Ibrahim Gardner
International students in Canada are allowed to work, but they must meet certain requirements. Students must have a valid study permit and, in some cases, a work permit. The number of hours they can work depends on whether they are working during the semester or during scheduled breaks, and whether they are working on-campus or off-campus. Working in Canada can help international students gain practical work experience, build their professional networks, and may even help them stay and work in Canada after graduation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work permit | International students in Canada can work without a work permit if their study permit mentions that they can work on or off campus. |
| Work hours | Students can work full-time or unlimited hours on-campus and up to 24 hours per week off-campus. |
| Work during breaks | Students can work full-time during scheduled breaks/holidays. |
| Work eligibility | Students must be enrolled full-time to be eligible to work. |
| Work types | Students can work in paid collaborative projects with Canadian companies or non-profit organizations. |
| Work benefits | Working in Canada helps students develop business contacts, gain practical experience, and build their professional network. |
| Work after graduation | Students may be eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit that allows them to work in Canada for up to three years after graduation. |
| Work permit amendment | If the study permit does not authorize work, students can request an amendment and then apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) before starting work. |
| Work restrictions | Students enrolled only in English or French as a second language (ESL/FSL) programs cannot work off-campus. |
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What You'll Learn
Work permit requirements
International students in Canada are allowed to work off-campus without a work permit if 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 not needing a full course load to complete your program. Students are allowed to work off-campus up to 24 hours per week without a work permit. Working more than 24 hours per week is a violation of your study permit conditions and may result in losing your student status.
If your study permit does not allow you to work off-campus, you can request an amendment to have this condition removed. There is a fee for making this change. If you are enrolled only in an English or French as a Second Language (ESL/FSL) program, you cannot work off-campus. International students in ESL/FSL programs are also not eligible for a work permit under the Co-op Work Permit Program.
If you are requesting a work permit to work in a designated occupation, such as health services or with children, you must complete and pass a medical exam before submitting your application. Work permits are also issued under specific programs funded by Canadian government agencies, such as the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC).
If you are eligible, an open work permit can be issued with the institution listed as the employer. To be eligible for a work permit under a co-op or internship program, you must have a valid study permit, and your intended employment must be an essential part of an academic, vocational, or professional training program.
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Work hours and restrictions
International students in Canada have the option to work on or off-campus. If you want to work in Canada, you must have a valid study permit and/or work permit.
Work Permits
If you don't have a work permit, you will be able to start working when you start studying if your study permit has a line that says you can work in Canada on or off-campus. If your permit does not allow you to work, you can request an amendment of your study permit. You can also apply for urgent processing if you're at risk of losing an employment opportunity and your study permit is not amended on time.
Social Insurance Number (SIN)
If you have received a job offer, you must apply for a SIN before you can receive earnings and benefits. To apply for a SIN, international students need their original passport, study permit, and a document to confirm their address.
Work Hours
Students are allowed to work off-campus for up to 24 hours per week without a work permit, provided they are full-time students at a designated learning institution (DLI). Students with a part-time enrolment are not authorized to work, except in their final semester before graduating if they have been continuously enrolled full-time in every other semester.
During scheduled breaks/holidays (winter and summer holidays and spring break), international students can work full-time. There is no set number of hours per week for full-time work, and students are allowed to work overtime and for more than one employer. However, working more than 24 hours per week during the regular term is a violation of your study permit conditions, and you may lose your student status and be asked to leave the country.
Work Restrictions
Students enrolled only in English or French as a second language (ESL/FSL) programs cannot work off-campus. Additionally, if your study permit has a condition that says you are "not authorized to work in childcare, primary/secondary school teaching, health field occupations", you cannot work in those industries until the condition is removed. To do so, you must undergo a medical exam by a panel physician and apply to change the conditions of your study permit.
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On-campus vs off-campus work
International students in Canada have the option to work on or off-campus. To work in Canada, international students need to obtain a Social Insurance Number (SIN) in addition to the necessary immigration documents.
On-campus work
On-campus work includes any job within the boundaries of the campus where an international student is enrolled. An on-campus employer can be the university (e.g. library, bookstore, department, registrar’s office, athletic centre, residence) or a private business located on campus that substantially serves the university community (e.g. coffee shops, restaurants or contractors providing services to the university).
International students are eligible to work on campus without a work permit if they are full-time students. There are no restrictions on the number of hours that an international student can work on campus as long as they meet the eligibility criteria. Students must stop working on the day they no longer meet the eligibility criteria.
Off-campus work
To work off-campus, international students must meet all the eligibility criteria. Students and their employers must ensure they can work off-campus without a work permit before starting work. If an international student starts working off-campus but does not meet the requirements, they may have to leave Canada. Students can only start working in Canada when their study program has started.
As of November 8, 2024, international students who are eligible to work off-campus can work up to 24 hours per week during the regular academic year. Students may work full-time during scheduled breaks between full-time terms (e.g. winter/summer holidays, spring break). If a student is enrolled in a continuous program without scheduled breaks, they may only work a maximum of 24 hours per week during the entire program of study.
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Work eligibility and enrolment
International students in Canada are allowed to work both on and off-campus, provided they meet certain requirements. Students must have a valid study permit and be enrolled full-time at a designated learning institution (DLI). As of November 8, 2024, students are allowed to work off-campus for up to 24 hours per week without a work permit. Students can work remotely for an employer outside Canada, provided they meet the conditions of their study permit, and this does not count towards their 24 hours per week off-campus work limit.
To work in Canada with only a study permit, students must check if their permit allows them to work. If not, they may lose their permit if they start working. Students can request an amendment to their study permit if they want to work without a work permit. They can also apply for urgent processing if they are at risk of losing an employment opportunity.
Students who are enrolled part-time in their final semester before graduating and who have been continuously enrolled full-time every other semester are authorized to work. Students who do not meet this requirement can only work in their final semester if they are enrolled full-time. Students with a required work placement in their program should apply for a co-op work permit, which is free and gives them the flexibility to do their work placement outside of the temporary policy dates.
To work in Canada, students need a Social Insurance Number (SIN), which is a nine-digit number that allows employers to process payroll and inform the Canadian Revenue Agency about earnings. To apply for a SIN, students need their original passport, study permit, and a document confirming their address.
International students are usually considered non-residents for tax purposes and must mail their tax returns to the tax office. Their employer is required to deduct taxes from their income. Students must keep track of their working hours, and working more than 24 hours per week is a violation of the study permit conditions. Students may lose their student status and may not be approved for future permits.
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Work experience and benefits
Working in Canada as an international student can provide you with practical work experience and help you build your network. It may even help you stay and work in Canada after your studies. International students are usually considered non-residents for tax purposes, and as a non-resident, you need to mail your tax returns to the tax office.
To work in Canada, you need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) and a valid study permit with a condition allowing you to work. If your study permit does not have this condition, you must request an amendment. You can work off-campus without a work permit if you meet certain requirements, including being a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI) and being in your last semester.
If you are enrolled in a co-op or internship program, your employment cannot form more than 50% of your total program of study. It is recommended that all students with a required work placement in their program apply for a co-op work permit. Upon completion of your program, you may be eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, allowing you to work in Canada for up to three years.
Students are allowed to work off-campus for up to 24 hours per week without a work permit, as long as they meet other requirements. You can work remotely for an employer outside of Canada as long as you meet the conditions of your study permit, and this does not count towards your 24-hour limit. During scheduled breaks, you can work full-time, and you are allowed to work overtime and for more than one employer.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students are allowed to work in Canada.
To work in Canada, international students must have a Social Insurance Number (SIN) and a valid study permit with a condition allowing them to work. Students must also meet other requirements, such as being enrolled full-time at a designated learning institution (DLI).
Yes, international students can work off-campus in Canada for up to 24 hours per week without a work permit, provided they meet certain requirements. These include being a full-time student at a DLI and being in the last semester of their study program.
Yes, international students can work on-campus in Canada. There is no set number of hours per week for full-time work on-campus.
Working in Canada as an international student can provide practical work experience, help build professional networks, and may even lead to immigration opportunities after graduation.
