CDS International: University of Waterloo Co-op Program

University of Waterloo Program

Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Duration: 2-12 months
Number of Participants: Not limited

Go to the Application

Important Application Information

If you are matched with a job in the USA for spring 2008 you should attend:

General USA-bound Information Session
Wednesday, March 5th, 2008, 2:00-3:00 p.m., TC 2218A and 2218B

US J-1 Visa Application Assistance
Wednesday, March 5th, 2008, 3:00-4:00 p.m., TC 1208

The student deadline for submitting a completed on-line application is Friday, March 7th, 2008.

The employer deadline for submitting a completed training plan and the CDS administration fee (when applicable) is Friday, March 14th, 2008. .

Orientation

All J-1 visa holders are required by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) to attend an orientation provided by the visa sponsor, CDS International. In spring 2008, two orientation sessions will be offered to UW students. Consult the orientation schedule to find a time and location that works for you.

All UW co-op students traveling to the USA for a co-op work term for the first time must attend one scheduled session. Based on UW requirements, UW co-op students do not have the option to attend one of our New York in-house orientation seminars. Failure to attend one of the orientations on-campus will result in the cancellation of your visa.

Health Insurance

All J-1 visa holders are required to have health and accident insurance while in the U.S. If you have the UW group plan (SUNLIFE), you do not need to purchase additional insurance. If you do not have this insurance, you are required to purchase health insurance from CDS' group insurance provider CISI. The current insurance fee is $40 per month.

Training Plan

Your host company must submit a Training/Internship Placement Plan (Form DS-7002) and Third Party Agreement to CDS International that outlines the scope and content of your internship in the U.S. A copy of the new training plan form can be downloaded from the CDS website. Your host company, CDS and you must sign the completed form before CDS can continue to process your visa documents. Training plans should be sent to:

Roxana Pleacoff
Program Officer
CDS International, Inc.
871 United Nations Plaza, 15th Floor
New York, NY 10017-1814
Fax: (212) 497-3535

Attention US host organizations: Please indicate the following program dates on the training plans (form DS-7002) of UW students/interns:

01/03/02008 to 05/02/2008 who will be interning with your organization for a duration of 4 months.

Administration Fee

If you are planning on paying the $650.00 administration fee yourself, please send a check or money order made payable to "CDS International" and drawn on a US bank, in US dollars to CDS along with your application. If your host company will pay the fee for you, please follow up with them to make sure that they are aware of this fee and know how to pay it.

Application

To obtain a CDS application, visit the Co-op office, or apply online. Please make sure to include all of the supporting documents (resume, copy of passports and previous visas) with your application; each application must also include a Participant Interview Form. Pleaes print out a copy of the Participant Interview Form and bring a blank copy with you to the Co-op office.

Effective September 1, 2004, all international trainees are required to pay the $100 SEVIS fee. Effective July 19, 2007, all trainees/interns are subject to new J-1 visa regulations. More information can be found here.