How to amend your study permit with conditions to work in Canada

About amendments

Amendments apply only to errors that would have been made by an officer when your documents were issued, not a new change you want to make.

For example, if you were eligible to work when you entered Canada but your study permit does not state that you “may work” or “may accept employment”, you’ll need to amend your study permit before you can work in Canada.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for a study permit amendment with conditions to work in Canada, you must meet all of the following criteria:

  • You were eligible to work in Canada at the time your study permit was issued, AND
  • Your study permit does not have the correct conditions or remarks related to work. For example, it has any of the following:
    • It states “Unless authorized, prohibited from engaging in employment in Canada”.
    • It states “This permit does not permit the holder to engage in off-campus employment in Canada”.
    • It does not include any conditions or remarks related to work.

Overview of application

TopicDetails
When to applyApply as soon as possible.
You must have a study permit with the correct condition(s) in order to work in Canada. Without the correct condition(s), you will be unable to obtain a Social Insurance Number (SIN).
CostNo cost
Processing timeCheck estimated processing times.
If your application is time-sensitive (for example, you have a job offer or you plan to travel outside Canada during the processing time), please contact International Student Advising.
How to applyBy paper only
Application formRequest to Amend the Record of Landing, Confirmation of Permanent Residence or Valid Temporary Resident Documents [IMM 1436]
To avoid delays with your application, always download the most current form from the IRCC website.

Gather your required documents

You’ll need to prepare your transcript, Letter of Enrolment, a copy of your passport, and more.

Complete the application form

Your application form is an important part of your application. Missing or incorrect information can negatively impact the outcome of your application. Follow five steps to a comprehensive application.

Mail your application

Mail your application and all supporting documents to the Operations Support Centre in Ottawa.

It’s strongly recommended that you mail your application using a trackable method, such as Canada Post’s Xpresspost service or a courier. This allows you to confirm whether and when your application is received by IRCC; after delivery, print or take a screenshot of the delivery confirmation for your records. IRCC will not send you a confirmation when they receive your application.

Mailing addresses

Send your application to the following address:

Amendment to the Record of Landing, Confirmation of Permanent 
Residence or Temporary Resident Document
 
Operations Support Centre (OSC)
P.O. Box 8784 STN T CSC
Ottawa, Ontario K1G 5J3

Send your application to the following address:

Amendment to the Record of Landing, Confirmation of Permanent 
Residence or Temporary Resident Document
 
Operations Support Centre (OSC)
365 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 1L1

Get your study permit

If your amendment request is approved, IRCC will mail the new study permit to the your mailing address you included in your application.

Check your study permit

Your new study permit should now include a condition or remark that states “May accept employment..” or “May work…”. Examples include:

  • May accept employment on the campus of the institution at which registered in full-time studies.
  • May work 20 hrs off-campus or full-time during regular breaks if meeting criteria outlined in section 186(v) of IRPR.
  • May accept employment on or off campus if meeting eligibility criteria as per R186(f), (v) or (w). Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.

Save a copy

You should immediately save and keep a digital copy of your study permit immediately in a safe and accessible location.

After you receive your study permit

To be paid for work in Canada, you will need to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN). Find out what it is and how you get it.

If you have questions

You can connect with International Student Advising for questions related to immigration, health insurance, and life as an international student in Canada.

International Student Guide

Find everything you need to know about life as an international student at UBC’s Vancouver campus.

The information on this page may change

The immigration information on this page has been reviewed and endorsed by Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) or Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs) in compliance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations. However, this is not a legal document and information may change without notice. Always refer to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the most up-to-date information.