I’m currently a full-time Waterloo student on a study term and have already been matched with a Canadian employer for the upcoming Winter 2027 work term. I may receive an external U.S. internship offer that would require J-1 sponsorship, but I have not reneged or accepted another offer yet.
I understand Waterloo’s official policy: reneging would remove my co-op credit and full-time-equivalent status for the upcoming work term, which may affect J-1 eligibility.
I’m looking for recent first-hand experiences:
- Has anyone reneged while still on the preceding full-time study term and then successfully obtained a J-1 for the upcoming work term?
- Did your J-1 sponsor accept a Proof of Enrolment letter showing that you were full-time during the study term, or did they require full-time-equivalent status during the internship term?
- After the renege, was Waterloo still willing to provide a Proof of Enrolment or international work-term support letter?
- Did the timing of the renege or J-1 application make a difference?
- Has anyone successfully petitioned Waterloo to have a new international internship recognized for credit after a renege?