Does the scholarship program require a study visa or a work visa since it involves working in a hospital setup and also provides an educational degree in Canada?
Your hybrid hospital and degree program requires a Study Permit, not a work visa, since Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada classifies you as an international student because your program's primary purpose is granting a degree. Your hospital placement counts as part of your curriculum and needs a medical exam.
You need a Study Permit for this kind of hybrid arrangement, not a work visa. Because the primary objective of your program is to grant an academic degree through a Designated Learning Institution, Canadian immigration treats you as an international student first, even though part of your training happens inside a hospital.
Study Permit Versus Work Visa For Your Situation
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary document needed | Study Permit, applied for and obtained before entering Canada |
| Hospital work classification | Treated as an integrated clinical placement, practicum, or co-op tied to your degree |
| Separate co-op work permit | Generally not required for mandatory student placements authorized by your school |
| Immigration medical exam | Required because you will work inside a hospital setting |
Other Working Privileges On Your Study Permit
- As a full-time international student, you can also take on regular part-time work of up to 24 hours a week off-campus during academic sessions, separate from your hospital placement.
- Confirm your medical exam is fully completed and properly reflected on your study permit documents before you begin any hospital-based work.
- A standard work visa is meant for independent employment unconnected to a formal academic curriculum, which does not describe your program.
My Advice
Apply for your Study Permit first and confirm with your institution that your hospital placement is officially documented as a required part of your curriculum, since that documentation is what protects you from needing a separate work authorization for the clinical hours.
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