University of Calgary

Applying for a Work Permit

This information is intended for International Students at the U of C

Work Opportunities for International Students - No Work Permit Required

  • A full-time student with a valid Study Permit can work on campus without a Work Permit. A full-time U of C undergraduate student is a student who takes 3 or more half courses each Fall and Winter session. A graduate student is considered full-time if paying full-time fees. 
    Where to Look for Work On-Campus

Work Opportunities for International Students - Work Permit Required

  • Off Campus Work Permit: Students must meet the eligibility requirements that include to:
    -  Be currently registered as a full-time student.
    -  Have been a full-time student for at least six out of the last 12 months.
    -  Have maintained satisfactory academic standing.
    -  Not be an exchange student.
    -  Not be a EAP Program or ESL student.
    -  Not be recipients of certain specified scholarships.

    How Do I Apply for an Off-Campus Work Permit      
    • All applications should be done online through Citizenship and Immigration Canada's (CIC's) online application system called MyCIC.  To access the system you must first have either a Government of Canada "GCKey" or a "Sign-In Partner (SecureKey Concierge)" through online banking is you already have log-in access through BMO Financial, Scotiabank or TD Canada Trust.
    • We recommend that you register for a GCKey  
    • Once you have registered for a new GCKey this will be your sign-in, username and password that you will use anytime you wish to access the MyCIC system.
    • Request an Electronic Verification Number (EVN) after logging in to the MyCIC system.  The EVN request is the first of two steps that you need to do in order to obtain your Off-Campus Work Permit.  Once you request the EVN in MyCIC, the University of Calgary's Designated Institutional Representative (DIR) will receive a message from CIC requesting that the University verify your eligibility for the program, including full-time status and academic standing.  The DIR will then issue an EVN within 1-2 business days.
    • Once the EVN is issued you will receive an email from CIC instructing you to sign-in to MyCIC in order to continue with your application for the Off-Campus Work Permit.  Sometimes this email automatically goes into the junk/spam folder of many email providers, so if you do not receive an email within 3 business days of your request you may with to check your email junk/spam folder.  Be sure to write down your EVN in case you need to manually enter it in your application.
    • When you sign-in to MyCIC after the EVN has been issued you will then be allowed to click "Continue" in the section that informs you that yoour EVN has been successfully processed.  Simply answer the remaining questions when prompted, upload the required documents (usually a scanned copy of your passport, and pay the $150 work permit application fee).
    • Click submit and record the confirmation number which verifies that your application was successfully received by CIC.
    • Your Off-Campus Work Permit will be sent to you by Canada Post regular mail to the address you requested through the application process.  Current processing times can be found on this CIC webpage, which is updated weekly.
    • You can submit online joint applications for your Study Permit renewal,  Off Campus Work Permit and permits or extensions (spouse work permit, visitor record, spouse study permit) for your family members (spouse and children).
  • Co-op or Internship Program: The co-op/internship work permit is fee-exempt. You cannot start your work term until you have been issued the appropriate Work Permit. Your application must include a letter (issued by the U of C Co-op or Internship office) that clearly indicates the work is a mandatory component of the academic program which all participants are expected to complete in order to receive their degree. The Co-op Work Permit is only valid for work with the company where you have been assigned to do your work term. It is not valid for any other off-campus work. NOTE: There is no restriction on holding more than one Work Permit.
    Co-op/internship work permit application can be done by paper or online application.  Many find that the paper application is easier than the online application, as it allows students to demonstrate that they are applying for a co-op/internship work permit and explain why a fee is not included. 

  • Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): If you have recently completed your degree requirements at the University of Calgary you may apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. 
    • If you have completed a program of study that is a two year program or longer, you will be eligible for a PGWP that allows you to work in Canada for 3 years.  If you have completed a program of study that is between 8 to 23 months you will be eligible for a work permit that is equivalent in length to your time of study. 
    • You must submit your application for a work permit within 90 days, starting from the day when your final marks are issued. In cases where the final graduation requirement is a thesis, the 90-day period starts when you have defended your thesis, and the final draft of the thesis has been accepted by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. NOTE: The 90-day time period is NOT calculated from the Convocation date or the expiry date of the Study Permit.
    • In order to apply you must obtain a letter from your department stating that you have completed all degree requirements for your degree.  Undergraduate students can obtain this letter from an academic advisor responsible for their program.  Gradaute students can obtain this letter from their department or from the Faculty of Graduate Studies.  Please ensure that the letter contains your name, student ID number, degree, program and length of program, and completion date.
    • Applications for Post-Graduation Work Permit may be done both online and by paper.  We strongly recommend that you do an online application as it is usually the faster process and you get instant confirmation that your application has been received by CIC.

Spouses of Students - If you have a valid Study Permit, your spouse does not require HRSDC Confirmation when applying for an open Work Permit. It can be done online or in paper by downloading the correct application kit

Click here to view the 'Guide for CIC Online Application'

How much does the Work Permit application cost?

The fee for the Work Permit is $150.  (No fee for Co-op Work Permit application)

 

How do I pay for the Work Permit?

  1. Pay online using a credit card (Visa, Mastercard or American Express).  You will be prompted to pay using a credit card at the end of the online application.  You can also pay using a credit card and print the receipt if you are submiting a paper application.
  2. If you do not have a credit card: You will not be able to apply using the online application.  Please get a ‘pink Fee Receipt' from the Centre for International Students and Study Abroad. Pay the fee at ANY bank, they stamp it and keep one copy. Keep one copy for your records and one is sent with your application. Complete all the information on both sides of the receipt.  If you are doing an online application, but have a paper receipt from the bank you also have the option of scanning and uploading the receipt as part of the online application.

 

Please go to the websites listed above and read the Guide and any directions for processing your application.  For legal information, please refer to the Immigration Act and Regulations.

 Last revised April 26, 2013