International students

A student may work on the campus of their university without holding a work permit under certain conditions.

I am eligible if:

• I have a valid study permit;
• I am a full-time student.

For more information, visit the IRCC website.

A student may work off-campus without holding a work permit under certain conditions.

I am eligible if:

• I have a valid study permit;
• I am a full-time student;
• I am a student enrolled in a program of at least six months in duration that leads to a degree (bachelor, master’s, PhD, major, minor) or a certificate.

I am not eligible if:

• I am a free student;
• I am a student enrolled in a preparatory program;
• I am a student enrolled in a short program;
• I am a student enrolled in an English or French as a second language program.

Rules to Follow

• Note that from November 15, 2022, to December 31, 2023, individuals holding a study permit and meeting the conditions for working will no longer be subject to a limit of hours of work. Please disregard the following section:
• The student may not work more than 20 hours per week during regular university terms (fall and winter);
• The student may work full-time during regular breaks scheduled in the academic calendar (for example, summer vacation, Christmas break, etc.) if they were enrolled full-time during the term preceding a regular break and the term succeeding it.
  Example: Line is a bachelor’s student in political science. She was enrolled full-time in the winter term and is enrolled full-time in the fall term. She can therefore work full-time during the summer. During the fall term, she may work a maximum of 20 hours per week.
• Graduate students are required to be enrolled full-time during the summer term. The summer break scheduled in the calendar extends from July to August.
  Example: Julien is a master’s student in communication. He is enrolled full-time during the summer term. He can therefore work a maximum of 20 hours per week during the summer term and full-time during the months of July and August if he is enrolled full-time in the following fall term.

For more information, visit the IRCC website.

Checking Your Eligibility

Visit the IRCC website to check your eligibility:

I am checking my eligibility

I am eligible if:

• Check the eligibility conditions.

I am not eligible if:

• Check the eligibility conditions.

If you are not eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit, you might be eligible to apply for a work permit through the International Experience Canada program. Check the eligibility conditions.

For more information on the Post-Graduation Work Permit and to apply, visit the IRCC website.

Validity of the Post-Graduation Work Permit

The validity of the work permit should be equivalent to the duration of your study program or your study programs in Canada, up to a maximum of 3 years. Attention: The expiration date of the work permit will not exceed the expiration date of your passport.

Transition Period Between the End of Studies and the Post-Graduation Work Permit

Visit the IRCC website

The steps that formalize the end of your studies are governed by regulation no. 5 of undergraduate studies at UQAM. Only at the end of these steps will you be able to submit an application for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

End of Studies

Final exam.

Corrections

Examination corrections, submission of grades, period for modifications and grade revisions…

Confirmation by the Program

Confirmation by the program of the approval of end of study, confirming that the student has met the requirements of their study program.

Confirmation by the Registrar of Graduation in Effect or Forthcoming

Issuance by the Registrar of the certificate of completion of the study program.

Possibility to submit a PGWP application.

The steps that formalize the end of your studies are governed by regulation no. 8 of graduate studies at UQAM. Only at the end of these steps will you be able to submit an application for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

End of Studies

Initial submission of the thesis / dissertation / internship report / directed study / essay.

Corrections by the Evaluation Committee

Corrections by the evaluation committee of the thesis / dissertation / internship report / directed study / essay.

Corrections by the Student

Corrections by the student of their thesis / dissertation / internship report / directed study / essay.

Confirmation of Approval of Corrections

Final submission of the thesis / dissertation / internship report / directed study / essay. Confirmation of approval of corrections. 

Change of Student Status by the Registrar

Issuance by the Registrar of the certificate of completion of the study program.

Possibility to submit a PGWP application.

Income Tax Return

For your separate (federal and provincial) filings, every February, you are sent statements, namely:

• T2202A (federal) and Relevé 8 (provincial) from UQAM ;
• T4 (federal) and Relevé 1 (provincial) from your employer.

Deadlines

• A fiscal year begins on January 1 and ends on December 31.
• You have until April 30 of the year following the fiscal year to file your income tax return..

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Are all international students required to file income tax returns?
   Students who do not earn income do not have to file provincial or federal income tax returns. However, it is beneficial for them to do so. Indeed, it allows them to benefit from certain social programs and to record their tuition fees with the Canada Revenue Agency and Revenu Québec to deduct them if they return to work in Quebec.(Should you file a return?)
2. Is there a category of students more affected than others, for example, self-employed workers?
   Employees and self-employed individuals must file an income tax return in Quebec and one in Canada.
3. Can it be said that it is advantageous for international students to file their income tax returns?
   Students with incomes below CAD 12,000 will receive a tax refund of what was deducted from their salary. Every student who stays in Quebec for more than 183 days should file income tax returns, as they are then considered a resident and thus taxable on their global income.

For More Information

• Foreign Students and Taxation, Revenu Québec, 2016, 514-864-6299
• Video for International Students, Canada Revenue
• What exactly do I get from it? Filing your income tax return, Canada Revenue
• Related Links for International Students and Income Tax, Canada Revenue
• Canada Revenue, cra-arc.gc.ca, 1-800-959-7383

UQAM Tax Days

• For more info, click here.

ESG UQAM Tax Clinic

Accounting students from the School of Management Sciences at UQAM (ESG UQAM) will assist low-income individuals in preparing their tax returns for free during their Tax Clinic to be held on March 28 and 29, 2020, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, please visit their website.

You need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to work in Canada. You can apply for one.

You meet the eligibility conditions, but it is not indicated that you can work on your study permit? You can apply for a modification.

What is an Internship?

An internship is a mandatory academic activity recognized within the Canadian education program.

Internships can be paid or unpaid.

I am an exchange student. Can I do an internship?

If you wish to complete an internship during your stay in Canada and this internship is a requirement of your home university, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) offers certain possibilities through the International Experience Canada program. Therefore, you must obtain a work permit to carry out this internship. Note that you are not eligible for the co-op work permit.

What is the Work Permit for Internship or Cop Work Permit?

The work permit for internship is a document that authorizes its holder to work in a job:

• That is a requirement for all students in their program;
• That is essential for obtaining a Canadian diploma;
• Provided that this job does not occupy more than 50% of the study program.

These jobs are considered internships. You can get more information on this topic on the Government of Canada’s website.

When to Apply for the Work Permit for Internship?

As soon as the student knows that they will have a mandatory internship to complete in their study program at UQAM, they can apply for a work permit for internship.

The application can be made during the initial application for a study permit or during the renewal of a study permit, or separately (in which case a valid study permit must be held).

Tool to Help You Make a Coop Work Permit Application

How to Apply for a Work Permit for Internship?

• Obtain a letter from the Registrar confirming that the internship is mandatory in the study program and for the student’s graduation.
• Click on « Other certificate » and write in the « Remarks » field, « work permit for internship ».

Remember to check the processing times to submit your application on time.

Need a Medical Examination?

To undertake an internship in certain fields (e.g., health, education, preschool teaching, etc.), you must undergo a medical examination by a physician designated by Canadian authorities. Plan to take the examination a few weeks before submitting your application for a work permit for internship.

The medical examination is at your expense. The processing center analyzing your application will contact you if necessary and will provide you with the instructions to follow.

Each term, our counselors offer information sessions on the Post-Graduation Work Permit.