Working in Canada

During Study Period

As an international student, you may be eligible to work oncampus or offcampus .

Students in Canada are allowed to work upto 20 hours per week and full time during vacation.

You may work on campus at the institution where you study without a work permit if:

• you are a full-time student at:
• a public post-secondary institution, such as a college or university, or a collège d’enseignement général et professionnel (CEGEP) in Quebec or
• a private post-secondary institution that operates under the same rules and regulations as a public institution, and receives at least 50 per cent of its financing for its overall operations from government grants (currently only private college-level educational institutions in Quebec qualify) or
• a Canadian private institution authorized by provincial statute to confer degrees and
• you have a valid study permit.

You may work off campus without a work permit if:

• have a valid study permit,
• be a full-time student,
• be enrolled at a designated learning institution at the post-secondary level or, in Quebec, a vocational program at the secondary level, and
• be studying in an academic, vocational or professional training program that leads to a degree, diploma or certificate that is at least six months in duration.

Use the self-assessment tool to see if you are eligible to work off campus without a work permit.

Co-op Programs :-

For some academic programs, work experience is part of the curriculum. If you wish to participate in a co-op or internship program then you must apply for a work permit as well as a study permit. To be eligible for a work permit, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must have a valid study permit.
• Your intended employment must be an essential part of your program of study in Canada.
• Your employment must be part of your academic, vocational or professional training program offered by a designated learning institution, certified by a letter from a responsible academic official of the institution.
• Your co-op or internship employment cannot form more than 50% (percent) of the total program of study.

You will not be eligible to work during your studies if:

• you study English or French as a second language (ESL/FSL), or
• you participate in general interest or preparatory courses.

After Study

Gaining valuable work experience in Canada after graduation can go a long way towards helping you permanently immigrate here. The following programs can help facilitate this process for eligible candidates:

Post-graduation work permit

The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWPP) allows students who have graduated from a participating Canadian post-secondary institution to gain valuable Canadian work experience. Skilled Canadian work experience gained through the PGWPP helps graduates qualify for permanent residence in Canada through the Canadian Experience Class (express Entry ) .

Further students on the completion of their program of 1 year can work upto 1 year and students applying for 2 years program can work for 2-3 years.

Learn more about the Post-Graduation Work Permit at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s website.

Canadian Experience Class

After you have lived in Canada for some time, you may have good English or French skills, the right kind of skilled work experience, and be used to Canadian society. The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) was created to help people like this take part in the Canadian economy.

Learn more about the Canadian Experience Class at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s website.

Provincial Nominee Program

Almost all of Canada’s provinces and territories can nominate people to immigrate to Canada. These people have the skills, education and work experience they need to contribute to the economy of that province or territory.

Learn more about the Provincial Nominee Program at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s website.