Working While Studying

Canada’s student-friendly work policies are amongst one of the major reasons international students choose Canada as their study destination.

Many international students opt for working while studying to earn an income, as well as to gain valuable Canadian work experience to support their professional growth.

There are many work opportunities available to eligible international students, including on-campus employment, off-campus jobs, co-ops, and internships.

Eligibility Criteria

International students do not need a work permit to work while they study. They are eligible to work in Canada provided that there aren’t any restrictions on their study permit.

Typically, international students can work while studying if they are enrolled as a full-time post-secondary student in a Designated Learning Institution that is over 6 months in duration and leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate.

Eligible international students can work up to 20 hours per week during a regular academic session and full-time during regularly scheduled breaks between academic sessions, such as the summer break. Students cannot start their employment before their studies begin, and require a work permit to resume employment once their study program ends and their study permit expires.

Students are ineligible to work if they are:

• Only enrolled in an English or French as a second language (ESL) program
• Only taking general interest courses
• Only taking courses required to be accepted into a full-time program
• Only enrolled as a part-time student, or
• Have any other restrictions specified on their study permit

The eligibility criteria and requirements may change over time.

On-Campus Employment
"On-campus" refers to all the buildings and offices on the school premises. Full-time students can work on-campus if their study permit indicates that they’re allowed to work on- or off-campus.

Off-Campus Jobs
International students can join the Canadian workforce while studying on a part-time basis if there are no work restrictions on their study permit.

Co-ops and Internships
Some study programs include work experience as part of their curriculum, which is known as a co-op placement or internship. International students can take advantage of these work placements by getting a co-op or intern work permit. Note that some employers also offer unpaid internships as a way to gain work experience.

Working and Staying in Canada After Graduation

International students place post-graduation benefits as an important factor when deciding where to stay. Canada’s foreign-worker policies and post-graduate work programs make it possible for international students to work in Canada after they graduate, and give Canada a competitive advantage over other international education destinations.

The experience international graduates gain – and income derived – from this employment is important to offset their family’s investment and help repay their study loans. The work experience gained after graduation can also help international students qualify for permanent residence in Canada.

Post Graduate Work Permit

The post-graduation work permit (PGWP) allows students who have graduated from eligible programs at designated learning institutions (DLIs) to gain valuable Canadian work experience.

Students graduating from a 2+ year PGWP-eligible academic program can work up to three years following their period for study. Students in an 8-month to 2-year program can obtain a PGWP that is valid for up to the same length as their study program. For example, if a student completed a 9-month program, a work permit may be issued for up to 9-months. Students in a program that is less than 8-months in duration are not eligible for PGWP.

Other Work Permits

If a student is not eligible for the Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP), they may still be able to work in Canada by obtaining an open work permit or an employer-specific work permit.

Paths to Permanent Residence

Canada welcomed more than 286,000 permanent residents in 2017 and plans to welcome over a million new immigrants by 2021. International students can use their Canadian work experience to qualify for permanent residence. In fact, 40% of all economic-class immigrants accepted by the federal government are international students who have graduated and who want to stay in Canada.