
International students in Canada are allowed to work part-time, which can help them develop business contacts, gain practical experience, and build their network. Working in Canada can even help international students immigrate there after they graduate. To work in Canada, international students must have a valid study permit that includes authorization to work in Canada. They can work on-campus or off-campus, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. Students can work up to 24 hours per week off-campus without a work permit, and there is no limit to the number of hours they can work on-campus.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work hours | 20 hours per week during regular terms and semesters; full-time during breaks |
| Work permit | Required; included in study permit |
| Work location | On-campus and off-campus |
| Eligibility | Full-time student at a designated learning institution; registered in a post-secondary program; minimum program length of 6 months; valid SIN |
| Additional benefits | Gain practical work experience, build professional networks, and increase employability |
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What You'll Learn

International students working off-campus
International students in Canada are allowed to work off-campus without a work permit, provided they meet certain requirements. These include being a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI) and being in the last semester of their study program, where a full course load is not required for completion. Students must ensure they meet all requirements for working while studying, and both they and their employer must confirm that they can work off-campus without a permit before starting work. Working off-campus before meeting these requirements may result in the student having to leave Canada.
To work off-campus, international students must have a valid study permit that includes the condition for off-campus work. Students must be enrolled full-time at an eligible DLI and in a post-secondary academic, vocational, or professional training program. Additionally, they must apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to work in Canada. This can be done by requesting to have the necessary conditions added to their study permit.
International students can work up to 24 hours per week off-campus without a work permit. They can also work full-time during regular breaks, such as summer and winter holidays, without any limit on their work hours. However, they must be enrolled as full-time students both before and after the break to work unlimited hours during this period. It is important to note that working more than 24 hours per week outside of these breaks is a violation of the study permit conditions.
Working in Canada as an international student offers several benefits, including gaining practical work experience and building professional networks. It can also facilitate immigration to Canada after graduation. Additionally, students can explore opportunities like co-op programs and internships, which provide valuable on-the-job training and enhance their overall educational experience in the country.
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Study permits and work
International students with a valid study permit can work off-campus for up to 24 hours per week without a work permit. However, they must meet other requirements, including being a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI) and ensuring that their study permit allows them to work. If you are on an authorised leave from your studies or switching schools, you cannot work off-campus.
To work in Canada, you need a Social Insurance Number (SIN), a nine-digit number provided by the Canadian government. To obtain a SIN, your study permit must state that you are allowed to work off-campus. You can request to add this condition to your study permit if you are eligible.
If you are enrolled in 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, a letter from your designated learning institution confirming that work placements are required for your degree, and if your co-op or internship comprises 50% or less of your total program of study.
Your study permit will indicate whether you are eligible to work during your studies and the conditions, such as the length of your program and whether the work is on or off-campus. As an international student, you may be eligible to work up to 24 hours per week off-campus while classes are in session. Additionally, you can work unlimited hours during scheduled breaks, such as summer and winter holidays, provided you are a full-time student before and after the break.
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Working during scheduled breaks
International students in Canada are allowed to work full-time during scheduled breaks, such as summer or winter holidays, without any limit on the number of hours they can work. However, to be eligible for this, students must be enrolled full-time both before and after the break. For instance, students cannot work before starting their first semester.
Students who are on an authorized leave from their studies or are in the process of switching schools are not considered full-time and hence, cannot work off-campus during this period. They can only return to work once they resume their studies.
To work off-campus, international students must have a Social Insurance Number (SIN), a 9-digit number provided by the Government of Canada. Students can apply for a SIN if they meet the eligibility criteria for off-campus work outlined in their study permit. They must also ensure that they meet all other requirements for working while studying, as failing to do so may result in having to leave the country.
International students can also work on-campus in addition to off-campus employment, provided they meet the necessary eligibility criteria. Additionally, students can work unlimited hours remotely for an employer based outside Canada, as long as they comply with the conditions of their study permit.
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Co-op work permits
International students in Canada can apply for a co-op work permit if they meet the following criteria:
- They have a valid study permit.
- Working is integrated into their study program in Canada.
- They have a letter from their designated learning institution confirming that all students in their program need to complete work placements to obtain their degree.
- Their co-op or internship placement constitutes 50% or less of their total study program.
Students can apply for a co-op work permit at the same time as their study permit. Their acceptance letter must confirm that a co-op or internship placement is part of their program's curriculum. They can then apply for a study permit and their co-op work permit will be processed alongside it.
If students have already applied for their study permit, they can apply for their co-op work permit later in their program. However, it is recommended that they apply sufficiently in advance of their intended start date, as applications can take time to process, and students cannot begin their placement without a valid co-op work permit. Applications can be submitted online or by mail. There is no fee for obtaining a co-op work permit.
A co-op work permit is an open work permit that allows students to work anywhere in Canada, as long as the work is a mandatory requirement of their program. If a specific location is listed on the permit, the student can only work at that location. If they wish to work elsewhere, they must apply to change the conditions of their work permit by applying for a new one from within Canada.
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Tax refunds
International students in Canada are typically considered residents or non-residents for tax purposes. This distinction is important when it comes to filing taxes and tax refunds.
If you are an international student who has established significant residential ties with Canada, you are considered a resident for tax purposes. This means that you are eligible for benefits and credits such as the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) credit, tuition carry-forward credits, and other provincial credits or tuition rebates. You are required to file a tax return and report all income from Canadian and international sources. By filing a tax return, you can claim any overpayment of tax as a refund.
If you are an international student who does not have significant residential ties with Canada and stays in the country for less than 183 days during the year, you are considered a non-resident for tax purposes. Non-residents must declare their net income earned outside of Canada on their tax return to avail of non-refundable tax credits. If you earned more than 10% of your income outside of Canada, you cannot avail of these credits. As a non-resident, you only need to file a tax return if you received income from Canadian sources and paid taxes on it, in which case you can claim a refund for any overpayment.
It is important to note that even if you did not earn any income in Canada, it is recommended to file a tax return to determine your eligibility for certain credits and benefits. Additionally, not filing a tax return when needed could result in fines and penalties, and may impact future visa applications.
To file your tax return and claim any refunds, you will need certain documents, including your Social Insurance Number (SIN) or Individual Tax Number (ITN), income tax slips (T4 or T4A), interest tax slips (T3 or T5), and tuition receipt (T2202).
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students can work in Canada, but they must meet certain requirements. These include having a valid study permit that includes a condition stating they are authorised to work in Canada, and being a full-time student.
International students in Canada can work up to 24 hours per week off-campus, and there is no limit to the number of hours they can work on-campus. During scheduled breaks, such as holidays, there is no limit on the number of hours students can work.
To get a work permit, international students must have a valid study permit and be enrolled in a full-time study program. They may also need to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) from Service Canada. If the student is in a co-op program, they will need a letter from their designated learning institution confirming that all students in their program need to complete work placements to get their degree.




































