Without a work permit, international students with a valid study permit could work while studying in the country. Additionally, spouses or Common-law partners of foreign students can work in the country while their spouse is studying. Please keep in mind that that the spouse can apply for an Open Work Permit which allows them to work in any job without restriction.
Work On-Campus
Note that full-time students who are registered at an institution could work at that institutions campus in any job (without requiring a work permit). To add, students may work at more than one campus of an institution (if they are in the same municipality). To be eligible, students may be enrolled in any course.
Listed bellow are the permitted institutions:
- CEGEPs
- Community Colleges
- Publicly Funded trade or technical schools
- Private Institutions authorized by provincial statue to confer degrees
- Universities
In order for international students be eligible to work on-campus, they need to:
- Be a full-time student
- Have a valid Study Permit
Please note that on the day international students no longer meet the above eligibility requirements, they need to stop working on-campus.
Work Off-Campus
Foreign students may be eligible to work off-campus without a work permit. This will enable them to:
- work up to 20 hours per week (during regular academic sessions) and
- work full-time during scheduled breaks (ex. the winter/summer holidays or spring break)
For international students to be qualified to work off campus, they need to:
- Have a Study Permit which is valid
- Be currently studying at a designated learning institution the post-secondary level or, in Quebec, a vocational program at the secondary level
- Stay in satisfactory academic standing (as determined by their institution)
- Be studying in a vocational, academic, or professional training program that will lead to a diploma, certificate, or degree that is at least 6 months in length.
Please note that on the day international students no longer meet the above eligibility requirements, they need to stop working on-campus.
International students that are not qualified to work off-campus are the following:
- Students registered in an English or French program as a Second Language;
- Students taking a random interest program or course; and
- Exchange or visiting students at a designated learning institution.
Working Off-Campus - Certain Cases
Any students working as either a research, teaching, or graduate assistant could work off campus a locations connected to their research grants. These locations need to have a formal association or affiliation with the learning institution (ex. clinics, research institutes and hospitals).
Co-op Work Permits
International students pursuing a study program at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in the country that needs a mandatory work placement or internship, need to apply for a co-op work permit as well as to a Canadian Study Permit.
Post Graduate Work Permit
Immediately after an international student graduates, they can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit which is an OWP, enabling them to work in ANY job (without restrictions). An LMIA or a confirmation of job offer are not required to apply for a PGWP.
To be qualified for a PGWP you must:
- apply for a work permit within 90 days of getting written confirmation such as a transcript or an official letter from your institution showing that you have reached the requirements for finishing your academic program.
- have finished and passed the program of study as well as gotten a notification that you are qualified to get your diploma, certificate, or degree.
- own a study permit that is valid when you apply for the work permit.