You should come to Canada with enough money to support yourself during your study period. However Canadian work experience can be an exciting opportunity to use your skills, education and previous experience.
Below are the types of work permits you will need to have prior to starting work.
Co-op, Field Placement or Internship
A work permit is required BEFORE you start your programs co-op, internship or practicum placements.
If you are in a program that requires you to complete a work term or placement, you MUST apply for a Co-op Work Permit in the first semester of your program. An International Student Advisor can assist you with your application. This permit is free.
Please note that the Off-Campus work permit is not the same as a Co-op, Field Placement or Internship work permit.
To qualify for co-op work terms, you must complete 80 percent of first-year courses as well as achieve a minimum grade of C in College English (ENGL-170) and a minimum GPA of 2.5/4.5 in engineering technology programs, or a minimum GPA of 2.5/4.5 for business programs.
On-Campus Work
You do not require a work permit for on-campus work. However, a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) is required.
Off-Campus Work Permit
Eligible international students can apply to work off-campus while studying. The Off-Campus Work Permit will be issued with the same expiry date as your study permit. If your study permit expires soon, you may wish to first extend it and then apply for your Off-Campus Work Permit. You may also extend your Study Permit and apply for your Off-Campus Work Permit at the same time.
Students must meet the following conditions to work:
- Have a valid Study Permit.
- Be registered as a full-time student at Centennial College.
- Be registered as a full-time student for at least six months in a program other than English as a Second Language or French as a Second Language.
- Have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or above. (You can find your GPA in myCentennial under Student Record Information).
Students with Off-Campus Work Permits may work for a maximum of 20 hours per week during the regular academic year (September to April) and 40 hours per week during Citizenship and Immigration Canada scheduled breaks (summer break, between-semester break, December break and March Break).
The Off-Campus Work Permit costs $150.
Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)
You have 90 days, beginning from the day after the end of your last semester or before the study permit expires (whichever comes first) in which to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. You do not need a job offer to apply for PGWP.
Graduates of Centennial, are eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). The length of the PGWP is determined by the length of the program you studied and by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). For more information please go to the CIC website. (www.cic.gc.ca) Please note that Centennial College has no influence whatsoever over the length of PGWP validity period. This is entirely a CIC decision.
Students who have completed all degree, diploma or certificate requirements will still be considered eligible to work off-campus full-time, provided both the study permit and the Off-Campus Work Permit are valid, while waiting for PGWP.
Throughout the academic year, the International Education Centre offers workshops on career opportunities and PGWP procedures. Attendance to these workshops is necessary to obtain the relevant guidelines and procedures to graduate and on how to apply for PGWP.
Bridging Extension
You must have a valid study permit in order to apply for the Post-Graduation Work Permit. If your study permit expires within 90 days after your final marks are available, you can apply for a study permit bridging extension prior to the permits expiry date. Bridging provides students the opportunity to facilitate post-graduation application procedures while maintaining status in the country. This is a study permit extension and can be submitted online to MyCIC.
Social Insurance Number (SIN)
Once you have received your work permit, you need to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) in person at Service Canada. You cannot be paid for work in Canada without a SIN. You must show your SIN card, proof that you have applied for a SIN, within three days after you start your employment.
If you are an International Student, you can apply for a SIN if you have a job offer on campus or a valid work permit. Please see your advisor for further information.
DO NOT work without the appropriate work permit. If you do, you may be required to leave Canada.
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