Backgrounder - Off-campus work permit program pilot

The Off-Campus Work Permit Program for international students at public institutions was launched nationally as a formal program on April 27, 2006. Prior to the introduction of this program, students were only allowed to work on the campus of the educational institution at which they were studying.

The new pilot project will extend the program to eligible international students studying full time at eligible private post-secondary institutions and enrolled in qualifying programs, in the Province of Prince Edward Island.

To qualify for an off-campus work permit, international students must:

• hold a valid study permit;
• be full-time students enrolled at a participating post-secondary institution or in a qualifying program that leads to a degree at an eligible privately funded institution;
• have studied full time for at least 6 months out of the previous 12 and have maintained satisfactory academic standing during the period of study;
• have satisfactory academic standing in their qualifying program of study at the time of their application for a work permit and thereafter;
• have signed a consent form authorizing the exchange of their personal information between the participating institution, the province of Prince Edward Island and Citizenship and Immigration Canada;
• continue to fulfil the terms and conditions of their study permit and work permit, as applicable; and
• continue to meet the above eligibility requirements while participating in the program.

There are currently three public institutions on Prince Edward Island that participate in the program: Holland College; the Société éducative de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard; and the University of Prince Edward Island. The newly added private post-secondary institution on Prince Edward Island is the Maritime Christian College.

Students who qualify for the program will be able to work up to 20 hours a week off campus while classes are in session and full time during summer and winter breaks, including reading weeks.