International WEX Students

The following is meant to help guide current or incoming international students in a WEX-approved program through the process to be eligible to work in Canada, not to advise on such matters.

WEX Conditions

You do not need a co-op work permit to participate in a WEX term. However, you must meet all of the following conditions:

1. You have a valid study permit,or you applied to extend your study permit before it expired.
2. You have conditions printed on your initial study permit that say you’re allowed to work on campus.
3. You are a full-time student.

• If you begin studying part-time and it is not your final semester, you must stop participating in WEX.

4. You have a Social Insurance Number (SIN).

Social Insurance Number

If you do not yet have a SIN, you may apply for one if your study permit includes one of the following conditions:

• “May accept employment on or off campus if meeting eligibility criteria as perR186(f), (v) or (w). Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.”
• “This permit does not authorize the holder to engage in off campus employment in Canada. May accept employment only on campus if meeting eligibility criteria as per R186(f). Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.”

*If IRCC didn’t include either of these conditions on your study permit, you need to request to have them added to your study permit before you can apply for a SIN. There’s no fee to add these conditions to your permit. Connect with the International Student Advisors (ISAs) for guidance before submitting your request.

For additional support regarding the application to and maintaining your valid study permit, refer to the International Student Advising services.