Canada Immigration Student Employment Validation Exemption

The following students require an employment authorization, but are exempt from validation under the code indicated at right.

Spouses of Students Code E07 

Spouses of foreign students are allowed to accept employment in the general labour market without the need for validation. This exemption is intended for spouses who are not themselves full time students. Applicants must provide evidence that they are: 

Spouses of full time students are eligible for open or open/restricted employment authorizations, depending on whether or not a medical examination has been passed. These is no need for an offer of employment before issuing an employment authorization.

Employment Following Graduation Code E08

Students may accept education related employment for a maximum period of one year following successful completion of their studies, without the need for employment validation. The following criteria apply:

Canadian International Development Students Code D30

This validation exemption applies to students sponsored by CIDA when the intended employment is part of the student's program as arranged by CIDA.

Employment Integral Part of Course Code D35

This validation exemption applies to foreign students whose intended employment forms an essential and integral part of their course of study in Canada, and whose employment has been certified as such by responsible academic official of the training institution. This exemption does not apply to:

In cases such as these, the letter provided by the educational institution should establish clearly that the work is a normal component of the academic program which all participants are expected to complete in order to receive their degree, diploma or certificate. The most common example would be undergraduate co op programs at universities and colleges.

Destitute Students Code C05

Due to circumstances beyond their control, foreign students already in Canada sometimes find themselves completely cut off finances on which they had been counting for their day to day needs, as well as for their tuition. While academic institutions do grant some leeway insofar as tuition and residence fees may be concerned, there is no source of relief for the subsistence of destitute students unless they can help themselves through employment. These students should be granted employment authorizations exempt from validation, under Code C05.

Scholarship Students Petitioned by a University  Code E30

This exemption applies to foreign students who are the subject of a petition by a Canadian University or college on the basis that the student was accepted by the institution on an academic or athletic scholarship and whom, in the opinion of the institution and the Director of Immigration, it would be in the best interests of all concerned to permit to take employment arranged by the institution.

International Students and Young Workers Code E35  

There are a number of International Student and Young Worker Employment Programs which qualify under validation exemption. These programs are usually based on reciprocity and exchanges with a number of countries. Authorizations can be issued for between 1 to 18 months, depending on the type of program.

The employment can be open or employer specific. When issuing an "open" employment authorization, an occupation restriction must be specified if the applicant has not passed an immigration medical. Once the applicant has completed the medical requirements, the terms and conditions can be removed.