Work & Study Visa Through University of Toronto Scholarship

Studying and working in Canada is a highly attractive prospect for international students, especially given the clear pathways to permanent residency. The University of Toronto (U of T), as one of Canada’s most prestigious institutions, offers a world-class education that can serve as an excellent foundation for both academic and professional growth. While there isn’t a single “Work & Study Visa,” Canada’s immigration system, combined with U of T’s offerings, provides extensive opportunities for international students to pursue their education and gain valuable work experience.

This comprehensive guide will detail how to combine study and work through a University of Toronto scholarship, navigating the Canadian immigration landscape for the 2025/2026 academic year.

 

Understanding the Canadian Study Permit: Your Gateway to Study and Work

 

To study in Canada, most international students need a study permit. This is the core document that allows you to pursue your education. Crucially, it often comes with the implicit authorization to work, making the “work & study” dream a reality.

 

Key Requirements for a Canadian Study Permit (2025/2026):

 

• Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from U of T: You must have an unconditional Letter of Acceptance from the University of Toronto (which is a Designated Learning Institution – DLI). This is the absolute first step.
• Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL): (NEW for 2025/2026) Most new study permit applicants, including Master’s and Doctoral students, are now required to obtain a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from the province of Ontario. This letter confirms that you have been accounted for under Ontario’s allocated cap for international students. The University of Toronto will typically assist you in obtaining this PAL once you accept your offer of admission and pay any required admission deposits.
• Proof of Financial Support: You must prove you have enough money to cover your tuition fees, living expenses for yourself (and any family members accompanying you), and return transportation.
  • Increased Cost-of-Living Requirement: As of January 1, 2024, the cost-of-living requirement for a single applicant (outside Quebec) increased to CAD $20,635 per year (not including tuition). This amount will be adjusted annually based on Statistics Canada’s Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO). You will need to show this amount plus your first year’s tuition and travel costs. For applications submitted on or after September 1, 2025, this amount will increase to CAD $22,895.
  • Scholarship letters from U of T are crucial here, directly demonstrating a portion of your financial capability.
• Proof of Identity: A valid passport and other identification documents.
• Clean Criminal Record: You must satisfy immigration authorities that you have no criminal record. A police certificate may be required.
• Good Health: You may need to undergo a medical examination if required by IRCC.
• Intent to Leave: You must convince an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay.

 

Work Authorization for International Students in Canada:

 

Your study permit generally authorizes you to work without needing a separate work permit:

• On-Campus Work: As soon as your program starts, you can work on-campus for any employer (e.g., in cafeterias, libraries, labs) if your study permit indicates you are allowed to work. There are no hour limits during scheduled breaks.
• Off-Campus Work: You can work off-campus for up to 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks. This is a significant opportunity to gain Canadian work experience and help cover living costs.
• Co-op and Internship Programs: If your program at U of T includes a mandatory co-op or internship component, you will need to apply for a co-op work permit. This is generally straightforward once your school confirms the requirement.

 

Scholarships and Funding Opportunities at the University of Toronto (2025/2026)

 

The University of Toronto is highly committed to attracting top international talent and offers a wide array of scholarships and funding opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. These can significantly reduce your financial burden and strengthen your study permit application.

 

1. Undergraduate Scholarships:

 

U of T offers numerous admission scholarships for outstanding international students. Many of these are automatically considered when you apply for admission, requiring no separate application.

• Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program (for 2026 intake): This is U of T’s most prestigious and competitive scholarship for international undergraduate students. It is a fully funded program, covering tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years.
  • Application Deadline: October 10, 2025 (school nomination); October 17, 2025 (student OUAC application); November 7, 2025 (student scholarship application and documentation). The competition for the 2026 intake officially opened on July 1, 2025.
  • Key Requirement: You must be nominated by your high school.
• University of Toronto Scholars Program: Approximately 700 admission scholarships (value up to $7,500) are awarded annually to outstanding domestic and international students. No separate application is required.
• Presidential Scholars of Excellence Program: Awarded to approximately 150 top-performing students entering their first year of undergraduate studies. Value of $10,000 (first year), renewable. Recipients also gain access to a part-time, on-campus job in their second year and an international learning opportunity.
• International Merit Admission Award (Faculty of Arts & Science): Up to $50,000, based on academic merit.
• Various Faculty-Specific Scholarships: Faculties like Applied Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mineral Engineering offer specific scholarships to international students, some renewable.

 

2. Graduate Scholarships and Assistantships:

 

For Master’s and Ph.D. students, the University of Toronto offers robust funding packages, often a combination of scholarships and assistantships.

• Graduate Assistantships (GAs) / Teaching Assistantships (TAs) / Research Assistantships (RAs): These are a primary source of funding and an excellent way to combine study with work experience. GAs are often unionized positions (e.g., CUPE 3902, Unit 7), providing a stipend, tuition remission (waiver of tuition fees, often for the full amount or a significant portion), and sometimes health and dental benefits.
  • Work Hours: GAs typically involve working up to 10 hours per week (totaling 270 hours over Fall/Winter terms) for Master’s and Doctoral students.
  • How to Apply: These are typically offered by individual academic departments. After gaining admission, proactively contact your Graduate Program Director or department to inquire about available assistantships for the 2025/2026 academic year. Strong academic records, research interests aligning with faculty, and relevant skills are crucial.
  • Examples from U of T OISE and Computer Science: These departments actively list GA/TA/RA opportunities with application periods for Fall/Winter 2025-2026 starting around May-June 2025. Many research-stream students receive guaranteed funding packages comprising RAs, TAs, and departmental fellowships.
• University-Wide Graduate Scholarships:
  • Connaught International Scholarship for Doctoral Students: Highly prestigious, merit-based scholarship.
  • Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS-VISA) for International Students: A provincial scholarship administered by U of T for Master’s and Ph.D. students. The deadline for the 2025-2026 cycle was typically March 14, 2025.
  • Departmental Entrance Scholarships & Fellowships: Many departments offer their own scholarships to admitted international students.

 

3. External Scholarships and Programs:

 

Beyond U of T, numerous external organizations and government programs offer scholarships for international students in Canada.

• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS): For doctoral students across Canada, offering CAD $50,000 per year for three years, based on academic excellence, research potential, and leadership.
• Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships: For postdoctoral researchers across Canada, providing CAD $70,000 per year for two years.
• Study in Canada Scholarships: Offers short-term exchange opportunities for study or research for students from specific eligible countries.
• MPOWER Global Citizens Scholarship: Offered by MPOWER Financing, this scholarship is for international students attending MPOWER-supported universities in Canada (including U of T).

 

The Application Process: Step-by-Step for 2025/2026

 

1. Research Programs and Scholarships: Identify the U of T program that best aligns with your goals and research its specific admission requirements and scholarship offerings for international students.
2. Meet Admission Requirements: Ensure you meet all academic criteria, including GPA, standardized test scores (SAT/ACT, GMAT/GRE as applicable), and English language proficiency (IELTS, CELPIP, TOEFL). U of T generally requires an IELTS overall band of 6.5 with no band lower than 6.0 for undergraduates, and higher for some graduate programs.
3. Apply for Admission Early: Submit your university application (via OUAC for undergraduates) well in advance, ideally for Round 1 or 2, as this often increases your chances for scholarships. Undergraduate deadlines for 2025/2026 (starting Sept 2026) for Pearson Scholarship nominations are October 10, 2025, with OUAC applications by October 17, 2025.
4. Apply for Scholarships & Assistantships:
   • For scholarships that require separate applications, submit them by their respective deadlines.
   • For graduate assistantships, once admitted, proactively contact your department about openings.
5. Receive LOA & PAL: Once accepted, the University of Toronto will issue your Letter of Acceptance. After you accept the offer and pay any necessary deposits, U of T will then work with the provincial government to issue your Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). This is a critical new step.
6. Prepare Study Permit Documents: Gather all required documents: valid passport, LOA, PAL, proof of financial support (including all scholarship letters), language test results, police certificates (if required), and medical exam results (if required).
7. Complete Study Permit Application: Fill out the IRCC application forms accurately online.
8. Pay Fees: Pay the study permit processing fee (currently CAD $150) and biometrics fee (CAD $85).
9. Biometrics: Attend a biometrics appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) in your home country (e.g., Nigeria).
10. Await Decision: IRCC will process your application.
11. Receive Letter of Introduction: If approved, you will receive a Letter of Introduction (Port of Entry Letter). Present this to a border services officer upon arrival in Canada, who will then issue your study permit.

 

Conclusion

 

Combining a world-class education at the University of Toronto with valuable work experience is a highly attainable goal for international students in 2025/2026. By diligently pursuing scholarships offered by U of T and other external bodies, and meticulously navigating the Canadian study permit process (including the new Provincial Attestation Letter requirement), you can secure the necessary visa and funding. The opportunities for on-campus and off-campus work, combined with the potential for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility after graduation, offer a robust pathway to professional development and potentially permanent residency in Canada.