Table 2. Working in the United States

Contents

Introduction

Table 1. Working in Canada

Frequently Asked Questions

Important Websites

Introduction

The purpose of this guide is to provide a general overview and address questions concerning work permits for international students who would like to work during or after graduation in Canada or the United states. Canadian students considering working in the United States may also find the information useful.

If you are thinking of acquiring a work permit or visa for either country it is very important to PLAN AHEAD. Make sure you read the information thoroughly so you apply for the correct visa for your purposes.

For visas to the United States it is recommended that you wait to buy airplane tickets, put deposits on hotels etc. until after you have acquire a visa.

Table1. Working In Canada

Name of Visa/Permit / Description / Requirements
During Studies / Working On Campus / An international student at a Canadian University can work on campus without an additional visa/permit. / To work on campus you must:

Be a full-time student
Have a valid study permit

Working Off Campus / The Off-Campus Work Permit is offered through the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada to provide international students with the opportunity to work outside of the university campus for the duration of their studies in Canada, including those who would like to take up a summer internship. Apply Here.
You are not eligible to apply for an Off-Campus Work Permit if youare:

A visiting or exchange student.
Or participating is some government sponsored exchange programs.

/ To work off campus you must:

Have a valid study permit
Have been a full-time student for at least 6 of the 12months preceding the date of your work permit application
Be in satisfactory academic standing
Sign a form authorizing the institution, the province, and Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to share your personal information (to confirm that you are continuing to study full time and that you are in satisfactory academic standing).

Post-Graduation / Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) / The PGWPP allows students who have graduated from a participating Canadian post-secondary institution to gain valuable Canadian work experience. Skilled Canadian work experience gained through the PGWPP helps graduates qualify for permanent residence in Canada through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Apply Here. / To obtain a work permit after graduation, you must meet the following requirements:

Have studied full time in Canada and you must have completed a program of study that lasted at least eight months.
Apply for a work permit within 90 days of receiving written confirmation (for example, a transcript or an official letter) from your institution indicating that you have met the requirements for completing your academic program.
Completed and passed the program of study and received a notification that you are eligible to obtain your degree, diploma or certificate.
Have a valid study permit when you apply for the work permit

Name of Visa/Permit / Description / Requirements
Post-Graduation / Permanent Resident, Canadian Experience Class (CEC) / If you are an international student with skilled work experience in Canada and serious about immigrating to Canada, you may want to consider applying for permanent residence under the (CEC).
Apply Here. / You must meet these requirements to apply under the Canadian Experience Class:

plan to live outside the province ofQuebec
have at least 12 months of full-time (or an equal amount in part-time)skilled work experiencein Canada in the three years before you apply,
have gained your experience in Canada with the proper authorization
Meet the requiredlanguage levelsneeded for your job for each language ability (speaking, reading, writing, and listening).

Table2. Working InThe United States of America

Type of Visa/Permit / Description / Requirements
During Studies / Study Permit F-1 / This visa is for full-time students to study in the US. You are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year. May apply for a permit to work off campus but employment must be related to their area of study. Students and Employment /

Visa applicants must attend an interview with a visa officer as part of the application process
Applicants must prove they intend to leave the US upon completion of the course of study.

Exchange/ Internship visitor Visa J-1 / The J-1 classification (exchange visitors) is authorized for those who intend to participate in an approved program for the purpose of an internship, teaching, instructing or lecturing, studying, observing, conducting research, consulting, demonstrating special skills, or to receiving training. / Please see the website for the list of requirements for this visa.

Please note this visa has a Two-year Home-country Physical Presence (Foreign Residence) Requirement: This means visa holder is required to return to home country for two years at the end of exchange visitor program.
This requirement applies to nationals or permanent residents of countries that deemed the field of specialized knowledge or skill necessary to the development of the country, as shown on the Exchange Visitor Skills List.

Post-Graduation / Business Visa– B1 / This visa can be used for the purposes of meetings, trade shows, meeting company clients etc. You are not permitted to study or engage in paid work from a US source for services. / Please see the website for all the requirements for this visa.
Please note: the presumption under American law is that every visitor visa applicant is an intending immigrant. Therefore, applicants for visitor visas must overcome this presumption by demonstrating that:

The purpose of their trip is to enter the U.S. for business, pleasure, or medical treatment;
That they plan to remain for a specific, limited period;
Evidence of funds to cover expenses in the United States;
Evidence of compelling social and economic ties abroad; and
That they have a residence outside the U.S. as well as other binding ties that will insure their return abroad at the end of the visit.

Usually once you receive a B1 visa you will get a B2 visa as well.
Type of Visa/Permit / Description / Requirements
Tourism Visa – B2 / If the purpose of your planned travel is recreational in nature, including tourism, vacation, amusement, visits with friends or relatives, medical treatment etc. then a visitor visa (B-2) would be the appropriate visa. If you want to take a short course of study which is recreational (and not for credit towards a degree), and the course is less than 18 hours per week, this is permitted on a visitor visa. / Please see the website for all the requirements for this visa.
Please note: the presumption under American law is that every visitor visa applicant is an intending immigrant.
Usually once you receive a B2 visa you will get a B1 visa as well.
Post-Graduation / TN – NAFTA / The visa category "Professionals Under the North American Free Trade Agreement" (also known as a TN Visa) is available only to citizens of Canada and Mexico, under the terms of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Qualifying individuals can work in the U.S. in one-year increments, renewable indefinitely. /

You must have a job offer from an American employer to be able to apply for this visa.

H-1B / This work permit is for temporary employment for up to 6 years in a specialty occupation requiring theoretical or practical application of highly specialized knowledge.
The number of permits awarded are subject to annual numerical caps /

Requires completion of at least a bachelor’s degree in the specialty, or equivalent experience
You must have a job offer from an American employer to be able to apply for this visa.
Employer’s responsibility to complete the petitioning process

Frequently Asked Questions

When are applications for work permits due (for summer employment)?

You can apply as early as March 1st.

When can I expect to receive my work permit?

Approximately 4-6 weeks after the application is received. Please see the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Website for updated information.

What if I am working for a Canadian company and they stipulate that I need to travel to the United States to attend business meetings, meet company clients or attend trade shows? What do I do?

If you are not a Canadian national and working for Canadian employer and you are required to travel to the United States to attend business meetings (or meet company clients, attend trade shows etc.)you must apply for a B-1 visa.

Under no circumstances can the student be paid by U.S. entity while holding this visa: A non-immigrant in B-1 status may not receive a salary from a U.S. source for services rendered in connection with his or her activities in the United States. A U.S. source, however, may provide you with an expense allowance or reimbursement for expenses incidental (meal, lodging, laundry etc.) to the temporary stay but not exceeding the amount of reasonable expenses incurred from the trip.

What if my summer internship turns into FT over the summer months and I wish to drop to Part Time status, how do I qualify for the FT work permit?

You will need to discuss your situation with PSO. However, Rotman will not be able to help you with your Work Permit as you need to be graduated or have declared the intent to graduate with corresponding paperwork- the earliest this can be done is generally a month or so before graduation in order for Rotman to be able to facilitate that process. You would need to discuss your situation directly with CIC (Citizenship Immigration Canada) to explore the possibility of a work permit and then see PSO about your academic options.

When applying to employers online and I am asked "Are you eligible to work in Canada?" Do I answer Yes or No?

You can state yes given that you will apply for your work permit in winter and you will most likely receive it before you start work in the summer.

What is the process to apply for a work permit in order to work in the US over the summer months?

If you find a role based in the US and receive an offer from that organization, the CC can help you obtain a J1 Work Permit which allows you to work in US for the summer, assuming the company cannot do so through its own means (some restrictions apply).

What if I have a visa for the United States issued in another country and I am traveling from Canada?

If the dates are not expired your visa is still valid.

Important Websites

Resource Listings in R World:
Rotman International Student Services:
Citizenship and Immigration Canada :
US Department of State, Travel and Visa sections:
US Citizenship and Immigration:
US Consulate Toronto:
US Embassy in
Canada-US Visa Info:
Immigration and Customs Enforcement:
J1-visa information: