{"id":750,"date":"2014-07-16T15:15:21","date_gmt":"2014-07-16T15:15:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/immigrationca.staging.wpengine.com\/2014\/07\/16\/work-while-you-study\/"},"modified":"2025-09-18T14:43:14","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T18:43:14","slug":"work-while-you-study","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/work-while-you-study\/","title":{"rendered":"Work and Study as an International Student in Canada"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">On This Page You Will Find:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Who can work on-campus in Canada<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Off-campus work eligibility and hours<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Working as a co-op student or intern<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Work options after your study program ends<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/canada-study-portal\/\">International students<\/a> in Canada can gain valuable work experience while studying by working on-campus, off-campus, or through co-op and internship placements. These work opportunities can help you support yourself financially, build your resume, and improve your chances of gaining permanent residence after graduation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This guide explains when and where you can work, how many hours you&#8217;re allowed, and what you need to do to stay within the rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Working On-Campus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You can work on-campus without a separate<a href=\"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/canada-work-visa\/\"> work permit<\/a> if you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Are a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have a valid<a href=\"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/canada-study-portal\/\"> study permit<\/a> with printed conditions allowing on-campus work<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have a Social Insurance Number (SIN)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">You can work for:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your school<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Faculty members<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Student organisations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Yourself (if operating an on-campus business)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Private businesses or contractors offering services to your school<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where you can work<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Normally, only at your primary campus. If you&#8217;re a research or teaching assistant, you may work at affiliated locations (e.g. libraries, hospitals) related to your studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Students in their final semester<\/strong> can still work on-campus even if studying part-time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You must stop working if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You\u2019re no longer a full-time student (except in final semester)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your study permit expires<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You take an authorised leave or switch schools<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Working Off-Campus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As of <strong>November 8, 2024<\/strong>, you can work <strong>up to 24 hours per week off-campus<\/strong> without a work permit if you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Have a valid study permit with printed conditions for off-campus work<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Are enrolled full-time in a post-secondary academic or vocational program (minimum 6 months)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have started your program<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have a SIN<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>You can work full-time off-campus during scheduled school breaks<\/strong> (e.g. summer, winter holidays) if you were a full-time student before and will resume full-time studies after the break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">You can\u2019t work off-campus if you:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Are enrolled in ESL\/FSL or general interest courses<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Haven\u2019t started your program<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Are on leave or not currently studying<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Self-employed students<\/strong> must also count their hours and comply with all work limits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>You may need to request a change to your study permit<\/strong> if the work conditions are missing or incorrect. This must be done before applying for a SIN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Getting a Social Insurance Number (SIN)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A SIN is required for any paid work in Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To apply for a SIN, your <strong>study permit must include one of these conditions<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>May accept employment on or off campus if meeting eligibility criteria as per R186(f), (v) or (w). Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>May work 24 hours per week off campus or full-time during regular breaks if meeting criteria under R186(v).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If these are not printed on your permit, you can request an amendment at no cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">You can apply for a SIN:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Online<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In person at a Service Canada Centre<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>By mail (may take longer)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Work as a Co-op Student or Intern<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If your study program includes mandatory work experience, you can apply for a <strong>co-op work permit<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To qualify, you must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Have a valid study permit<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be enrolled in a program where work placement is required<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have a letter from your school confirming the requirement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure your placement is no more than 50% of your total study program<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>You are not eligible<\/strong> if you&#8217;re in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>ESL\/FSL programs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>General interest courses<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Preparatory courses for another study program<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If ineligible, you\u2019ll need a separate work permit to work in Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Working After Graduation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You may be able to <strong>work full-time after your program ends<\/strong> if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You apply for a<a href=\"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/post-graduation-work-permit\/\"> Post-Graduation Work Permit<\/a> (PGWP) before your study permit expires<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Or, you\u2019re starting a new program within 150 days<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>To qualify, you must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Have completed your current program<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have a letter of acceptance to a new full-time program<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be eligible to work off-campus during your previous studies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> As of <strong>June 21, 2024<\/strong>, you cannot apply for a PGWP at the border. You must apply online from within Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also work remotely for an employer located outside Canada. This does not count toward your 24-hour off-campus work limit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQ<\/h3>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1758220635368\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h4 class=\"rank-math-question \">Can international students work full-time in Canada while studying?<\/h4>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>No, you can work up to 24 hours per week off campus during the school term, and unlimited hours on-campus. Full-time work is only allowed during scheduled breaks.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1758220645005\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h4 class=\"rank-math-question \">Do I need a work permit to work on-campus as a student?<\/h4>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>No, as long as your study permit lists the proper conditions and you meet the eligibility criteria, you can work on-campus without a separate work permit.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1758220649865\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h4 class=\"rank-math-question \">How do I get a Social Insurance Number (SIN) as a student?<\/h4>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>You must have a valid study permit with the correct work conditions printed on it. You can apply online, by mail, or in person at a Service Canada office.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1758220654788\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h4 class=\"rank-math-question \">What is a co-op work permit, and do I need one?<\/h4>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>A co-op work permit is needed if your program requires work experience. You must apply separately and submit a letter from your school confirming the work placement.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1758220660154\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h4 class=\"rank-math-question \">Can I work in Canada after my study program ends?<\/h4>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes, if you apply for a post-graduation work permit or another study permit before your current permit expires. You can then work full-time while awaiting a decision.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Work and study in Canada as an international student in 2025. Learn how to work on-campus, off-campus, or as a co-op student while staying compliant.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":481,"featured_media":128863,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20,99,185],"tags":[78389,78387,78391,78390,78388],"class_list":["post-750","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-c26-canada-immigration","category-c80-canada-immigration-news-articles","category-c161-canada-study-portal","tag-co-op-work-permit-canada","tag-international-student-jobs-canada","tag-part-time-student-work-canada","tag-sin-for-students-canada","tag-work-and-study-in-canada","category-20","category-99","category-185","description-off"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/750","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/481"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=750"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/750\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/128863"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=750"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=750"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=750"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}