Work in Canada as an international student may be possible through a study visa. It allows them to work in Canada on or off campus. In addition to fulfilling all other qualifying requirements, students can begin working once they begin their studies.
Rules of working off–Campus
There is no restriction on those who want to work in Canada as an international student for employers located outside the campus of their academic institution. When working full-time during winter, spring, and summer breaks, students are only permitted to work 20 hours per week during normal academic semesters.
The following requirements must be met by foreign students who wish to work off-campus:
- Valid study permit required
- Obtain a degree from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) full-time.
- They’ve signed up for a degree program, and their academic standing is still strong.
- The program should last at least six months and lead to a certificate, diploma, or degree in academic, vocational, or professional training.
- For social security benefits, a SIN is necessary.
In case of a change of circumstances while employed, a student must cease working off campus if they are no longer eligible for the student employment program.
The following may still qualify a student for work off campus even if they are no longer working full-time:
It has been a full-time commitment since you started your studies in Canada.
During the final semester of their degree program, students are only required to maintain part-time course loads because they are not required to maintain full-time courses to graduate.
The following students are ineligible for off-campus employment:
- The students are enrolled in ESL programs in French or English.
- Enrolling in a general interest course or program.
- Visiting or exchange students only enroll in the courses necessary to be admitted into a full-time program at a selected educational institution.
- Moving schools and not already enrolled in classes. students taking a permitted leave from their studies.
Work rule for on-campus
Depending on the campus, students may be able to work if they meet specific eligibility requirements. The following should be done:
- Current study permit required.
- Social security numbers (SINs) are required.
- If you plan to attend a public postsecondary institution (such as a college or university), a private college-level institution that meets public school regulations and receives 50% of its funding from the government, or a private institution authorized to confer degrees by the province of your choice, you must be registered as a full-time student.
Students working on campus for companies based at their educational institution are thought of as on-campus employees. You might be hired to do the following:
- The school,
- The member of the faculty,
- The organization consists of students,
- A private business on campus,
- Self-employed on-campus, or
- A private contractor provides services to the school.
In addition, students are permitted to work off-campus at a hospital, library, or research center provided they are doing it as a teaching or research assistant or if their employment is directly tied to a research grant.
A student cannot work on campus if they are one of the following:
- Unless they are in their final semester and complete other requirements, full-time students cease studying.
- Students whose study permits have expired are students who are on an official leave of absence from school.
- Moving schools and not presently enrolled in any courses.
Rules for Co-op
An applicant for a co-op or intern work permit must also have a valid study permit if they are enrolled in a DLI in Canada and are required to complete a required work placement or internship.
The closed-work permit for the co-op is a distinct permission. It can only be utilized for tasks that are crucial to the study plan. Work done for program credits and necessary for the student to graduate from their program of study is regarded to be work experience.
Students are permitted to have both the ordinary work permission provided by their student permit and the co-op work authorization, allowing them to hold both a job unrelated to their course of study and a position in a required work placement.
Co-op work permits may be granted to students who:
- Possess a valid student permit.
- Students must finish a required work placement to earn credits for a study program.
- An authorization letter from the educational institution confirming the study program’s requirement for the work placement.
How your spouse can work in Canada as an international student
International students’ spouses and common-law partners may qualify for open work permits if the student:
- Is in possession of a current study permit.
- Postgraduate work permits are available for them (PGWPs).
- In addition, the student must be enrolled full-time at one of the three types of higher education institutions outlined above: a public post-secondary institution, a private college in Quebec, or a private institution in Canada authorized to grant degrees under provincial law.
What you need to know about working after you graduate
After graduation, the student might be eligible for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs). It allows the holder to work for any employer for a period of three years and the permit can be used for up to three years.
To be eligible for the PGWP, international students must meet the following requirements:
- Participated in at least an eight-month DLI program providing academic, vocational, or professional training.
- Degrees, diplomas, and certificates must be the result of the study.
- You have to maintain full-time student status in Canada throughout every academic semester of my program of study and submission the PGWP application.
- An official letter and transcript stating that the applicant has completed their program of study have been received from the eligible DLI.
Graduates from at least one of these schools are also required:
- Post-secondary education offered by a public institution.
- Private post-secondary schools in Quebec that offer diploma or attestation of specialization programs, or private secondary schools.
- Students need to be enrolled in a provincially approved study program before they may receive a degree (for example, an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate degree).
A PGWP (Post-Graduation Work Permit) can provide international graduates with professional job experience that can be beneficial later on when applying for Canadian citizenship.
