Working in Canada

There are a limited number of on-campus jobs available for international students through the Campus Employment Program for International Students (CEPIS). CEPIS is a work/study program designed to provide students with financial assistance through part-time paid employment on campus at OCAD U. The program provides students with a valuable opportunity a gain and enhance skills and obtain Canadian work experience.

CEPIS runs during the fall and winter terms (September to April) and during the spring/summer term (May to August).

To be considered for CEPIS in the fall and winter terms, you must:

• be an international degree-seeking student (undergraduate or graduate level)
• have a valid study permit
• be registered in full-time studies in both the fall and winter terms
• complete the CEPIS online eligibility check

To be eligible for CEPIS in the spring/summer term, you must:

• be an international degree-seeking student (undergraduate or graduate level)
• have a valid study permit
• have been registered in full-time studies in the winter term and be planning to return to full-time studies in the fall term (except if spring/summer is your final term)
• not be graduating in May
• complete the Spring/summer CEPIS online eligibility check

After confirming your eligibility, you can apply to CEPIS jobs posted on OCAD U's Talent Network. You can only apply for job postings open to international students.

A post-graduation work permit allows you to stay in Canada and work either part-time or full-time after you complete your degree program, helping you gain valuable Canadian work experience. The PGWP is an open work permit, meaning that you are allowed to work in most types of jobs, for any employer, and anywhere in Canada.

It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; you can only obtain a PGWP once. If you have plans to pursue another post-secondary program in Canada after graduating from OCAD U, you may wish to wait and apply for a PGWP after you've completed your second program to make full use of your work permit.

Length of the PGWP

Undergraduate and graduate international students from OCAD U are eligible to apply for a PGWP with a validity period of up to 3 years - the maximum duration allowed.

Check your passport and make sure it will be valid for at least 3 more years from the time you apply for your PGWP. The work permit cannot be issued past the expiry date of your passport.

Eligibility Requirements

• You must have maintained full-time student status during each term of your study program except for:
  • Final term before graduation (can be part-time)
  •  Authorized leave from studies (150 days or less)
• ·You must have a valid study permit.
• ·You must have successfully completed program requirements.
• You must have received the final transcript and graduation letter from OCAD.

Applying for your PGWP

You have up to 180 days after you receive your confirmation of graduation letter to apply for a PGWP. The 180 days applies to both inside and outside Canada applications.

However, if you are applying from inside Canada, please note that your study permit automatically becomes invalid 90 days after your confirmation of graduation letter is issued, even if the expiry date on the permit is later. You will need to submit your PGWP application before your study permit becomes invalid or expires, whichever comes first. You must have a valid study permit when you apply for your PGWP if you want to work in Canada while your application is being processed.

Please visit the IRCC website for details on applying from inside and outside Canada.

Working before you apply for your PGWP

After you complete your final term courses, you can continue to work part-time (maximum of 20 hours per week) until the day the Office of the Registrar notifies you that you have successfully completed your degree requirements, provided your study permit remains valid during this time.

Once you receive your confirmation of graduation letter, you will have to stop working as you will no longer be authorized to work under your study permit conditions.

Working after you apply for your PGWP

You can work full-time after you apply for a PGWP if:

• You had a valid study permit when you submitted your application
• You were eligible to work off-campus without a work permit while studying
• You didn’t work more hours than you were allowed to

Note: If IRCC notifies you that your application has been refused, you must stop working immediately

.

Travelling outside Canada after applying for a PGWP

If you leave Canada after applying for your PGWP, you will need one of the following to re-enter the country:

• Valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)
• Valid Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

The one you need depends on your country of citizenship.

Note: Citizens and permanent residents of the United States do not require a TRV or eTA to enter Canada

We recommend that you also carry proof you have applied for a PGWP (confirmation of application submission from IRCC, receipt for fee payment, etc.)

• If IRCC approved your PGWP application while you were away, you may enter as a worker.
• If IRCC is still processing your application, you may enter as a visitor, and you can work without a work permit until IRCC makes a decision on your application.