鶹ýվ

Undergraduate / Graduate Research Trainees

鶹ýվ

This page provides general information on the main types of work authorizations available to international Undergraduate and Graduate Research Trainees (U/GRTs) to conduct research at 鶹ýվ.It is the U/GRT’s responsibility to secure the appropriate work authorization.

The information provided on this page does not constitute legal advice. Immigration policy and procedures are subject to change. Foreign nationals are advised to seek legal advice for specific matters.For further assistance, contact your immigration advisor at immigration.apo [at] mcgill.ca.

If you are a foreign national pursuing an undergraduate or graduate program of study abroad or in Canada and would like to attend 鶹ýվ as a U/GRT, you must obtain an authorization to work in Canada.Research done as a U/GRTs is considered work – not studies - by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). 

It is your responsibility to obtain and maintain a valid work authorization for the complete duration of your traineeship. You will be required to extend your work authorization if it expires before the end of your research period.

Obtaining the necessary immigration authorizations may take several months, and international U/GRTs are invited to apply for their immigration authorizations as soon as possible.You should not travel to Canada before obtaining the approval of your work permit and/or visa or before confirming you can apply for your work authorization at the port of entry. If your immigration process will not be completed in time for your tentative start date, please inform your 鶹ýվ supervisor and the department’s administrator.


Research Stays for up to 120 Days

For research stays of up to 120 consecutive days, you may qualify for the .


To benefit from this work permit exemption, you must:

1. Engage primarily in research activities while at 鶹ýվ

2. Have a significant role to play or value to add to the research project

3. Not have used this work permit exemption within the 12 months before your arrival date

4. Be outside of Canada prior to the start of your research stay. You cannot request this work permit exemption if you are already physically in Canada


You must request admission to Canada under this work permit exemption at the airport or land border upon arrival to Canada. Before leaving the Canadian border (airport or land border), you must declare you are requesting admission under the , provide supporting documents and request that a “Visitor Record” be issued. The visitor record proves your admission to Canada under this work permit exemption and, if you will be paid by a Canadian source, will allow you to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) and a Canadian bank account.


Prior to travelling to Canada, nationals of certain countries will require a travel document:

  • If you are a citizen from a , you must to travel to Canada. Processing a visa can take several months. It is recommended that you apply for your visa as soon as possible.

  • If you are from a , you must apply an to travel to Canada.

  • US citizens and green-card holders do not need to apply for a visa or an eTA.

Research Stays for more than 120 Days

Work Permit Requirements

If you are coming to 鶹ýվ as a research trainee for more than 120 consecutive days, a work permit is mandatory.

If you hold or are eligible for an open work permit, please inform your Department, which will verify if it can be used for your appointment. Otherwise, U/GRTs may be eligible for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exempt, employer-specific work permit tied to their research stay at 鶹ýվ. There are multiple employer-specific work permit options, depending notably on nationality and funding.

In most cases, must be submitted online before travelling to Canada. Work permit application can take several months. It is recommended that you apply for your work permit as soon as possible.

If you are from a , you may be authorized, under certain conditions, to apply for certain types of work permits at the land border or airport in person without having to apply online.

If you qualify for an employer-specific work permit, your academic unit at 鶹ýվ will provide you with an offer of employment “A” number and proof of payment of the employer compliance fee. You will also be provided with general information on how to secure your work permit. You can also contact your immigration advisor for assistance.


Work Permit Options

Academic Award Recipients for Research Work ()

This is an employer-specific work permit offered for individuals coming to conduct research at a Canadian institution and who have been granted an award.

There are two (2) types of Research Award Recipients:

1. Award recipient paid by a Canadian institution

  • The award must be granted strictly on the basis of academic excellence.

  • The award must be the result of a competitive assessment and review process.

2. Research award recipient paid by foreign institutions:

  • The award does not have to be the result of a competitive assessment. It can be an award or another form of funding or compensation.

  • Personal savings are not accepted under this category.

  • The applicant can be supported by their country of citizenship or residence, their home institution or another foreign funding body.

()

If you are a citizen of a ‘’, then Eligibility requirements vary by country of citizenship. Applicants must be aged between 18 and 30 years old (or 35 years old for certain countries).

You must first submit your profile to an IEC pool of candidates. It is only once you receive an Invitation to Apply from IRCC that you will be able to apply for your work permit. IEC has annual quotas and usually closes in the fall before reopening in January/February of the next year.


  • Working Holiday

Working Holiday is an open work permit that authorizes work for any employer, anywhere in Canada, in almost any occupation. The duration of this work permit depends on your country of citizenship, but it is generally valid from 12 to 24 months.


  • International Co-op (Internship) category

International co-op is an employer-specific work permit that allows you to complete an internship in your field of study at 鶹ýվ to fulfill part curriculum in your home country. The duration of this work permit depends on your country of citizenship.


  • Young Professionals

This is an employer-specific work permit for young professionals to gain work experience in skilled positions in Canada. The duration of this work permit depends on your country of citizenship. This category does not usually apply to U/GRTs as it requires remuneration by the Canadian employer.

(Code C32)

The Co-op Work Permit is only for international students registered as students in Canada who have a study permit and need to complete a mandatory internship as part of academic program in Canada.

If you are not a registered student in Canada, then Code C32 does not apply to you. For students registered abroad, refer to International Co-op category in IEC (code C31).

Canada-USA-Mexico Free Trade Agreement (CUSMA) ()

CUSMA offers work permits for citizens of the United States or Mexico who are coming to do research at the post-secondary level. This code can only be used if you already hold an undergraduate

Study Permit Holders

If you are completing your graduate studies at another Canadian university, you may engage in research as a U/GRT at 鶹ýվ for a maximum of 24 hours per week during the school year and up to full-time during scheduled breaks on the basis of your study permit. This is provided you meet the for off-campus work, which includes being registered full-time at your home institution for the duration of your research period.

Some international students in Canada also hold a Co-op work permit. The Co-op work permit is an open work permit and can only be used for internships, which are credited by their Canadian home institution, and which form an essential part of their post-secondary academic, vocational or professional training program. It can be used for U/GRTs at 鶹ýվ, if the research stay at 鶹ýվ as a U/GRT will be credited by their home institution in Canada.

If you hold a study permit and/or a co-op work permit, please inform your Department, which will verify if it can be used for your appointment.

Further Questions 
The above information is to provide a general overview of the different categories that support an application for a work authorization. For additional information regarding the immigration process, please contact your department’s administrator or your immigration advisor.

To register at 鶹ýվ as a research trainee or for additional information on 鶹ýվ's requirements for research trainees, please refer to Graduate Research Trainee and Undergraduate Research Trainee.

Back to top