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Tutorial: How to amend your study permit with conditions to work in Canada
Step-by-step instructions, required documents, and other important information about applying to amend your study permit
1. Overview of the process
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
When to apply
Apply 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).
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 apply
By paper only
Application form
Request 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.
The information in this tutorial may change
The immigration information in this tutorial 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.
2. Gather your required documents
A document checklist is included on the last page of the [IMM 1436] application form. Check off all the items you are sending in your package and include the document checklist in the package as well.
Important: Even though the document checklist indicates you can include either a letter of acceptance or a letter of enrolment; you must include both of these documents.
Letter of acceptance
Include a copy of the UBC acceptance letter provided when you initially applied for your study permit. This will confirm to IRCC that your study permit was issued based on a work-eligible program and that the omission of the proper work conditions from your permit was an error on their part.
Letter of enrolment
This letter is required to explain details about your current studies and help the officer determine your eligibility to work, as well as the remaining time you need to complete your program.
Get a Customized Enrolment Letter if you meet any of the following:
You are an undergraduate student applying during the summer before you can register for winter courses.
You are a graduate student who is on an authrized leave for immigration purposes
To get your Customized Enrolment Letter, contact your academic advisor or graduate staff or advisor. Your letter should include your program, your current status as a student, and your expected completion date.
Make sure you submit both a Letter of Enrolment and Customized Enrolment Letter, if required.
Passport
You must provide a scanned copy of the bio-data page (the page with your name, date of birth, passport number, expiry date, etc.). The passport should be the one you used when you applied for your study permit.
Include a copy of a government-issued or internationally recognized identification that is not your passport. Examples include a National Identity Card, birth certificate, marriage certificate, or driver’s license.
If your document(s) are not in English or French, they must be accompanied by:
the English or French translation; and
an affidavit from the person who completed the translation; and
In order to process your amendment request, you must include your original study permit in your application package.
Keep a clear photocopy on hand in case you need it, as you will no longer have the original.
3. Fill out the application form
Your application form is an important part of your amendment request. Missing or incorrect information can negatively impact the outcome of your application.
i. Download the newest form
Required for all applicants: Request to Amend the Record of Landing, Confirmation of Permanent Residence or Valid Temporary Resident Documents [IMM 1436]
IRCC makes periodic updates to their application forms. Always make sure you are using the most current application form by downloading it directly from the IRCC website.
Complete the form and sign it by hand before mailing it. If you do not sign the form, your application will be sent back to you unprocessed.
At the end of this form is a document checklist, which you must print and include with your package.
iii. Get help with commonly asked questions
What is a UCI?
UCI stands for “Unique Client Identifier,” also known as a Client ID number. It is an eight- or ten-digit number on your study permit; your UCI has this format: 0000-0000 or 00-0000-0000.
How do I fill out the “Current mailing address” section?
This section is very important as the officer will use your address to mail you your amended study permit. If the address you indicate is inaccurate or incomplete, you may not receive your study permit.
A P.O. Box is a lockable mailbox located in a post office station which you pay to rent. Your mailbox number in your residence is not a P.O. Box number.
A street number is the main number on the outside of a building that indicates the location of a building on a street.
Some “street names” also contain numbers, such as West 10thAve, but this number is part of the street name.
If you live in a residence on campus, you might have an assigned mailbox number. You can provide your mailbox number in brackets after the street name; for example: “Lower Mall (mailbox: 234)”.
If you do not have an assigned mailbox number, you can put your apartment number under Apt/Unit.
If you are unsure of your mailing address or may move while your application is being processed, you can write a mailing address of a trusted friend. Please ensure that your mail can be securely received by your friend if the mail is under your name. You are welcome to use the address of International Student Advising but you must come in person to check if your mail has arrived. Please note, we cannot guarantee your document will be received and it will be publicly accessible in our office.
Additionally, we will not contact you when your mail arrives at our address, it is your responsibility to check for it.
How do I fill out the “Information to be Amended” section?
For question 1
You may indicate either your study permit document number or the date of issue and expiry date of the permit.
A document ID number appears on official immigration documents (e.g. study permits). It is usually printed in black ink as a letter (an “F” for study permits) followed by numbers.
For questions 2 - 12
You only need to fill in information that needs to be changed. Do not complete any fields if the information is already correct on your study permit.
If you are requesting an amendment to indicate your work eligibility on your study permit, and you don’t require any other corrections, leave questions 2-11 blank. For question 12, indicate “Conditions/remarks regarding student work authorization.” You will then need to explain your request in “Part C”.
How do I fill out the "Part C" section?
For question 1
Write “N/A” – it does not apply to you as a study permit holder.
For question 2
Write the following (as applicable):
If you are studying in a UBC degree, certificate, or diploma program or are an exchange student: Please amend my study permit to reflect my eligibility to work on and off campus in Canada so that I may apply for a Social Insurance Number. I am a full-time, [degree/diploma/certificate/exchange] student at the University of British Columbia. Thank you.
Exchange students should also include the following: Please see the ‘exchange students’ section of the ‘study permits: making an application’ Program Delivery Instructions for details on eligibility to work off-campus
If you are a non-degree-seeking student (e.g. Visiting International Research Student (VIRS) or Visiting Student): Please amend my study permit to reflect my eligibility to work on campus in Canada so that I may apply for a Social Insurance Number. I am a full-time student at the University of British Columbia. Thank you.
How do I fill out the document checklist?
Place a check mark in the box corresponding to each item/supporting document you include with your application. When you are ready to mail your application, place the document checklist on top of the other forms and documents, as a cover page. It is also helpful to enclose your forms and documents in the same order that they appear in the checklist – this will make it easier for an immigration officer to review.
4. Mail your application
Mail your application and all supporting documents to the Operations Support Centre in Ottawa.
Important: It is strongly recommended that you mail your application using a trackable method, such as Canada Post’s Xpresspostservice 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 address
If sending your package by regular mail or XpressPost, send it to:
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
If sending your package by courier, send it to:
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
5. 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.
International Student Advising is ready to support you on questions related to immigration, health insurance, and life as an international student in Canada.
