Work While Studying

Working while studying in Canada

Working while studying in Canada can help you support yourself financially, meet new people, and build connections and experience that will make you stand out in the job market later on. Most international students in Canada are allowed to work off-campus for up to 20 hours per week (or 24 hours per week starting in Fall 2024) and full-time during scheduled breaks without needing a separate work permit.

Before you start your job search, read on to learn more about working in Canada as an international student.

Eligibility

International students in Canada with a valid study permit who are enrolled full-time at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) can work off-campus without needing a work permit. This means you can work for any employer in any occupation anywhere in Canada. Additionally, international students can also work on campus if they wish.

Get a Social Insurance Number (SIN)

To work in Canada, you need a Social Insurance Number (SIN), a 9-digit number issued by the Government of Canada. To apply for a SIN to work off-campus, your study permit must include one of the following conditions:

“May work 20 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.”
“May accept employment on or off-campus if meeting eligibility criteria, per paragraph R186(f), (v) or (w) and must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.”

Working On-Campus in Canada

You can begin working in Canada as an international student only after you have started your study program. You are not permitted to work before your studies commence. To work on-campus, your study permit must include a condition that states you are allowed to work on- or off-campus.

Eligibility for On-Campus Work

You can work on-campus without a work permit if you meet the following criteria:

You are a full-time post-secondary student at one of the following institutions:
- A public post-secondary school, such as a college, university, trade or technical school, or CEGEP in Quebec.
- A private post-secondary school in Quebec that operates under the same regulations as public schools in Quebec.
- A private or public secondary or post-secondary institution in Quebec offering qualifying programs of 900 hours or longer leading to a diploma of vocational studies (DVS) or an attestation of vocational specialization (AVS).
- A Canadian private school that is legally authorized to award degrees under provincial law (such as associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, or doctorates), but only if the student is enrolled in a program leading to a degree authorized by the province. Note that this may not include all programs of study offered by the private institution.
You have a valid study permit or maintained status.
Your initial study permit includes printed conditions that allow you to work on-campus.
You have a Social Insurance Number (SIN).

Work Off Campus: Requirements and Guidelines

Before beginning off-campus work, both you and your employer must confirm that you meet the necessary requirements. Failing to comply with these regulations could result in your removal from Canada.

When You Can Start Working

You are only permitted to work in Canada once your study program has commenced. Employment is not allowed before your studies begin. If your study permit includes conditions that allow you to work during your studies, you do not need an additional work permit to work off campus.

Eligibility for Off-Campus Work

You can work off campus without a work permit if you meet the following criteria:

You are a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI).
You are enrolled in either:
- A post-secondary academic, vocational, or professional training program, or
- A secondary-level vocational training program (Quebec only).
Your study program is at least six months long and leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate.
You have started your studies.
You have a social insurance number (SIN).

Part-Time Students at a DLI

Part-time students can work off campus if they:

Meet all the above requirements except being a full-time student, and
Are part-time because:
- They are in their last semester and do not need a full course load to complete their program, and
- They were a full-time student in Canada until their final semester.

Working Hours for Off-Campus Employment

During regular school terms or semesters, you are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week. You may have more than one job to fulfill these hours, as long as you adhere to the conditions of your study permit.

Co-op Work Permit

Co-op Work Permit Requirements for International Students in Canada

While most international students in Canada do not need a separate work permit to work during their studies, there is an important exception for those whose study programs include mandatory Co-op or internship work placements. In these cases, students must obtain a Co-op work permit in addition to their study permit.

Obtaining a Co-op Work Permit

To acquire a Co-op work permit, you must have a valid study permit and a letter from your university or college confirming that work placements are a required component of your program for graduation.

Issuance with Study Permit

The Co-op work permit can be issued simultaneously with your study permit. If your acceptance letter indicates that a Co-op or internship placement is a mandatory part of your program, your work permit application may be processed along with your study permit application.

Applying for a Co-op Work Permit Separately

If you have already obtained your study permit, you can still apply for a Co-op work permit either online or by paper. Your university or college can assist you with this process, as they often help many international students apply for the permit each year due to the integration of these placements into study programs.