In Canada, international students are allowed to work on and off-campus while studying, as long as they have a valid study permit with authorization to work.
Summary
In general, full-time international students enrolled in a designated learning institution (DLI) with a valid study permit are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions, and full-time during scheduled breaks, such as summer or winter holidays. This means they can work up to 40 hours per week during scheduled breaks.
On the other hand, international students enrolled in an English or French as a Second Language (ESL/FSL) program or a general interest course that doesn’t lead to a degree, diploma, or certificate at a DLI, are not allowed to work off-campus.
There are a few exceptions to these rules. For instance, students who have a co-op or internship component as part of their program may be eligible to work off-campus without a work permit. This is because their co-op or internship is considered an essential part of their program of study.
Similarly, international students who have completed their program of study and have applied for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) may be eligible to work full-time while they wait for their PGWP application to be processed.
It’s important to note that working more than the allowed hours can have serious consequences, including deportation from Canada. Therefore, it’s crucial that international students understand and comply with the regulations surrounding work permits.
Working in Canada
- Unless you are a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident or holder of a special status, you cannot work without a work permit.
- Check your Study Permit. It would state whether or not you can work.
- If it doesn’t state so, you can have it amended to include the privilege to work. There is no fee to seek this amendment but you will have to provide reasons why this privilege should be afforded to you.
- Once this has been cleared, you can work without a work permit.
Working Off Campus in Canada
You can work if
- You’re a full-time student at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
- You’re enrolled in a post-secondary academic, vocational or professional training program or, in Quebec,
- a secondary-level vocational training program
- Your study program is at least 6 months long and leads to a certificate, diploma or degree
- You have a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- You can also work if you are a part-time student if you meet the following requirements:
- You are studying at a DLI
- You meet all of the requirements above, except the requirement to be a full-time student,
- You are a part-time student because
- You’re in the last semester of your study program and you don’t need a full course load to complete your program and
- You were a full-time student in your program in Canada, up until your last semester
NOTE: You can only start working in Canada when your study program has started, not before that.