Working Off-Campus: International Students' Summer Job Options

International students face strict regulations when it comes to working during their studies. In the United States, F-1 students are generally not permitted to work off-campus during their first academic year, while in Canada, international students can work off-campus without a work permit, provided they meet certain requirements. These requirements include being a full-time student at a designated learning institution, having a valid study permit, and not working more than 24 hours per week. International students in the US can work on-campus during their first year, provided they have a Social Security Number, and may be eligible for off-campus employment after their first year under specific conditions, such as severe economic hardship or special student relief.

Characteristics and Values Table for International Students Working Off-Campus During Summer:

International students in the US on an F-1 visa cannot work off-campus during the first academic year

International students in the US on an F-1 visa have strict regulations regarding employment. The F-1 Visa (Academic Student) allows non-immigrant students to enter the United States as full-time students at an accredited academic institution. To be eligible for an F-1 visa, students must demonstrate that they can afford school and living expenses, and should not plan to work off-campus.

Students on an F-1 visa may not work off-campus during their first academic year. However, they may accept on-campus employment, such as in a bookstore or cafeteria, under certain conditions. On-campus employment is limited to 20 hours per week during the academic year and up to 40 hours per week during breaks and summer vacation.

After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Economic Hardship Employment. CPT is a type of employment that trains students in their field of study and can include internships, cooperative education jobs, or other experiences related to their major. OPT is work authorization that allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year before or after graduation. Economic Hardship Employment is available to students who can demonstrate severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances.

To be eligible for off-campus employment, F-1 students must have completed at least one academic year and have valid F-1 status. They must also obtain written authorization from the Designated School Official and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before engaging in any off-campus work.

After the first year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment

F-1 students are not permitted to work off-campus during their first academic year. However, they may accept on-campus employment, provided they meet certain conditions and restrictions. After the first year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Severe Economic Hardship, and Special Student Relief (SSR).

CPT is a type of employment for F-1 students who have been in the country for at least 9 months. It can be an internship or any other work experience that is either for credit or required for their degree. CPT work must be part-time (20 hours per week) during the academic year but can be full-time during breaks and summer vacation.

F-1 students may also apply for off-campus work authorization for Economic Hardship, which is defined as unforeseen financial hardship caused by circumstances beyond their control, such as unexpected medical expenses or fluctuations in currency exchange rates. Thorough documentation and an application process to USCIS are required for this type of authorization.

In special global circumstances, such as famine, war, or economic downturn, the U.S. government may allow students from affected countries temporary special benefits, including the ability to apply for off-campus employment. This practice is known as Special Student Relief (SSR). In these cases, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will issue a notice in the Federal Register with timelines and details of the benefits.

Students in Canada are allowed to work off-campus up to 24 hours per week without a work permit

International students in Canada have traditionally been allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during regular school terms or semesters. However, in April 2024, the Canadian government announced an increase in the number of off-campus work hours for international students to 24 hours per week. This change took effect on November 8, 2024, and allows full-time international students to work off-campus without needing a separate work permit.

To be eligible to work off-campus without a work permit, international students in Canada must meet specific requirements. Firstly, they must be a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI). Additionally, they must have a valid study permit or have applied to extend their study permit before it expired. If students have completed their previous program, they must provide written confirmation and be accepted into a new full-time study program at a DLI within 150 calendar days.

It is important to note that the 24-hour cap only applies to hours worked off-campus while classes are in session. During scheduled breaks, such as summer holidays, students can work an unlimited number of hours. However, to maintain their student status and avoid potential repercussions, students must ensure they do not exceed 24 hours of work per week.

Students can work multiple jobs to make up the 24 hours as long as they continue to meet the conditions of their study permit. Additionally, they can work remotely for an employer outside of Canada, which does not count towards their 24-hour weekly limit. It is the responsibility of both the student and their employer to ensure that all requirements for working off-campus without a permit are met before starting work.

International students in Canada must be full-time students before and after a break to work full-time during the break

International students in Canada are allowed to work off-campus without a work permit, but they must meet certain eligibility requirements. These include being a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI) and having a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN). Students can work up to 24 hours per week during the school term, and there is no limit on the number of hours they can work during scheduled breaks, such as the summer or winter holidays.

However, to be authorized to work during a scheduled break, international students must be enrolled as full-time students in the term before and after the break. For example, 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 in their final semester and only need to be part-time. In this case, they can work full-time during the break if they were full-time in the preceding term.

To work off-campus, international students in Canada must have a study permit that authorizes off-campus work. If the study permit does not have this authorization, students must request an amendment and then apply for a SIN. There is no fee for adding the off-campus work authorization to the study permit, but there is a fee to change other conditions, such as removing a condition that restricts certain types of work.

It is important to note that working more than 24 hours per week during the school term is a violation of the study permit conditions, and students may lose their student status and be asked to leave the country.

Students in Canada must request an amendment to their study permit before applying to Service Canada for a SIN

International students in Canada are allowed to work off-campus up to 24 hours per week without a work permit. However, they must meet other requirements for working while studying. Students must be enrolled in a full-time study program at a designated learning institution (DLI) and must have started their study program before they can begin working in Canada.

If you are an international student in Canada and want to work off-campus, you must first request an amendment to your study permit. This is because your study permit must include certain conditions or remarks related to work, such as "May accept employment..." or "May work...". There is no fee to add these conditions to your permit, and you can request to have them added if you are eligible to work off-campus.

To request an amendment, you must apply to change the conditions of your study permit. This can be done online, and you will need to include a letter explaining why you need the condition removed. Once your amendment request is approved, you will receive a new study permit with the correct conditions.

After receiving your amended study permit, you can apply to Service Canada for a Social Insurance Number (SIN). This is necessary to be paid for work in Canada. It is important to note that working more than 24 hours per week is a violation of your study permit conditions, and you may lose your student status and face other consequences if you do not comply.

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