International Student Services

Working while you study

A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a nine-digit number issued by the Government of Canada and used exclusively by you. Your SIN is confidential and you should protect it. We recommend that you store any document containing your SIN in a safe location and do not keep it in a wallet or on your person. 

  • Your study permit must indicate that you are authorized to work in Canada before you can apply for a SIN. 
     
  • You will need a SIN to work in Canada or to have access to government programs/benefits. 
     
  • If your study permit does not have work conditions on it, you can request an amendment to have them added. 
Apply Online:
  • Avoid waiting in line at the Service Canada Centre
  • Can complete from the comfort of your own home
  • If application is complete with all required documents, it will be processed within 5 business days 
  • You'll be able to view your SIN in your My Service Canada Account (MSCA)
Apply in-person at a Service Canada Centre:
  • Find a Service Canada Centre near you here.  
Required Documents

To apply for your SIN, you will need: 

  • Your valid study permit (with work conditions/remarks)
  • Your valid passport 
  • Supporting document with your name and Alberta address on it (a utility bill/rental lease/ “Verification of Enrolment letter” from the Bridge)

For more detailed information on how to apply, visit the Service Canada website.

Note: Do not share your SIN unless it is required. See here for who can ask for your SIN and who cannot.

Note: IRCC announced that as of November 8, 2024, students are allowed to work off campus up to 24 hours/week during regular academic sessions. 

Full-time Enrolment

Undergraduate programs
Full-time status is defined as 60% of the normal full load of courses for your program. For undergraduate program, this is a minimum of 9 credit hours taken and completed. Withdrawals (W) do not count towards enrolment status.

Graduate programs
Graduate students are admitted as full-time students automatically for all master’s and PhD programs. Graduate student status is not determined by the number of credit hours taken per term. All students must re-register in all Fall, Winter and Summer terms of their program until a student is eligible to graduate.

Note: Most graduate certificates are offered on a part-time basis. 

 

Work Authorization

As a full-time uLethbridge student in an undergraduate or graduate program, you may be eligible to work:

  • On Campus, an unlimited number of hours/week
    • You may be employed on campus by the educational institution, a faculty, a student organization, or a private business/private contractor which provides a service to the campus (for example, SUBWAY, Tim Hortons, Hiroba, etc). You can find some student jobs posted here.
       
  • Off Campus, up to 24 hours/week while studying
    • If you are interested in searching for a job off campus, try looking at local job listings in newspapers or browsing online job-search websites such as Indeed and Kijiji. You are not eligible to work off campus if you are enrolled part-time, in Open Studies or in English for Academic Purposes, or if you are a visiting student. More restrictions may apply; click here for additional details.
       
  • Scheduled breaks
    • Undergraduate students can work an unlimited number of hours/week during the Fall Term Break, Winter Term Break, Summer Break, and the periods between regular academic terms.
    • Graduate students can work an unlimited number of hours during the periods between academic terms.
    • Review the Academic Calendar for specific dates. 

Note: If at any time during a Fall or Winter term you become a part-time student, you must stop working.

Important Considerations: 

  • If your study permit does not have work conditions on it, you can request an amendment to have them added. You must have work conditions on your study permit before you can apply for a Social Insurance Number.  
     
  • Before deciding to pursue employment, you should carefully consider how much time you will be able devote to working weekly without impacting your ability to keep up with your studies. Most undergraduate courses require at least two hours of individual work outside of the classroom for every hour of class time.
     
  • You and your employer are expected to adhere to Alberta Employment Standards. It is a good idea to read up on employment standards to know what you are entitled to in terms of wages, work hours, and vacation.
     
  • We do not recommend that you rely on part-time employment to finance your studies. Anticipated funds from working in Canada will not be accepted by the IRCC as adequate proof of funds when applying for your study permit.
     
  • If you need advice with your job search, or with putting together a cover letter and resume, visit Career Services.

At uLethbridge, the Co-op Education program fosters partnerships between students, the university, and employers, offering an immersive learning experience and invaluable networking opportunities.

  • Co-op Education is available to all uLethbridge students in an academic program, who have completed at least one term and meet the GPA requirements.
  • Students enrolled in non-academic programs, such as English for Academic Purposes (EAP) or those in Open Studies courses, are not eligible to participate in Co-op at uLethbridge.
IRCC announced that as of April 1, 2026, post-secondary international students no longer need a separate co-op work permit to participate in student work placements required by their program, such as co-op placements, internships and work-integrated learning opportunities.

Although the Co-op Work Permit itself is no longer a requirement, to be eligible to participate in a student work placement, you must meet all of the following conditions: 

  • You’re a full-time student at uLethbridge in a post-secondary academic, vocational or professional training program.
  • You have a valid study permit, or you applied to extend your study permit before it expired.
  • You have conditions printed on your initial study permit that say you’re allowed to work on campus.
  • The work placement will be 50% or less of the total length of your study program
  • You have a Co-op Letter from uLethbridge that confirms the work placement is a requirement to complete your program

You can learn more about the Co-op Education process and requirements here. 

Please contact your international student advisors if you have any questions.