• Study Permit
• On-campus Work
• Off-campus Work Permit
• Post-Graduation Work Permit
• Applying for a first time  SIN
• Temporary Resident Visa
• U.S.A Visa

APPLY FOR A STUDY PERMIT IN YOUR COUNTRY

To apply for a study permit, you must receive a Letter of Acceptance from Algonquin College. Submit your application and the Letter of Acceptance to the nearest Canadian Embassy, Consulate or High Commission. Allow 2-3 months processing time.

Students who enter Canada on a visitor visa may study in the English as a Second Language program for no more than six months.

EXTEND YOUR STUDY PERMIT IN CANADA

Please contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for the most up-to-date information at 1-888-242-2100 or visit their web site at: www.cic.gc.ca

Or visit the IEC in room C429 for assistance.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ESL and SHORT-TERM STUDENTS

• If applying for less than 6 months of study, the Canadian Embassy will issue a visitor visa if you meet the requirements for the visa. 

• If studying for 6 months or longer, the Canadian Embassy will issue a study permit if you meet the requirements for the visa.

• If you arrive in Canada as a visitor and want to change your status to a Study permit, the process can be complicated and time consuming.  It is highly recommended that you apply for 6 months or longer for your studies and receive a study permit before coming to Canada.

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The first work opportunity is “on-campus work”. You are eligible to work on-campus while in Canada on a valid study permit and registered full-time. You can work anywhere on-campus.  It's up to you to find on-campus employment.  You do not require a work permit to work on-campus.

To locate departments that often hire students, visit the Departments & Services website. This web site will help you learn about many departments at Algonquin College that may offer on-campus employment.

To find work, we recommend that you prepare a resume, also referred to as a CV, and a copy of your timetable to let the department know of your availability. You can get help with creating a resume in the Student Services office located in room C226.

Once you have found on-campus employment, you will require a "Contract of Employment" from the department hiring you. You will need the Contract of Employment, your timetable,as well as your study permit and passport in order to apply for a SIN. The closest Human Resources Skills and Development Canada (HRSDC) office is located at 2525 Carling Avenue (in the Lincoln Fields Shopping Centre). 

The second work opportunity is called “off-campus work”. In order to be eligible, you must have studied full-time in an academic program for a minimum of 6 months within a twelve month period and maintain good standing in your program. Please note that students studying in the ESL program are not eligible for off-campus employment.

Please contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for the most up-to-date information at 1-888-242-2100 or visit their web site at: www.cic.gc.ca

Once you receive your work permit, please bring it to the HRSDC office to obtain your SIN (2525 Carling Avenue).

The third work opportunity is “post-graduate employment”.  Once you graduate from your program, you have 90 days to find work related to your studies.  If your program is a one year program, you are eligible for a one year post-graduate work permit, and if your program is a two year program or longer, you may be eligible for a post-graduate work permit of up to 3 years. If you find post-graduate employment in Toronto , Montreal or Vancouver, you will only be given a one year post-graduate work permit – if you meet the eligibility criteria.

Please contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for the most up-to-date information at 1-888-242-2100 or visit their web site at: www.cic.gc.ca

The processing time for the off-campus work permit differs depending on the time of year, but the normal processing time is anywhere from 2 weeks to 4 weeks.

Once you receive your work permit, please bring it to the HRSDC office to obtain your SIN (2525 Carling Avenue).

To apply for a Social Insurance Number, you must complete an application form. You can obtain an application from your local office (2525 Carling Ave.) or download one.

You must also provide a primary document that proves your identity and status in Canada, as well as a Legal change of name doocument, if the name on your primary document is different from the one you are currently using. It is important that documents are originals and that they are written in English or French.

If you are from a country whose citizens require a TRV to enter Canada, you will need to apply for a
new TRV if you are traveling to another country (except the US) and need to re-enter Canada. If you are traveling to the US only, then you do not need a TRV to re-enter Canada.

If interested, you will need the following to apply for the TRV:

• Completed "Application for a Temporary Resident Visa" (IMM 5257)
• Your valid Passport
• Copy of your current Study permit
• Two passport sized photographs. 35mm width x 45 mm height. Photo must be taken within 6 months. Must be clear against a white background with a neutral expression and mouth closed. Sunglasses are not acceptable.
• Original academic transcripts for all courses that you have completed in Canada during the past two years.
• A letter from the IEC at Algonquin identifying your program of study and anticipated date of graduation.
• Proof of funds available such as a bank statement.
• Money order or certified cheque or bank draft made out to the Consulate General of Canada"
  $75 CAD - single entry ; $150 CAD - multiple entry
• If you are in a common-law relationship, complete Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM 5409)
• If you use a representative, completed Use of a Representative (IMM 5476)
• Send your application and supporting documents to

  Consulate General of Canada
  3000 HSBC Centre
  Buffalo, New York
  U.S.A. 14203-2884

Please contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for the most up-to-date information at 1-888-242-2100 or visit their web site at: www.cic.gc.ca

Embassy of the United States of America
490 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Canada

All applicants for any type of US visa must first make an appointment with the US embassy. Most visas are processed and ready for pick up the next business day by 3:00 p.m.

Steps to be followed:

• Make an appointment using one of the following methods:
  • www.nvars.com (charges will apply)
  • Calling from Canada 1-900-451-2778 (charges will apply)
  • Credit card 1-888-840-0032 (charges will apply)
• Complete the online Visa Application Form or complete both sides of the DS-156 application form for each applicant. All males ages 16-45 must also fully complete form DS-157. Additionally, all applicants 16 years or older (male or female) who are nationals, natives or permanent residents of Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Sudan or Syria must complete form DS-157.
• Required documentation: a valid passport, proof of current status in Canada, etc.
• Fees: a $100.00 non-refundable applciation fee is required for every applicant. The fee is payable in U.S. funds and in exact change, cash only (no coins).

For further details, please inquire with the telephone numbers provided.