Ibrahim Gardner
International students in Canada may be eligible to work while studying and after they graduate. Working in Canada can help students develop business contacts and gain practical experience for the future. Students can work on-campus or off-campus, with different requirements for each. Students must have a valid study permit and meet specific criteria to work in Canada. They may also need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) and a work permit, depending on their situation. Students should carefully review the requirements and restrictions to ensure they comply with the conditions of their study permit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work permit | Required for international students |
| Work hours | Up to 24 hours per week off-campus without a work permit; no limit on-campus |
| Eligibility | Full-time student at a designated learning institution, valid Social Insurance Number (SIN), valid study permit |
| Work types | Paid or unpaid; volunteer work, internships, and unpaid positions may be considered work |
| Additional permits | CUSMA work permit, International Experience Canada, Working Holiday Work Permit |
| Work authorization | On-campus and off-campus work authorization, conditions outlined in study permit |
| Medical exam | Required for certain jobs, such as childcare, teaching, and health occupations |
| Minimum wage | $14-$19 per hour, varies by province and territory |
| Spousal work | Spouse or common-law partner may be able to work during the student's stay |
| Post-graduation | May apply for a post-graduation work permit |
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What You'll Learn
Work permits for students
International students in Canada with a valid study permit are eligible to work while studying. Working in Canada can help students gain practical work experience, build their professional networks, and even help them stay and work in Canada after their studies. There are different requirements for working on-campus and off-campus. "On-campus" refers to all the buildings on the university or college campus, while "off-campus" means parts of the town or city that are not part of the campus.
Off-Campus Work Permits
Foreign students studying full-time on a valid Canadian study permit may be authorised to work off-campus if their school participates in an off-campus work permit program through Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). Students are allowed to work off-campus up to 24 hours per week without a work permit, but they must meet other requirements for working while studying. Students and their employers must ensure they comply with the conditions of their study permit. If the requirements are not met, students may have to leave Canada.
Co-op and Internship Work Permits
Foreign students who are enrolled in a co-op program or internship work program that requires work experience can apply for a co-op work permit. To be eligible, students must have a valid study permit, a letter from their designated learning institution confirming that all students in their program need to complete work placements to get their degree, and their co-op or internship must be 50% or less of their total program of study.
Post-Graduate Work Permits
Foreign 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. Generally, the Canadian work permit will be valid for the same duration as the study permit. Starting November 1, 2024, PGWP applicants will be required to demonstrate a minimum language proficiency in English or French, and their program must be on the list of approved programs.
Work Permits for Spouses of Foreign Students
A spouse accompanying a foreign student on a valid Canadian study permit is entitled to a Canadian study permit or an open work permit, which does not require a job offer. However, there are some restrictions. For example, spouses of master's degree students will only be eligible for work permits if the program is 16 months or longer.
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Work without a permit
International students in Canada are allowed to work off-campus without a work permit, provided they meet certain requirements. From November 8, 2024, students can work up to 24 hours per week without a work permit. To be eligible, students must be full-time students at a designated learning institution (DLI) and in the last semester of their study program. Students must also ensure they meet other requirements for working while studying.
If a student's study permit does not authorise them to work, they can request an amendment to their permit. They will then need to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) from Service Canada before starting work. Students should check their study permit to ensure they meet any conditions or restrictions on the types of jobs or industries they can work in. For example, students who have not had a medical exam by a panel physician may see a condition prohibiting them from working in close contact with people, such as in childcare, agriculture, or healthcare.
International students cannot work off-campus if they are participating in certain scholarship programs funded by the Canadian government or its associated agencies. These include the Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program, the Government of Canada Awards Program, and the Canada-China Scholars Exchange Program. Students who are enrolled part-time, defined as less than 12 credits during an academic term, are also not authorised to work.
Students must also be aware of the number of hours they work, as working more than 24 hours per week is a violation of their study permit conditions. Students who are self-employed are responsible for keeping track of their hours and proving they are complying with the conditions of their study permit. Working more than 24 hours per week can result in losing student status and future study or work permit approvals.
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Work permit amendments
International students in Canada are allowed to work off-campus up to 24 hours per week without a work permit, provided they meet other requirements for working while studying. They can work multiple jobs to make up these hours as long as they continue to meet the conditions of their study permit. Students must be enrolled in a full-time study program at a designated learning institution (DLI) and be in their last semester to be eligible for off-campus work without a permit.
If a student wishes to work more than 24 hours per week, they need to apply for a work permit. Working more hours without a permit is a violation of the study permit conditions and may result in losing student status and future permit approvals. 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 institution confirming that all students in their program must complete work placements to graduate.
Amendments to study permits are generally made to correct errors introduced by IRCC when the documents were issued. For instance, if a student was eligible to work when they entered Canada, but their study permit does not state that they "may work" or "may accept employment," they must amend their permit before working. To be eligible for a study permit amendment, students must meet specific criteria, including being eligible to work in Canada when their permit was issued and having incorrect conditions or remarks related to work on their permit.
To apply for a study permit amendment, students should mail their application using a trackable method, such as Canada Post's Xpresspost service or a courier. This allows them to confirm the receipt of their application by IRCC. After delivery, it is recommended to print or screenshot the delivery confirmation for record-keeping. IRCC will not send a confirmation upon receiving the application. If the amendment request is approved, IRCC will mail the new study permit to the mailing address provided in the application.
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Work hours and conditions
International students in Canada are allowed to work up to 24 hours per week off-campus, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements. This is an increase from the previous limit of 20 hours per week. Students can work in more than one job to make up these hours, as long as they continue to meet the conditions of their study permit.
On-campus work is not counted towards the 24-hour limit, and there is no restriction on the number of hours students can work on-campus, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria. Students with full-time registration status and a valid study permit may be eligible to work on-campus using their study permit.
During scheduled breaks, such as summer or winter holidays, students can work full-time, with no limit on the number of hours. However, to work full-time during breaks, students must be enrolled as full-time students both before and after the break.
Volunteer positions, internships, and unpaid work may be considered work in Canada, even if they are not paid. Unpaid work hours count towards the 24-hour limit.
Students who work in certain industries, such as healthcare, childcare, or agriculture, may need to complete a medical exam and have the right conditions on their study and/or work permit. This is especially important if the work involves close contact with people.
It is important for international students in Canada to carefully review the conditions of their study permit and any applicable work permits to ensure they are complying with the regulations. Working more than 24 hours per week off-campus is a violation of the study permit conditions and can result in losing student status and having to leave the country.
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Work experience and internships
To work in Canada, international students typically need a valid study permit, which includes permission to work on or off-campus. Additionally, a Social Insurance Number (SIN) is required to be legally paid in Canada, and some types of work also require a specific work permit. A co-op or intern work permit can be obtained if certain conditions are met, such as having a valid study permit and a letter from the school confirming that work placements are required for the degree. The co-op placement or internship must also total 50% or less of the study program.
It is important to note that the definition of "work" in Canada for immigration purposes is not based on payment but on the competitiveness of the activities in the labour market. Volunteer positions, internships, and unpaid work might be considered work, and the right work authorization is necessary. International students can work full-time during scheduled breaks, such as summer vacation and winter holidays, which offers a great opportunity to gain more experience and income.
Gaining work experience while studying in Canada has numerous benefits, including enhancing one's resume, making them more competitive in the job market, and providing financial support. It also helps build a professional network, which can lead to job opportunities and career advancement. Additionally, work experience in Canada can increase the chances of obtaining permanent residency through programs like Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
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Frequently asked questions
To work in Canada as an international student, you must have a valid study permit with a remark authorizing you to work on and off campus. If your study permit does not have this remark, you must request an amendment and then apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN).
A Social Insurance Number is a nine-digit number that you need to work in Canada. It allows your employer to process payroll and inform the Canadian Revenue Agency about your earnings.
International students can only work a maximum of 24 hours per week off-campus. Students cannot work more than this average per week, so they cannot work 26 hours one week and 22 hours the next.
