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You can work as an international student without a work permit so long as you do not exceed the maximum hours (24 hours per week) for any off-campus work and an unlimited number of hours for on-campus work.
However, you can work on a full-time basis off campus during any ordinary study breaks (i.e. summer break). Otherwise, you may have to get a work permit.
You cannot work while on authorized leave from your studies or while you are switching schools. You may return to work once you are back studying on a full-time basis (what counts as authorized leave).
Can I work on campus?
Depending on the type of post-secondary program you are enrolled in, you can work without a work permit.
To work on campus without a work permit, you must:
- Be a full-time post-secondary student at a
Have a valid study permit or maintained status (an extension of your status while your application is processing, so long as it’s not your first study permit application). Have printed conditions on your initial study permit allowing you to work on campus Have a Social Insurance Number (SIN).To apply for a SIN for work on campus, visit Canada’s website.
You cannot work on campus and must stop working if you have completed all of your full-time studies or your study permit has expired.
On-campus includes all the buildings on your campus. You may only work at the campus where you are studying if you are working as a teaching or research assistant and your work is strictly related to a research grant. You may work at a library, hospital or research facility associated with your school outside your campus.
Other types of on-campus employers include:
- the school
- a faculty member
- a student organization
- yourself, if you run a business that is physically located on campus
- a private business
- a private contractor that provides on-campus services to the school
Can I work off campus?
To work off-campus, you must meet certain criteria. If you want to work off campus, you must:
- Part-time students can only work off campus if:
- You are in the last semester of your study program and do not need a full course load to complete your program, and
- You were a full-time student in your program in Canada up until your last semester
You cannot work off-campus if:
- Your study permit says you cannot work off-campus while you study
- You are only enrolled in an English or French as a second language program
- You are only taking general interest courses or courses required to be accepted into a full-time program
How many hours can I work?
You may work up to 24 hours per week off-campus, if it is during:
- Regular school semesters
- A program with no scheduled breaks
You may work unlimited hours during ordinary scheduled breaks, like summer vacation, so long as you were a full-time student before and after the break.
Hours include any time you spend earning wages or collecting a commission, even if not physically working. They do not include time spent working remotely for an employer outside of Canada.
You can work on campus for an unlimited number of hours, even if you are also working off campus.
For More Information
- Work off-campus as an international student: The section under the header “Who can’t work off campus” will describe your options. From Immigration, Citizenship, and Refugees Canada (IRCC)
- Work as a co-op student or intern: This article explores eligibility requirements and how to apply for a co-op or internship as an international student. From Immigration, Citizenship, and Refugees Canada (IRCC)
Last updated: September 29, 2025 4006670
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