UVic Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL), consult with your CAL adviser to confirm the full-time definition based on your academic accommodations
• the definition of full-time enrolment used for scholarships, bursaries, student loans and external providers may differ from the full-time definitions in the UVic Calendar
• there is a different full-time definition for undergraduate (e.g., JD and JID) students in the Faculty of Law

One way to check your enrolment status is to download a Verification of Enrolment letter via UVic Online Tools. The letter will state whether you are enrolled full time or part time.

Work on campus

Find out if you're eligible to work on campus without a work permit.

Work off campus

Find out if you're eligible to work off campus without a work permit. Off-campus work is normally restricted to a maximum of 24 hours per week during regular academic sessions.

Off-campus work during regularly scheduled breaks

There is no limit to the number of hours eligible students can work off campus without a work permit during regularly scheduled breaks. To legally work full time during a regularly scheduled break, you must be a full-time student immediately before and immediately after the break.

Inter-session breaks and the winter break are examples of regularly scheduled breaks at UVic.

• undergraduate degree-seeking students: the summer session can be considered a regularly scheduled break, as long as your program allows it, and provided you are a full-time studentduring the winter session immediately before and immediately after that summer session
  • consult with your academic adviser if you have questions about your program’s scheduled breaks
• graduate degree-seeking students: you must maintain continuity of registration in your program and therefore the summer session is not considered a regularly scheduled break

Other work options

• UVic work study program

Co-op, internship & practicum work

If your program at UVic includes a work component such as a Co-op, internship, or practicum, you will need a co-op work permit. The co-op work permit can only be used for work that is an integral component of your studies at UVic.

To apply for a co-op work permit, you will need a letter from your UVic Co-op, internship, or practicum program confirming that work is required for your program.

Visit the IRCC website for more information on co-op work permits and how to apply.

Co-op work permit information session recording

Experiential learning

You may also have the opportunity to participate in experiential learning opportunities during your time at UVic. This could be a short internship or practicum incorporated into an academic course, a research award, or another type of hands-on experience. Some experiential learning activities may meet IRCC's definition of "work," in which case you will need the correct work authorization to participate.

For advice on work authorization for your intended experiential learning activity, contact an ICS immigration practitioner.

Medical exam requirements

An immigration medical exam is required to work in certain jobs or settings in Canada. This applies even if the work is unpaid, and regardless of the type of work authorization you are using (on-campus, off-campus, co-op/internship/practicum work permit, post-graduation work permit, etc.)

You will require a medical exam if: 

1. you will work in jobs that bring you into close contact with people, such as 
   • workers in health-care settings 
   • clinical laboratory workers 
   • patient attendants in nursing and geriatric homes 
   • medical students admitted to Canada to attend university 
   • medical electives and physicians on short-term locums 
   • workers in primary or secondary school settings, or workers in child-care settings 
   • domestics 
   • workers who give in-home care to children, the elderly and the disabled 
   • day nursery employees and 
   • other similar jobs  
2. you will work in agriculture and have visited or lived in a designated country or territory for more than 6 months during the past year. 

Keep in mind that medical exam requirements can be based on the type of work that you will do, or the setting where the work will take place. For example, if you will work in a hospital, a medical exam is required even if you are not providing direct patient care. 

How to get an immigration medical exam 

The medical exam must be completed by an IRCC-approved Panel Physician and proof of the exam must be submitted to IRCC with your application for a study permit or work permit. The Panel Physician will give you an eMedical information sheet to submit with your application, and will also transmit the results to IRCC. Results are valid for 12 months. 

Immigration medical exams are not covered under your primary or extended health insurance. Please contact the Panel Physician’s office you plan to attend for fee information. 

If you have not completed an immigration medical exam as part of your application for your current study permit or work permit:  

• you are not authorized to working in the jobs and settings listed above, and 
• your study permit and/or work permit may include a condition stating you are not authorized to work in these jobs or settings 

If you would like to work in one of the jobs or settings described above, you'll need to complete an immigration medical exam and apply to change the conditions on your study permit or work permit. This process may take several months, and you cannot start working in a job that requires a medical exam until the application is approved and a new study or work permit is issued to you. Please connect with an ICS immigration practitioner for guidance. 

Find work

UVic's Co-operative Education & Career Services can help guide and support you as you consider volunteer and work opportunities in Canada.

They offer:

• resources for working in Canada
• one-on-one career coaching sessions
• career workshops and training programs
• resources for volunteering
• information about UVic's Co-operative Education Program including the Work Experience Program

Below is a recording of the most recent career development session for international students and alumni that took place on November 28, 2024, offered by Career Services and Alumni Services in partnership with the ICS.

From Campus to Career: Strategies for Success in the Canadian Workplace

Social Insurance Number & taxes

In addition to meeting eligibility requirements and holding the correct work authorization, if you want to work in Canada you need to:

• apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
• learn about filing an income tax return

Post-graduation work permit

After completing your program of study at UVic, you may be eligible to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) and stay in Canada to work for up to 3 years. 

To qualify for a post-graduation work permit, you must meet the eligibility requirements which include continuous full-time enrolment in all academic sessions throughout your UVic program (with limited exceptions). If you are applying for a PGWP on or after November 1, 2024, you must also meet language proficiency requirements and provide valid language test results with your application.

Non-degree students (e.g. students completing diploma or certificate programs) who applied for a study permit on or after November 1, 2024, must graduate in an eligible field of study to qualify for a PGWP.

Exchange and study abroad students are NOT eligible for a post-graduation work permit.

PGWP eligibility for distance learning and blended programs

Students who complete programs that are more than 50% distance learning are not normally eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).

If you will begin your UVic program on or after September 1, 2024, you must complete at least 50% of your program in person from inside Canada and meet all other eligibility criteria to qualify for a PGWP.

For more information on the impacts of distance learning on PGWP eligibility, see About the PGWP on the IRCC website.

COVID-19 special measures for distance learning

IRCC implemented special measures between March 1, 2020, and August 31, 2024, to allow for increased distance learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Students who qualify for these measures may still be eligible for a PGWP. Visit the IRCC website for details, and to determine if you are eligible.

If you have any questions about post-graduation work permit eligibility for distance learning or blended programs, contact an ICS immigration practitioner.

More information for graduating students

For information and resources to support you as you transition out of UVic, visit our Graduation and beyond page.

PGWP information session recording