American going to college in Canada for undergrad

[Momtotwoteens]

I’m confused by what I’ve read. Can US citizens on a study visa work? Does it require additional permission beyond the study permit? Any additional info is greatly appreciated.

[tamagotchi]

My son didn’t end up studying in Canada, but he did apply and was accepted to co-op programs, and we got as far as putting together the application for the permits. So I am not an expert but this is how I understand it:

First of all, the study permit is the document that the student needs to study in Canada. You can apply for the study permit as soon as you are admitted and receive an attestation letter from the university. We were advised by the universities to apply right away as soon as my son was admitted, even before he ultimately decided where he would attend, because it can take a while to be approved (you don’t have to worry that it won’t be approved, but it takes time because of bureacracy). https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit.html

For working on campus (a part time student job) there are certain conditions listed on this page. If this is what you are talking about, I would suggest that you contact the university and ask for more details, because it didn’t apply to my son. It looks like the study permit itself states whether the student can work at an on campus job, but I’m not sure how the student gets that added to the permit (or if it’s automatic). https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/work-on-campus.html

My son was admitted to co-op programs, and in this case they get special permission to work in Canada including longer term off-campus work assignments, because it is required as part of their degree program. He received a second letter from each university that he could use to show eligibility to work when applying for his study permit. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/intern.html

Hope this gets you started with information and maybe someone else will chime in