Working Full-Time In Canada: Options For International Students

International students in Canada are allowed to work off-campus for up to 24 hours per week without a work permit as long as they are full-time students at a designated learning institution. Students can also work on-campus without a work permit, and there are no restrictions on the number of hours they can work. However, they must meet the eligibility criteria and have the necessary remarks on their study permit. Working in Canada as an international student can provide valuable work experience, help develop business contacts, and even aid in the process of immigrating to Canada after graduation.

International students can work off-campus up to 24 hours per week without a work permit

As an international student in Canada, you can work off-campus without a work permit, provided you meet certain conditions. Firstly, you must be a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI). Secondly, you must ensure that you are not in the last semester of your study program, as this may impact your eligibility to work off-campus. It is important to note that you cannot work before starting your studies. If you're eligible to work during your studies, it will be specified in the conditions on your study permit.

As of November 8, 2024, international students in Canada are allowed to work off-campus up to 24 hours per week without a work permit. This change from 20 hours per week allows eligible students more flexibility in their work schedule. It is important to note that working more than 24 hours per week is a violation of your study permit conditions and can result in losing your student status and future permit approvals.

To work in Canada, you will need to obtain a Social Insurance Number (SIN) in addition to meeting the eligibility criteria for working while studying. You can apply for a SIN by checking the conditions on your study permit and, if necessary, requesting an amendment to authorize work. Once you have confirmed your eligibility and obtained a SIN, you can explore various work opportunities in Canada.

Working in Canada as an international student offers several benefits. It can help you develop business contacts, gain practical experience, and even facilitate the process of immigrating to Canada after graduation. Additionally, you may be able to bring your spouse or common-law partner to Canada, who can also work with an open work permit.

It is important to be mindful of the type of work you do as an international student in Canada. Certain fields may require a specific work permit, such as the CUSMA work permit. Additionally, volunteer positions, internships, and unpaid work may be considered "work" by Canadian immigration regulations, so proper authorization is necessary. If you intend to work in specific sectors, such as childcare, teaching, or healthcare, you may also need to undergo a medical examination and ensure your study permit meets the necessary conditions.

Students must have a valid study permit to work in Canada

International students in Canada are allowed to work off-campus without a work permit, provided they meet certain requirements. These include being a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI), being in the last semester of your study program, and having been a full-time student in your program in Canada until your last semester. However, it is important to note that working more than 24 hours per week is a violation of your study permit conditions and can result in losing your student status and future permit approvals.

If you are eligible to work off-campus, your study permit will typically indicate this with remarks or conditions such as "May accept employment on the campus of the institution at which registered in full-time studies" or "May work [number] hrs off-campus or full-time during regular breaks." If your study permit does not have these remarks, you must request an amendment and apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) from Service Canada before starting work.

Additionally, students enrolled in co-op programs at colleges or universities can apply for a co-op work permit if they have a valid study permit, a letter from their DLI confirming that work placements are required for their degree, and if their co-op or internship comprises 50% or less of their total program of study.

It is important to carefully review the conditions and restrictions on your study permit, as well as comply with all relevant laws and requirements, to ensure you maintain your eligibility to work and study in Canada.

Students can work on-campus without a work permit if they are full-time

International students in Canada are allowed to work off-campus for up to 24 hours per week without a work permit, provided they meet other requirements for working while studying. Students with full-time registration status and a valid study permit may be eligible to work on-campus without a work permit. On-campus work includes any job located within the boundaries of the campus where the student is enrolled.

To be eligible to work on-campus without a work permit, international students must be enrolled full-time. Students who are enrolled part-time in their final semester before graduating and who have been continuously enrolled full-time in every other semester of their program are also authorized to work. Students who do not meet this requirement can only work in their final semester if they are enrolled full-time. If a student has taken a leave of absence or has any gaps in their studies, this exception does not apply, and they must be enrolled full-time to work in their final semester.

To be authorized to work during a scheduled break, students must be enrolled full-time in the term before and after the break. For instance, if a student is not enrolled for at least 12 credits in the winter term, they would not be authorized to work during the following summer break. An exception is made for students who are full-time in the preceding winter term and will be part-time in the fall term because it is their final semester.

Students must have a remark on their study permit that authorizes them to work on- and off-campus. If the study permit does not have this remark, students must request an amendment and apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) from Service Canada before they can start working in Canada. The study permit should include one of the following remarks or conditions:

> May accept employment on the campus of the institution at which registered in full-time studies.

Students can also work off-campus without a work permit if they meet all the requirements, including being a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI) and being in the last semester of their study program.

Students can work full-time during regular breaks

International students in Canada are allowed to work off-campus up to 24 hours per week without a work permit as long as they meet other requirements for working while studying. However, working more than 24 hours per week is a violation of the study permit conditions, and students may have to leave the country. There is no set number of hours that counts as 'full-time' work, but employers must follow provincial laws on overtime pay and time between shifts.

Students who are enrolled part-time in their final semester before graduating and have been continuously enrolled full-time in every other semester are also authorized to work. Students who do not meet this requirement can only work in their final semester if they are enrolled full-time.

To work in Canada, students will need to get a Social Insurance Number (SIN) in addition to the appropriate immigration documents. Students with full-time registration status and a valid study permit may be eligible to work on-campus using their study permit. On-campus work includes any job within the boundaries of the campus where the student is enrolled.

Work experience can help international students immigrate to Canada

International students in Canada are allowed to work off-campus for up to 24 hours per week without a work permit, as long as they meet other requirements for working while studying. Working more than 24 hours per week is a violation of the student visa, and the student may have to leave the country. Students can work full-time during regular breaks.

There are several ways in which work experience can help international students immigrate to Canada. Firstly, working in Canada helps students develop business contacts and gain practical experience for the future. Secondly, students can apply for a co-op work permit if they are part of a co-op program at a college or university, have a valid study permit, and have a letter from their designated learning institution confirming that all students in their program need to complete work placements to get their degree. Thirdly, students can gain experience beyond their academic institutions and increase their employability and professional networks with Mitacs, which offers paid collaborative projects with Canadian companies and non-profit organizations.

International Experience Canada (IEC) is a government program that allows individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 (or 30 in some countries) to work and travel in Canada. IEC also allows family members of foreign workers to apply for open work permits, which let the holder work for most employers in Canada.

Frequently asked questions