Before you arrive

Immigration

Canada has introduced an annual cap to the number of work permits that will be issued to temporary foreign workers.聽 You are encouraged start preparing your application as soon as you have accepted your offer and be ready to submit your application as soon as you have received your employment number.

  • If you are not a Canadian Citizen or Canadian Permanent Resident, you will need to apply for a work permit (Temporary Foreign Worker) in order to be able to work.聽
  • Depending on your citizenship and/or the country you are coming from, you may also need an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) or entry visa to be able to enter Canada.聽聽
    • Find out if you need a
    • In some cases, Immigration Refugee Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will attach an eTA to your work permit for you.聽 In that case, if you wish to arrive in Canada before the start date of your appointment, you may need to arrange an eTA for the period before your appointment starts.
  • You should apply for a temporary foreign worker work permit.
    • The end date on your work permit cannot exceed the expiry date of your passport.聽 If your passport is due to expire soon after you arrive in 蓝莓视频 and time permits, you may find it easier to renew your passport before applying for a work permit.
    • Your online application is eligible for two-week processing under the .聽 (Postdoctoral positions are LMIA-exempt and a TEER 1 category, and U蓝莓视频 uses the employer portal.)
    • Spouses and common-law spouses may be eligible to apply for an open work permit.聽 Their application should be attached to yours.
  • When you apply for your work permit, you will need to provide proof that you are qualified for the position you are taking.聽聽You should include a copy of your diploma/doctorate/PhD certificate.聽 If you have not been awarded your certificate yet, note that we are aware that there have been cases where immigration processing was done without a diploma, but that decision is at the discretion of the immigration officer.聽 Incoming postdocs without diploma should be aware of the risk that the immigration officer may not process their appointment.
    • Some WCA Postdoctoral Fellows have found that an official letter from their institution stating that they have met the requirements of a PhD was sufficient.
    • Some WCA Postdoctoral Fellows have found that they have been required to purchase a return ticket if attempting to board a flight to Canada without their work permit.聽 This is because Canada will charge airlines for the cost to return a passenger denied entry to Canada.聽 If you opt to get your work permit at the Canadian border, we recommend purchasing a flexible ticket with cancellation coverage.

Housing

The University of 蓝莓视频 has an off-campus housing website that shares helpful resources if you are looking for housing and roommates, as well important information tips regarding documents, security deposits and landlords. 聽聽The 鈥渁dditional off-campus housing options鈥 link at the bottom of the page may be most helpful for finding housing.聽 Some resources not included on that list are and .

Columbia Lake Village Graduate Community has a limited number of two-bedroom townhouses available for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows with families to rent from the University. 聽

It is possible to find temporary accommodations on campus, especially over the summer time, and you聽can look at and (Craigslist is not much used here).

The University of 蓝莓视频 Human Resource website also has a lot of helpful tips for relocating to 蓝莓视频 Region including real estate listings and realtors, relocation guides and local banking and utilities companies. 聽聽

Some general notes:

  • There are numerous new high-rise apartments within walking distance to campus.聽 There are also older family style homes that are typically shared by undergraduates.
  • You can expect rents to be $1,000-$2,000 per month in 蓝莓视频 and less in Kitchener.聽
  • Public transportation from Kitchener (bus and ion light rail) is reasonably good but is an added cost.

Banking

You must have a bank account to be paid by the University.聽 It is much easier to do this in person after you arrive, and you may find better fees and services this way. 聽It is possible to open an before you arrive.

Childcare

Childcare (daycare) for infants and pre-school children in Ontario is in very high demand.聽聽 To find a childcare provider you must register on .聽聽 It is recommended to do so as soon as you are aware you will need childcare and you can expect to wait for up to 12-18 months to find a place.

There are several childcare facilities on campus, and which give priority to children of University of 蓝莓视频 employees:

School-age children are automatically eligible for school, but you must register them with the school board you wish them to attend.聽 You can find information about 蓝莓视频 Region schools on the .