Lana Oconnell
International students in Canada can work on-campus or off-campus during their studies if they have a valid study permit and meet other specific criteria. After graduating, international students can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) to gain valuable Canadian work experience. The validity of the work permit depends on the length of the study program, ranging from eight months to three years. To obtain a work permit, international students must follow specific application procedures, including paying biometrics fees and providing necessary documentation. Additionally, a Social Insurance Number (SIN) is required to work in Canada and access government programs and benefits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work permit duration | Depends on the length of the study program (e.g., a four-year degree program may be eligible for a three-year work permit) |
| Eligibility | Must have graduated from a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution (DLI), maintained full-time status, and applied within 180 days of completing the program |
| Application process | Pay the biometrics fee, receive and use the Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL), book an appointment at an official biometric collection location |
| Validity | Cannot exceed the validity period of the applicant's passport |
| Work locations | On-campus or off-campus (up to 24 hours per week) |
| Social Insurance Number (SIN) | Required for international students to work in Canada and access government benefits |
| Co-op or internship programs | Work must be an essential part of an academic, professional, or vocational training program offered by a DLI; a co-op work permit is needed |
| Research, educational, or training programs | Work permits issued under specific programs funded by CIDA, IDRC, Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., NRC, and NSERC |
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What You'll Learn
Eligibility requirements for a post-graduation work permit
To be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), you must meet all the eligibility requirements. Here are the key requirements to obtain a PGWP in Canada:
Firstly, you must have completed a degree program or another eligible program at a designated learning institution. The program must have been at least 8 months long (or 900 hours for Quebec programs), and you must have maintained full-time student status in Canada during each semester of your study program. You can study part-time during your final semester. If your program is not a master's or doctoral degree and has a flexible timeframe, you must provide a letter of explanation.
Secondly, your study permit must be valid at some point during the 180 days after you graduate and before you submit your PGWP application. If your study permit will expire before you receive your marks, you can apply for a visitor record to stay in Canada longer, or you can apply to restore your student status. You must apply for the PGWP within 180 days of confirmation that you completed your program.
Thirdly, you must meet the minimum language proficiency requirements set by the government. This includes demonstrating proficiency in English or French with a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 5 in English or Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 5 in French across all four language areas.
Finally, your program of study must meet certain field of study requirements. If you applied for your study permit on or after November 1, 2024, your program must be linked to occupations in long-term shortage in Canada. If you applied before this date, you are exempt from this requirement.
It is important to note that the PGWP is issued only once in a lifetime and the length of the permit ranges from 8 months to 3 years based on the length of your full-time program. The work permit will only be issued for the period your passport is valid, so ensure your passport is valid for the full length of your eligibility.
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Work permits for co-op or internship programs
International students pursuing a study program at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada that requires a mandatory work placement or internship must apply for a co-op work permit in addition to a Canadian Study Permit. The co-op work permit is a separate work permit, unrelated to the authorization to work part-time that is generally included in Canadian study permits. It is important to note that an individual applying for a co-op work permit must hold a valid study permit. The co-op work permit may only be used for work that is essential to the program of study. Any other work undertaken by an international student, including an internship or work placement at an organization unrelated to the educational institution, is covered by the work authorization related to the study permit.
International students enrolled in English as a Second Language, French as a Second Language, or general interest courses and programs are not eligible to obtain a work permit under the Co-op Work Permit Program. International students, scholars, and scientists may also obtain work permits for work related to a research, educational, or training program. These work permits are issued under specific programs funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the International Development Research Centre of Canada (IDRC), Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
If your study permit is already approved and you don’t have a co-op work permit to complete the mandatory work component of your program, you can still complete a co-op placement outside Canada. You cannot complete a co-op placement in Canada without a co-op work permit. If you haven’t already applied for your study permit, you can apply for your co-op work permit at the same time. Your acceptance letter from your designated learning institution must confirm that a co-op or internship placement is part of your program’s curriculum. You can then apply for a study permit, and your co-op work permit will be processed with your study permit application.
International students may work on campus with their study permit if they are full-time students in a degree/diploma/certificate program. The study permit must be valid and have a condition authorizing the student to work on campus. There is no time limit for on-campus work. A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is required for on-campus employment. If an international student has received a job offer on or off-campus, the student must apply for a SIN before receiving earnings and benefits. To apply for a SIN, international students need their original passport, study permit, and a document to confirm their address.
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Applying for a Social Insurance Number
As an international student in Canada, you will need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to work and access government programs and services. It is a nine-digit number that allows your employer to process payroll and inform the Canadian Revenue Agency about your earnings.
How to Apply for a Social Insurance Number
You can apply for a SIN online, by mail, or in person at a Service Canada Centre. Applying online is the quickest option, and applicants can view their SIN on their My Service Canada Account within 5 days. If you apply online, you may submit digital copies of the required documents. These must be clear, legible, and complete, and in English or French. If the documents are not in English or French, they must be translated, and you must submit an attestation or affidavit from the translator.
If you apply by mail or in person, you must submit original documents.
The required documents include:
- Original passport
- Study permit
- Document to confirm your address
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Divorce certificate
- Adoption order
- Notarial certificate
- Certificate of Indian Status
- Diplomatic identity card
- Visitor record
You can find the full list of required documents on the Government of Canada website.
Additional Information
If you are under the age of majority in your province or territory and applying for a SIN, you must provide all required documents. If you cannot, a representative must apply on your behalf.
You can also apply for a SIN at Toronto Pearson International Airport, and at other select airports during peak seasons, including Montréal-Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport, Vancouver International Airport, Calgary International Airport, Edmonton International Airport, and Halifax Stanfield International Airport.
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Work permits for research, educational or training programs
International students in Canada can obtain work permits for work related to a research, educational, or training program. These work permits are issued under specific programs funded by the following:
- Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
- International Development Research Centre of Canada (IDRC)
- Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd.
- National Research Council of Canada (NRC)
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
Work permits issued under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program allow international students who have graduated from eligible Canadian post-secondary institutions to gain valuable Canadian work experience. The validity of the work permit depends on the length of your study program and cannot exceed the validity of your passport. For example, if you studied for nine months, you may get a work permit for nine months. Students graduating from a four-year degree program may be eligible for a three-year work permit.
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, professional, or vocational training program offered by a Designated Learning Institution. A co-op work permit can be for a paid or unpaid placement. If you are eligible, an open work permit can be issued with the institution listed as the employer.
If you are a full-time student with a valid study permit, you may be able to work on-campus without an additional work permit. Starting in September 2024, students may work off-campus for up to 24 hours per week if the requirements are met. To work off-campus, you must have a valid study permit with a condition allowing you to do so.
To apply for a work permit, you must pay the biometrics fee and wait for your biometric instruction letter (BIL). You will then need to book an appointment and visit an official biometric collection location.
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Work permits for on-campus or off-campus work
International students in Canada may be eligible to work on-campus or off-campus during their studies. To do so, they must possess a valid study permit and meet specific criteria. The study permit must include a condition authorizing the student to work on-campus or off-campus. Undergraduate and graduate students starting their studies in the summer are permitted to work a maximum of 20 hours per week off-campus, while those starting in September can work off-campus for up to 24 hours per week. There is no time limit for on-campus work.
To obtain a work permit for on-campus or off-campus employment, international students must follow certain steps. Firstly, they need to pay the biometrics fee and wait for their biometric instruction letter (BIL). After receiving the BIL, they must schedule an appointment at an official biometric collection location to provide their biometrics. Additionally, students must possess a valid study permit that allows them to work off-campus if they intend to pursue off-campus employment.
It is important to note that international students enrolled in English as a Second Language or French as a Second Language programs are not eligible for a work permit under the Co-op Work Permit Program. However, students participating in certain scholarship and exchange programs, such as the Equal Opportunity Scholarship Program or the Canada-China Scholars Exchanges Program, may have different eligibility criteria.
To work in Canada, international students also require a Social Insurance Number (SIN). This nine-digit number enables individuals to work and access government programs and benefits. Students must present their original passport, study permit, and address confirmation document to apply for a SIN.
After graduating, international students may be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) to gain valuable Canadian work experience. The validity of the PGWP depends on the length of the study program, ranging from eight months to three years. To be eligible, students must meet specific criteria, such as maintaining full-time status and applying within 180 days of completing their studies.
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Frequently asked questions
International students can work in Canada during their studies or after graduation. Students can work on campus or off campus, and some study programs offer co-op or internship work placements.
PGWP stands for Post-Graduation Work Permit. International students can apply for a PGWP after graduating from an eligible Canadian post-secondary institution. The validity period of a PGWP cannot exceed that of the applicant's passport.
To be eligible for a PGWP, you must have completed a study program at a designated learning institution that was at least 8 months long (or 900 hours for Quebec programs). You must have maintained full-time status as a student in Canada during each semester of your study program, and you must apply for your PGWP within 180 days of confirmation that you completed your program of study.
