Ibrahim Gardner
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. Working in Canada can help international students gain practical work experience, build their network, and even help them stay and work in Canada after their studies. International students can also apply for a co-op work permit, which allows them to work as part of their study program. After completing their studies, international students can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) to gain Canadian work experience, which may enable them to work in Canada for up to three years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work permit required | Yes, but some international students are allowed to work off-campus without a work permit for up to 24 hours per week. |
| Work permit application requirements | A valid study permit, a letter from the designated learning institution confirming that work placements are necessary to obtain a degree, and a co-op or internship comprising 50% or less of the total study program. |
| Work permit types | Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), CUSMA work permit, Working Holiday Work Permit |
| Work hours | Unlimited on-campus work hours but must follow provincial labour standards. Off-campus work is limited to 24 hours per week. |
| Work eligibility | Full-time students in their final semester who do not need a full course load to complete their program. |
| Work restrictions | Students on authorized leave or switching schools cannot work off-campus. Students who are no longer studying full-time are not eligible to work during the term. |
| Work definition | Any activity for which wages are paid or a commission is earned, or that competes directly with activities of Canadian citizens or permanent residents in the labour market. |
| Work benefits | Gain practical work experience, build a professional network, and increase chances of staying and working in Canada after graduation. |
| Work opportunities | Paid collaborative projects with Canadian companies and non-profit organizations through Mitacs. |
| Work authorization | Required for volunteer positions, internships, and unpaid work that meets IRCC's definition of work. |
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What You'll Learn
On-campus vs off-campus work
International students in Canada have the option to work on or off campus. On-campus work is defined as any job located within the boundaries of the campus where the student is enrolled. This includes jobs with the university itself, such as in the library or bookstore, or with private businesses located on campus, such as coffee shops or restaurants. There are no restrictions on the number of hours that an international student can work on campus, as long as they are a full-time student.
Off-campus work refers to jobs located outside of the university or college campus, in the town or city where the student resides. As of November 8, 2024, international students who are eligible to work off-campus can do so without a work permit and are allowed to work up to 24 hours per week during the regular academic year. Students can work full-time off-campus during scheduled breaks, such as winter or summer holidays, as long as they are enrolled full-time both before and after the break.
To be eligible for off-campus work, students must meet certain requirements, including being a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI) and having a valid study permit that authorises off-campus work. Students must ensure they meet all the requirements for working while studying, as failing to do so may result in losing their student status and having to leave the country.
Students can find information about working on and off-campus from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). They must also obtain a Social Insurance Number (SIN) from Service Canada before starting work in Canada.
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Work permits for spouses/partners
International students in Canada are often eligible to work while studying. This also applies to their spouses or common-law partners, who may be able to work while the student is studying in Canada. The spouse or partner of an international student can apply for a work permit before or after arriving in Canada. This work permit is usually issued for the same length of time as the student's study permit.
Spouses or partners of international students may be eligible for an open work permit, which allows them to work for any employer in Canada, except those listed as ineligible or those that offer erotic entertainment services. To be eligible for an open work permit, the student must have a valid study permit and be enrolled in a master's degree program of 16 months or longer. The spouse or partner must also provide proof of the student's enrolment in a program of study. If the spouse or partner does not meet the eligibility criteria for an open work permit, they may be able to get another type of work permit.
Spouses or partners do not need a job offer to apply for a work permit. In some cases, Canadian visa offices abroad will process spouse/partner work permit applications simultaneously with study permit applications. This requires an additional fee for the work permit and a completed work permit application. Most spouses or partners enter Canada as visitors and then apply for a work permit once in the country. If the spouse or partner does not require a TRV, they may be able to apply for a work permit at the border or airport when entering Canada.
Work permits issued by IRCC may be subject to restrictions, particularly for international students who did not undergo an immigration medical examination before entering Canada. There is a list of occupations and Designated Medical Practitioners on the IRCC website.
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Work permits for internships
International students can work in Canada, and doing so can help them develop business contacts and gain practical experience for the future. It may even help them immigrate to Canada after they graduate. Most international students are eligible to work while studying, but there are different requirements for working on and off campus.
If you are a student and want to do an internship in Canada, you must be studying and registered in a program at a university, college, or trade school. Your internship should be directly linked to your field of study.
If you are a student at a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada, you can apply for a co-op work permit if:
- You have a valid study permit.
- Working is integrated into your study program in Canada.
- You have a letter from your designated learning institution that confirms that all students in your program need to complete work placements to get their degree.
- Your co-op or internship is 50% or less of the total program of study.
If you are not eligible for a co-op work permit, you will need to get a valid work permit. The work permit you need for an internship is the same as the work permit for co-op students.
Canada has a bilateral youth mobility agreement with approximately 35 countries, allowing students to do an internship in Canada as part of their studies back home. This specific internship work permit category is called the International Co-op or internship visa, and belongs to the commonly known program International Experience Canada (IEC).
If you plan to travel to Canada temporarily for an internship, you will need to apply for a visa. The IEC program offers possibilities specifically designed for young people. If you are between 18 and 30/35 years old (depending on your citizenship), you may qualify for this opportunity. Since there is a limited number of spots available, it is important to register and submit a profile early.
The IEC program includes three different types of visas, each with its own benefits. With a Working Holiday work permit, you can participate in both paid and unpaid internships, work for multiple employers, and study in Canada for up to six months.
To apply for an international co-op work permit, you will need to prove that you have an internship offer in Canada. Your employer must follow the requirements from IEC and pay the relevant fees, so you become eligible for this work permit.
Upon your arrival in Canada, you will need to have a Social Insurance Number (SIN). This is a 9-digit number that the Government of Canada gives you, and you need one to work in Canada.
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Work permits 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 meet other requirements for working while studying. These requirements include being a full-time student at a designated learning institution and being in the last semester of your study program. You and your employer must ensure that you can work off-campus without a permit before you start working. If you fail to meet the requirements, you may have to leave Canada.
If you are a self-employed international student, you are responsible for keeping track of the hours you work off-campus and complying with the conditions of your study permit. If you are not eligible to work off-campus, but your study situation changes, you may be able to change the conditions of your study permit. You must apply for this change, and there is a fee involved.
If you are part of a co-op program at a college or university, you can apply for a co-op work permit if you have a valid study permit, are enrolled in a program where working is integrated into your studies, and have a letter from your designated learning institution confirming that all students in your program need to complete work placements to get their degree. Your co-op or internship must make up 50% or less of your total program of study.
If you have completed your studies and wish to remain in Canada to work, you may be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which will replace your study permit. This will allow you to work in Canada for up to three years, depending on your academic program. With a PGWP, you can pursue various federal and provincial permanent residence avenues, such as submitting an Express Entry profile or applying for specific provincial programs.
It is important to note that the definition of "work" in Canada for immigration purposes is not based on payment but on how competitive your activities are in the labour market. Volunteer positions, internships, and unpaid work might be considered work, and if they meet the definition of work, you must have the right work authorization. Unpaid work hours are counted towards the 24 hours per week of off-campus work you may be eligible for as a full-time student.
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Extending your stay in Canada
International students who want to extend their stay in Canada must submit an application to change conditions or extend their stay. This process can be done online, and the applicant must submit photocopies of their passport pages. The passport must be valid for the period for which the applicant wishes to extend their stay.
International students must also be enrolled as full-time students for the fall and winter terms. It is recommended that the extension process begins at least three months before the expiry date of the applicant's documents. If the student's study permit has lapsed, they can restore their status.
To extend a study permit, students must first renew their CAQ online. They must include transcripts from their former program and their new admission letter. Once this is done, they can apply for an extension of their study permit.
If the student has earned enough credits to graduate, they should apply for a post-graduation work permit. This must be done promptly, or they may not be able to apply for it after their studies.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students can work in Canada, but they must meet certain requirements. Students must have a valid study permit that includes a condition stating they are authorized to work in Canada. They must also be full-time students at a designated learning institution (DLI).
There are several types of work permits available for international students in Canada, including:
- Co-op work permit
- Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
- Working Holiday Work Permit
- CUSMA work permit
Working in Canada as an international student can provide many benefits, including gaining practical work experience, building a professional network, and increasing employability. It can also help international students stay and work in Canada after graduation and even lead to permanent residence.
