An international student in Canada is authorized to live and study in Canada under the conditions of their study permit. The study permit process allows an individual to pursue a degree at a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada.
Can I work as an international student in Canada?
As an international student, you can work without a work permit on the conditions that:
- The duration of your study permit has begun.
- You do not work before you start your education at the DLI.
- You’re enrolled in either:
- A post-secondary vocational, academic or professional training program
- For Quebec only: a secondary-level vocational training program
- The conditions on your study permit state that you are able to work.
- You do not need a work permit if your study permit authorizes you to work.
- You are a full-time student at a DLI A full list of DLIs can be found here.
- You respect the hours per week set in place by IRCC during your employment.
- You have a social insurance number (SIN); see section below on how to get your SIN.
The requirements above are for full-time students. If you are a part-time student, you must:
- Meet all the requirements listed above AND
- Only study part time because you’re in the last semester of your program and don’t need a full time course load OR you if you are studying part time after being a full-time student in Canada until your final semester.
What is a Social Insurance Number and how do I get it?
A SIN is issued by the government of Canada to you. It is 9 digits and you need it to be employed in Canada.
If either of the following are printed on your study permit, you may apply for a SIN to work off campus:
- may work 20 hours per week off campus or full-time during regular breaks if meeting criteria outlined in paragraph 186(v) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
- may accept employment on or off campus if meeting eligibility criteria, per paragraph R186(f), (v) or (w) and must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.
If the above is not printed on your study permit, you can submit a request to amend your study permit to have it included. The application can be found here.
To apply for a SIN, IRCC has an application, which is free of cost or service charges, available on its website. Apply here.
How many hours can an international student work off-campus?
While the school year is ongoing: 20 hours
While there is a scheduled break in the academic year: Unlimited number of hours (you must be a full-time student before and after the break.)
These conditions apply to self-employed students as well.
You cannot work off-campus if:
- It is not authorized as per your study permit.
- You’re enrolled only in an English or French Second Language program.
- You are taking courses to be accepted into a full-time educational program.
- You do not meet the original conditions to be able to work while on a study permit any longer.