August 17th, 2023 at 02:21 am
Working and Studying in Canada | Guide For International Students
Working in Canada while pursuing studies there can be an excellent way for international students to gain experience, make professional connections, and earn additional income that can be put toward the payment of their educational expenses (or used to treat themselves to something nice!).
However, there are restrictions on who can work and what they can do in Canada while they are enrolled in an educational program there. Before you begin your search for employment, there are a few things you absolutely must be aware of.
Working while studying in Canada?
You need to make certain that you are qualified to work while you are still attending school in Canada before you start working there. If you do not, there is a possibility that you will be asked to leave the country. Your study permit will indicate whether you are only permitted to work on campus or whether you also have the option to work off campus.
If each of these conditions is met, it should be possible for international students to obtain employment on campus without first obtaining a work permit. (It is important to keep in mind that you will not be permitted to work on campus after the last day of your full-time schooling.)
You are a full-time post-secondary student at either
-
- a public post-secondary school,
- a private college-level school in Quebec that gets at least 50% of its funding from the government, or
- a private school in Canada that is allowed by provincial law to give degrees.
- You have a valid study permit.
- You have a SIN, which is a Social Insurance Number.
If they meet all of the following requirements, international students can work off-campus without a work permit. (Keep in mind that you can’t start working in Canada until your study program starts.)
- You go to a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and study there full-time.
- You are enrolled in either a post-secondary professional, vocational, or professional training program or a secondary vocational training program (only in Quebec).
- You’re in a study program that lasts at least six months and leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate.
- You have already begun to study.
- You have a SIN, which is a Social Insurance Number.
If you’re a part-time student, you must meet all of the above requirements and only be studying part-time because you’re in the last semester of your program and don’t need a full course load to finish it.
Types of work permitted for students
On-campus work
On-campus jobs are those that take place in the buildings on your school’s campus. If your school has more than one campus, you can usually only work on the campus where you study. You can, however, work in other places if you are a teaching or research assistant or if your work is related to a research grant.
An on-campus employer can be your school, a faculty member, a student group, a private contractor who provides services on-site, or even you if you run a business on campus. No one can tell you how many hours you can work on campus. Here, you can find out more about jobs on campus.
Off-campus work
If you meet all the requirements for working off campus, you can usually work up to 20 hours a week during regular school terms or semesters. During school breaks, like winter and summer vacations, you can work extra hours or take on two part-time jobs that add up to a higher number of hours than you usually do.
The 20-hour-per-week limit has been lifted temporarily from November 2022 to December 2023. During this time, international students in Canada can work off-campus for more hours, up to the maximum allowed by provincial employment standards, which is usually between 40 and 48 hours per week.
To qualify, you must be a full-time student before and after a break. This means that you don’t get credit for the summers before and after your study term. Here, you can find out more about jobs away from campus.
Internships and co-op placements
Work experience is a part of the curriculum for some study programs. If this is true for your program, you can apply for a co-op or intern work permit if you meet these requirements:
- You have a valid study permit
- To finish your program of study in Canada, you have to work.
- You have a letter from your school saying that all students in your program must do work placements in order to graduate.
- Your co-op or internship is less than half of your study program or less.
During COVID, the Canadian government has made some exceptions for co-ops and internships that take place in remote areas. Here, you can find out more about these.
How to Balance Work and School in Canada
- Plan out your time well. Work and school can make it easy to take on too much, especially in the first year of school. Before looking for more work, it might be best to give yourself some time to get used to your new schedule.
- Look for opportunities related to your field or to learn new languages like English or French. Jobs can be more than just a paycheck. Learn outside the classroom and make connections that will help you in your field.
- Talk to your boss about your job prospects in the future. Canadian companies often give full-time jobs to former interns or part-time workers with whom they have already worked. Use your internship or part-time job to get a foot in the door.
- Work networking and asking your boss for a LinkedIn recommendation will show future employers you’re a great hire. Canadian recruiters fill many jobs. Job openings are best found through networking. Professionals in industry. If they don’t hire you, they may know someone who is.
- Be proactive. Ask your boss for more work or a specific project. Ask or don’t get! Request assistance. Most Canadian companies encourage teamwork and asking for help.
- Asking a coworker or manager for help can be a way to learn and meet new people.
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