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.
In Part 1, we looked at the basics of working in Canada and who of the international students can work while studying. In this part, we will look at who cannot work.
Which International Students Cannot Work in Canada
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.
Who Cannot Work
You can’t work off campus without a work permit if:
- Your study permit says you aren’t authorized to work off campus while you study
- You’re only enrolled in an English or French as a second language (ESL/FSL) program
- You’re only taking general interest courses
- You’re only taking courses required to be accepted into a full-time program
- Your situation changes and you no longer meet all of the requirements to work off campus
- If you’re on an authorized leave from your studies, or you’re switching schools and you’re not studying. You can only return to work once you’re back to studying.
Under these conditions you can work if you do apply and receive a work permit.
Changing Your No-Work Status
You can have your no-work status changed if:
- Your study situation changes
- You’ve changed your study program to one that may allow you to work off campus
- Your study permit says “(T)his permit does not permit the holder to engage in off-campus employment in Canada”. For example, if you had come to Canada to do an English language as a second language (ESL) course and were not allowed to work but now have been approved for a full-study program, you can have this status changed to allow you to work.
You must apply to change the conditions of your study permit. There’s a fee to make this change. You must change the conditions on your permit before you can apply for a SIN.