Ibrahim Gardner
International students in Canada are allowed to work, but there are several conditions and requirements that must be met. Students can work on-campus or off-campus, and there are different rules for each. Students must ensure they are complying with the conditions of their study permit, which outlines whether they are eligible to work and how many hours they can work. Students may need to apply for a work permit or amend their study permit to include work authorization. The number of hours international students can work off-campus has recently increased to a maximum of 24 hours per week. Students must also be aware of the definition of 'work' in Canada, which includes volunteer positions, internships, and unpaid work, and may include long-distance work for an employer outside of Canada.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work permit required | Yes, unless you are a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI) and in your last semester |
| Work hours | Up to 24 hours per week off-campus; full-time on-campus |
| Work during breaks | Full-time during breaks |
| Work permit application | Requires a valid study permit, a letter from the designated learning institution confirming work placements, and co-op or internship comprising 50% or less of the total program of study |
| SIN application | Requires a study permit with remarks authorizing work |
| Work authorization | Required for volunteer positions, internships, and unpaid work |
| Work eligibility | Students must be enrolled full-time |
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What You'll Learn
Work permits and amendments
As an international student in Canada, you may be eligible to work while studying. There are different requirements for working on-campus and off-campus. “On-campus” refers to all the buildings on your university or college campus, while "off-campus" refers to the parts of your town or city that are not part of the university or college campus.
Work permits
If you are enrolled full-time in a program in Canada, you can work off-campus without a work permit for up to 24 hours per week. However, you must meet other requirements for working while studying. You must be a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI), and your study permit should authorise you to work on and off-campus. If your study permit does not have this remark, you must request an amendment to your study permit and then apply for a SIN from Service Canada before you can start working.
If you are enrolled in a co-op degree program, you can apply for a co-op work permit if you have a valid study permit, your working is integrated into your study program, and you have a letter from your designated learning institution confirming that all students in your program need to complete work placements to get their degree.
Amendments
If your study permit does not authorise you to work, you must request an amendment. For example, if your study permit does not allow you to work in specific industries, such as childcare, primary/secondary school teaching, or health field occupations, you must undergo a medical exam by a panel physician and apply to change the conditions of your study permit.
If you were initially enrolled in prerequisite courses and were then accepted into a full-time study program, you could apply to have the condition of not being allowed to work off-campus removed from your study permit. You must apply to change the conditions of your study permit, and there is a fee for this change. You must change the conditions before applying for a SIN.
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Working off-campus
As an international student in Canada, you can work off-campus without a work permit if you meet the following requirements:
- You are a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI)
- You are in your last semester of your study program and do not need a full course load to complete your program
- You are not on an authorised leave from your studies, nor are you switching schools
- You are not studying part-time
If you are eligible to work off-campus, you must still comply with the conditions of your study permit. This includes keeping track of the hours you work, which are defined as any time spent earning wages, collecting a commission, or being on call. From November 8, 2024, international students in Canada are allowed to work off-campus for up to 24 hours per week without a work permit.
If you are not eligible to work off-campus, you may be able to change the conditions of your study permit. You must apply for this change and pay a fee. Once the change has been approved, you can then apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) from Service Canada. You will need one of the following remarks on your study permit:
- May work 24 hours per week off-campus or full-time during regular breaks if meeting criteria outlined in paragraph 186(v) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR)
- May accept employment on or off-campus if meeting eligibility criteria, per paragraph 186(f), (v) or (w) of the IRPR, and must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria
If you are enrolled in a co-op program at a college or university in Canada, you can apply for a co-op work permit. To be eligible, you must have a valid study permit, a letter from your designated learning institution confirming that work placements are necessary to obtain your degree, and your co-op or internship must make up 50% or less of your total program of study.
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Working on-campus
To work on-campus in Canada as an international student, you must have a valid study permit that authorises you to work. If your study permit does not include this, you must request an amendment. You can then apply for a SIN (Social Insurance Number) from Service Canada. This is a key requirement to start working in Canada.
There is no set number of hours per week that counts as 'full-time' for students working on-campus. However, you can only work up to 24 hours per week off-campus during an academic term.
You can work on-campus and off-campus as long as you respect the 24-hour weekly maximum for off-campus work. You can work unlimited hours on-campus.
If you are enrolled in a co-op program at a college or university, you can apply for a co-op work permit. This requires a valid study permit, a letter from your designated learning institution, and confirmation that work placements are necessary to complete your degree. Your co-op or internship must also make up 50% or less of your total program of study.
If you are an international student with a spouse or common-law partner who would like to work in Canada while you study, they can apply for a work permit through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
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Co-op and internship permits
International students in Canada who are enrolled in a study program that requires a mandatory work placement or internship must apply for a co-op work permit in addition to a Canadian study permit. This is a separate work permit, distinct from the authorization to work part-time that is generally included in Canadian study permits. The co-op work permit may only be used for work that is essential to the program of study.
To be eligible for a co-op work permit, you must meet the following conditions:
- You have a valid study permit.
- You are required to work in order to complete your study program in Canada.
- You have a letter from your school that confirms that all students in your program need to complete work placements to get their degree.
- Your co-op placement or internship totals 50% or less of your study program.
You can apply for a co-op work permit at the same time as your study permit. 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. You must apply online for your co-op work permit in most cases. You can start working even if your study permit and co-op work permit applications are still being processed. However, due to processing times, it is recommended that you apply for your co-op work permit in advance of the intended start date of your placement, as you cannot begin the placement without it.
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Self-employment and volunteering
As an international student in Canada, you may be eligible to work as a self-employed individual or start your own business. However, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, you must ensure that your activities are not considered "work" under Canadian immigration regulations. This definition is not based on payment but on how competitive your activities are in the labour market. Even volunteer positions, internships, and unpaid work might be considered work if they are normally performed by paid employees. Therefore, if your volunteer position or self-employment is considered work, you must have the proper work authorisation before starting.
If you are self-employed, it is your responsibility to track your hours of work and ensure that you are complying with the conditions of your study permit. This includes not working more hours than you are authorised to work. You may need to apply for a work permit if your activities are considered work, and work permits unrelated to studies can be difficult to obtain and may take a long time to process. You can refer to the IRCC website for more information on the requirements for work permits. Additionally, if you are planning to start your own business, you can check the provincial government's website for resources and guidance.
If you are enrolled in a co-op program at a college or university, you may be eligible for a co-op work permit. This applies if you have a valid study permit, your program includes working as part of your course of study, and your designated learning institution confirms that work placements are necessary for your degree. Your co-op or internship must comprise 50% or less of your total program of study. The work permit required for an internship is the same as that for co-op students.
It is important to note that working while studying in Canada has specific requirements for both on-campus and off-campus work. "On-campus" refers to all the buildings on your university or college campus, while "off-campus" refers to any location outside of the campus in your town or city. To work off-campus, you may need a remark on your study permit authorising off-campus employment, and you must meet certain conditions, such as being a full-time student at a designated learning institution. As of November 8, 2024, students are allowed to work off-campus up to 24 hours per week without a work permit.
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Frequently asked questions
In Canada, the definition of work 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, even if you are not paid.
A SIN is a 9-digit number that the Government of Canada gives you. You need one to work in Canada. To apply for a SIN to work off-campus, you must have printed on your study permit that you may work 24 hours per week off-campus.
A study permit is a document that allows you to study in Canada. You can apply to study in Canada as an international student and extend your study permit.
You can work off-campus without a work permit if you are a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI) and meet other requirements for working while studying. You can work a maximum of 24 hours per week off-campus.
You can gain work experience through internships, co-op placements, or by starting your own business. You may need a work permit for these, so be sure to check the requirements.
