Foreign International Students with a Valid Study Permit may Work on or off Campus While Studying in Canada
International students may work off campus without a work permit for up to 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions and full time during scheduled breaks such as the winter and summer holidays.
In order to be eligible to work during their studies, International Students must:
In order to be eligible to work during their studies, International Students must:
- Hold a valid Study Permit
- Be studying at a designated learning institution at a Post Secondary level
- Remain in satisfactory academic standing
- Be studying in an academic, vocational or professional training program that leads to a degree, a diploma, or certificate that is at least 6 months in duration
International students must STOP working on the day they no longer meet the above eligibility requirements. Therefore if they are no longer a full time student during an academic session then they should stop working as of the day that this becomes effective, unless otherwise authorized to work through having applied for a Work Permit.
The following international students are not eligible to work off campus;
- Students enrolled in an English as a Second Language or French as a Second Language Program.
- Students taking a general interest course or program; AND
- Visiting or exchange students at a designated learning institution
Working Off Campus
Students working as graduate, research or teaching assistants may work off campus at locations related to their research grants. These locations must have a formal association or affiliation with the learning institution. These may include hospitals, clinics and research institutes.
Co-op Work Permits
International students pursuing a study program at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada that requires a mandatory work placement or internship must apply for a Co-op Work Permit in addition to a Canadian Study Permit.
Post Graduate Work Permit
Once studies have been accomplished in an eligible program at an eligible Canadian Post Secondary Institution, international graduates can apply for a Post Graduation Work Permit allowing them to work in any job they so choose in Canada. To be eligible for a Post Graduation Work Permit, international students must:
If a graduate does not apply within 90 days or falls out of status by allowing their study permit to expire, they will not be eligible to apply for a Post Graduate Work Permit. If your Study Permit will expire before you graduate it is very important that you apply for an extension before this time.
- Have studied full time for the 8 months preceding the completion of their program and must have graduated from one of the following;
- A public post secondary educational institution such as a University or College
- A private post secondary educational institution that operates under the same rules and regulations as public institutions, and receives at least half of its funding for operations from government grants
- A Canadian private institution authorized by provincial or territorial statute to confer degrees
- Apply for a Work Permit within 90 days of receiving written confirmation from their academic institution that hey have met the requirements of their program.
- Have completed and passed the program of study and received written notification that they are eligible to obtain their degree, diploma or certificate.
- Have a valid Study Permit when they are applying for their Work Permit
If a graduate does not apply within 90 days or falls out of status by allowing their study permit to expire, they will not be eligible to apply for a Post Graduate Work Permit. If your Study Permit will expire before you graduate it is very important that you apply for an extension before this time.
