As a foreign national studying in Canada, you may be eligible to work on and off-campus while completing your studies—and without a work permit, in most cases.
If eligible, you can work unlimited hours on campus and up to 24 hours per week off campus.
Authorization to work while studying, be it on or off campus, must be granted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This information will be indicated in the conditions of your study permit.
Breaking the conditions of your study permit can lead to serious consequences, such as losing your student status, the denial of work permits or study permits in the future, and removal from Canada.
To work in Canada, you are required to obtain a Social Insurance Number (SIN), a nine-digit identifier used for employment, tax reporting, and access to government benefits.
You must wait until your courses have started before beginning any on-campus or off-campus employment.
This article will cover
- Eligibility requirements for on and off campus employment and remote work;
- How internships and co-op placements factor in; and
- When, why, and for how long you are permitted to take authorized leave from your studies.
There are distinct rules and requirements international students must meet to work on campus or off campus. Before we expand on these, please find the definitions for each work type can be found below.
On campus: All buildings and facilities located within the physical grounds of your college or university, such as the cafeteria, student centre, or library.
Off campus: Any location in your town or city that is not part of the university or college campus, such as convenience stores, cinemas, or other local businesses—and self-employment roles like Uber deliveries, dog walking, or tutoring.
