Janice Lozano
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. Students can work full-time during regular breaks, such as summer and winter holidays, if they are full-time students both before and after the break. To work off-campus without a work permit, students must be enrolled full-time at a designated learning institution (DLI) and meet other criteria. Working in Canada as an international student can provide valuable experience, help develop business contacts, and even aid in immigrating to the country after graduation. Students can also gain work experience through internships, co-op programs, and volunteer work, but these may require work permits or amendments to study permits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work permit requirement | International students can work on campus without a work permit, but they need a valid study permit. To work off-campus, students may need a work permit, depending on their circumstances. |
| Work hours | On-campus work has no restrictions on work hours. Off-campus work is limited to 24 hours per week (previously 20 hours before November 8, 2024) and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks. |
| Eligibility | Students must be full-time and meet other eligibility criteria to work on or off campus. Part-time students in their final semester before graduating and continuously enrolled full-time in other semesters are also eligible. |
| SIN requirement | A SIN is required to work in Canada. Students must apply for a SIN if their study permit does not authorize work. |
| Co-op work permits | Students in a co-op program can apply for a co-op work permit if working is integrated into their study program and confirmed by their institution. |
| Medical exam | Students intending to work in certain fields, such as childcare or healthcare, may need to undergo a medical exam and meet specific conditions on their study permit. |
| Taxes | International students who work in Canada should file an annual income tax and benefit return. |
| Work types | International students can engage in various work types, including internships, volunteer positions, and self-employment. Some work types may require specific work permits. |
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What You'll Learn
Work permits for international students in Canada
International students in Canada can work full-time during regular breaks, such as summer and winter holidays, without a work permit, provided they are full-time students both before and after the break. They can also work off-campus up to 24 hours per week without a work permit, provided they meet other requirements for working while studying. To work off-campus for more than 24 hours per week, students need a work permit.
International students with a valid Canadian study permit may be authorized to work off-campus if their school participates in an off-campus work permit program through Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). They can apply to have the 'not being allowed to work off-campus' condition removed from their study permit, but they must apply to change the conditions before starting work.
International students who are part of a co-op program or internship can apply for a co-op work permit if working is integrated into their study program and they have a letter from their designated learning institution confirming that all students in their program need to complete work placements to get their degree. Their co-op or internship should be 50% or less of their total program of study.
Spouses of international students are also entitled to a Canadian study permit or an open work permit. However, new restrictions on work permits for spouses of students have been announced, limiting eligibility to spouses of master's degree students whose program is 16 months or longer.
International students who have graduated from an academic program in Canada that lasted a minimum of eight months may qualify for a Post-Graduate Work Permit. However, starting November 1, 2024, students applying for a Post-Graduate Work Permit will need to demonstrate minimum language proficiency in English or French and graduate from an eligible field of study.
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Work hours and conditions for international students
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. These requirements include being a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI) and being in the last semester of your study program, among others. Working more than 24 hours per week is a violation of your study permit conditions.
On-campus work includes any job located within the boundaries of the campus where you are enrolled. There are no restrictions on the number of hours an international student can work on campus, as long as they are enrolled full-time and meet other eligibility criteria.
If you are working during a break scheduled by your DLI, such as summer or winter holidays, you can work unlimited hours during that break. However, to be authorized to work during these breaks, you must be enrolled full-time in the term before and after the break.
If your study permit does not authorize you to work, you must request an amendment and apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) from Service Canada before starting work. You can also apply for a co-op work permit if your working is integrated into your study program and you have a letter from your DLI confirming this.
Additionally, certain types of work in Canada, such as volunteer positions, internships, and unpaid work, might be considered "work" by immigration authorities, and thus require the right work authorization. Working for an employer outside Canada while in Canada does not fall under the jurisdiction of Canadian immigration authorities and is not considered "work" in Canada.
Work experience in Canada can help international students gain exposure to the Canadian workplace, earn extra money, and form connections with the local community. It can also help with future immigration plans.
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Eligibility criteria for international students to work in Canada
International students can work in Canada by gaining a work permit or by working without one, depending on their circumstances.
Work Permit
To be eligible for a work permit, international students must meet the following criteria:
- Have a valid study permit.
- Be enrolled in a PGWP-eligible program.
- Have applied for a study permit before starting their program, and have it approved before the program ends.
- Maintain full-time student status in Canada during each semester of their study program.
- Apply for a PGWP within 180 days of confirmation of completing their program of study.
- Have a valid study permit at some point during the 180 days after graduating and before submitting their PGWP application.
- Study at a designated learning institution (DLI) for at least eight months (or 900 hours for Quebec programs).
- Be in the last semester of their study program and not need a full course load to complete their program.
- Be a full-time student both before and after any breaks in their studies to work unlimited hours during the break.
Working Without a Permit
International students can work off-campus without a work permit if they meet the following requirements:
- They are a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI).
- They are in the last semester of their study program and do not need a full course load to complete their program.
- They work no more than 24 hours per week.
- They only work after their study program has started.
- They are not on an authorized leave from their studies or switching schools.
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On-campus and off-campus work for international students
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. These requirements include being a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI) and being in the last semester of your study program, among others. Working more than 24 hours per week is a violation of your study permit conditions.
To work off-campus without a work permit, you and your employer must ensure you meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR). You can also apply for a work permit if you wish to work more than 24 hours per week or take on a competitive role in the labour market.
On-campus work for international students in Canada includes any job located within the boundaries of the campus where the student is enrolled. There are special circumstances where affiliated research facilities may also be considered 'on-campus' if the work directly relates to the student's academic research. International students can work on campus without a work permit if they are full-time students, and there are no restrictions on the number of hours they can work.
To work in Canada, international students need a Social Insurance Number (SIN). To obtain a SIN, students must have a valid study permit with a remark authorizing them to work on and off campus. If the study permit does not have this remark, students must request an amendment and then apply for a SIN.
Working in Canada as an international student can provide several benefits, including gaining work experience, earning extra money, and forming connections with the local community. It can also help develop business contacts and gain practical experience for future careers. Additionally, work experience may even contribute to immigrating to Canada after graduation.
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Work permit exemptions for international students
International students in Canada are allowed to work off-campus without a work permit, provided they meet certain conditions. These include being a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI), being in the last semester of their study program, and not requiring a full course load to complete their program. Students must ensure they meet all the requirements for working while studying, as working more than 24 hours per week is a violation of their study permit conditions and may result in losing their student status and having to leave the country.
If an international student's study permit allows them to work off-campus, they can work up to 24 hours per week without a work permit. During scheduled breaks, such as summer and winter holidays, students can work full-time without affecting their ability to work unlimited hours during the break. However, to work unlimited hours, students must be full-time both before and after the break.
Students who are on an authorized leave from their studies or switching schools and are not currently studying cannot work off-campus. They can only return to work once they resume their studies. To work in Canada, individuals need a Social Insurance Number (SIN), which is a 9-digit number provided by the Government of Canada.
When participating in a co-op program at a college or university, international students 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 their co-op or internship comprises 50% or less of their total program of study.
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Frequently asked questions
International students in Canada can work full-time during regular breaks, such as summer and winter holidays, without a work permit, as long as they are full-time students both before and after the break.
International students can work off-campus during term time, but only for up to 24 hours per week. This includes volunteer positions, internships, and unpaid work.
You must be a full-time student with a valid study permit. Your study permit must have a remark authorizing you to work on and off campus. If it doesn't, you must request an amendment.
If you don't have a study permit or are not a full-time student, you will need to apply for a work permit. This can be difficult to obtain and may take a long time to process.
Yes, working in Canada as an international student can help you develop business contacts, gain practical experience, and even help you immigrate to Canada after you graduate.
