As an international student in Canada, you may be able to work for yourself during your studies without obtaining a permit. Canada’s immigration policy has provided the opportunity to gain valuable work experience for those students who have chosen Canada as their study destination.
Working outside the University Campus
With a valid Canadian study permit, a student can qualify to work for an employer outside the campus where they are enrolled. Once eligible for off-campus work, students can work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during university breaks, such as season breaks.
Eligibility Requirements
To work outside the university campus during studies, students must meet the following conditions:
- Having a valid Teaching License;
- Full-Time Study in one of the Designated Learning Institutions (DLI);
- Beginning Studying and Maintaining satisfactory academic Standing as determined by that Institution;
- Studying in an Academy, Skill, or specialized educational Program, which lasted at least six months and led to receiving a Diploma or Certificate of Completion of the Course;
- Having a Social Insurance Number (SIN).
If the status of students changes and they no longer have any of the above conditions, they must leave their work outside the university. Sometimes a student who is no longer studying full-time may be able to continue working outside the university if:
- Has been enrolled as a full-time Student since the Beginning of the Study Period in Canada;
- He is studying part-time because he is in the final Semester of the Training course and no longer needs a full-time Program to complete that.
The following international students are not eligible to work off-campus:
- Students enrolled in English as a Second Language (ESL) or the French as a Second Language (FSL) Course;
- Students taking a prerequisite Course or Program;
- Visiting or Transferring Students at a Designated Learning Institution.
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) determine the status of a full-time student based on the number of hours and credits assigned to complete a diploma or certificate.
Working at the University
International students may be able to work within the university where they are enrolled if they meet particular criteria. For students to work without a work permit in the university campus, they must meet the following conditions:
- Valid Study Permit;
- Having a Social Insurance Number (SIN);
- Enrollment in one of the following Schools as a full-time Student after High School:
- Post-Secondary public Schools, such as Colleges or Universities or (Collège d’Enseignement Général et Professionnel) CEGEP in Quebec
- A private School at the Quebec College Level, which follows the same Rules as public Schools and is at least 50% financed by public financial Aid (semi-public), or
- A Canadian private School that can grant Degrees under provincial Law
On-Campus work is for an employer who stays on the campus or educational institution where the students study. This employer can be a faculty member, a student organization member, a private businessman (the business is on campus), a private contractor providing services to the university, or generally self-employment on campus.
Work in Canada as an Assistant or Intern
Students undertaking a training program at DLI Canada, which requires mandatory work or an internship, must apply for an assistantship or internship permit in addition to a valid study permit. So it’s better to know more about internship permits in Canada.
Work Permit after Graduation
Students can be given a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) after graduation. In some cases, the spouse of a student studying full-time may be eligible for a work visa.