How Many Hours International Students Can Work In Canada?
How many hours international students can work in Canada? Well, international students will be allowed to work up to 24 hours per week off-campus, an increase from the present limit of 24 hours.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller declared the change in April, stating that the new 24-hour cap’ strikes the appropriate balance so students have the alternative to work without compromising academic outcomes’.
Although the exact implementation date is yet to be confirmed, the new rule is expected to take effect sometime in this month. Until then, international students can work up to 20 hours per week off-campus while classes are in session.
During scheduled breaks, like summer or winter holidays, there is no limit on the number of hours students can work. Off-campus work includes areas outside the educational institution and its campus, including self-employment roles like Uber or DoorDash deliveries.
Not abiding by the rules could have consequences, including losing student status, not being approved for a study or work permit in the future, and even having to leave the county.
Note: Until the new hourly cap is officially declared, the 20-hour limit on off-campus work will remain in place.
| Work Conditions | Number Of Hours Per Week |
| On Campus | Unlimited |
| Off Campus, while classes are in session | 20 |
| Off Campus, while classes are in session | 24 |
| Off Campus, during school breaks | Unlimited |
| Remote for an employer outside Canada | Unlimited |
Who Is Allowed To Work As An International Student In Canada?
How many hours international students can work in Canada? Well, international students will be allowed to work up to 24 hours per week off-campus.
Students are only allowed to work on-campus or off-campus while they state this information if their study permits. To get an off-campus job without a work permit, international students need to meet the following eligibility requirements.
- Have a valid study permit
- Study full-time at a designated learning institution
- Already have begun studying at their DLI and remain in satisfactory academic standing
- Be studying in an academic, vocational, or professional training program that is at least six months in duration and leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate
- Have a valid Social Insurance Number
They have to be a full-time student before and after a break to work full-time during the break. For instance, students can’t begin work before they start their first school semester.
Part-time students at DLIs can work off-campus if they are in their final semester, need a reduced course load to finish, and were full-time students in previous semesters.
Likewise, some international students are not eligible for off-campus in Canada. This includes:
- Students only enrolled in an English/ French as a second language program
- Those only taking general interest courses
- Individuals taking courses to be accepted to a full-time program
- Those don’t meet the requirements to work off-campus
If one of the above applies, they will need a work permit to work while studying in Canada.
Working On-Campus As An International/ Foreign Student In Canada
There are a certain number of hours international students can work in Canada. For international/ foreign students in Canada, finding a part-time job might be an excellent way to gain international experience while also covering some basic expenses.
International students in Canada can work on-campus in addition to off-campus employment, provided they meet the required eligibility criteria. Unlike off-campus work, the number of hours students can work on campus is not limited.
On-campus work refers to employment within the buildings or grounds of a school’s campus. This includes jobs with the school itself, faculty members, student organizations, or private businesses that operate on campus. Students can even work for themselves if they own a company that is physically located on campus.
If a school has multiple campuses, students are expected to work at the campus where they are enrolled. However, exceptions are possible, like when a student is a research or teaching assistant or when the work is tied to a research grant. Students might also work at libraries or research facilities that are affiliated with the school but outside the main campus.
Additionally, students can work unlimited hours remotely for an employer based outside Canada as long as they comply with the conditions of their study permit. This remote work doesn’t count towards the off-campus work hour limit.
Earning As An International Student In Canada
For those looking for a part-time job, the minimum wage varies by province:
| Province | Minimum Wage | Effective Date |
| Alberta | $15.00 | 26 June 2019 |
| British Columbia | $17.40 | 1 June 2024 |
| Manitoba | $15.30 | 1 October 2023 |
| New Brunswick | $15.30 | 1 April 2024 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $15.60 | 1 April 2024 |
| Northwest Territories | $16.05 | 1 September 2023 |
| Nova Scotia | $15.20 | 1 April 2024 |
| Nunavut | $19.00 | 1 January 2024 |
| Ontari | $16.55 | 1 October 2023 |
| Ontario | $17.20 | 1 October 2024 |
| Prince Edward Island | $15.40 | 1 April 2024 |
| Prince Edward Island | $16.00 | 1 October 2024 |
| Quebec | $15.75 | 1 May 2024 |
| Saskatchewan | $14.00 | 1 October 2023 |
| Saskatchewan | $15.00 | 1 October 2024 |
| Yukon | $17.59 | 1 April 2024 |
International students looking to maximize earnings through their part-time work can also look for higher-paying jobs, such as those in administration, teaching, or translation.
Certain professions might have restrictions for study permit holders, and will be stated on the study permit.
As residents of Canada, students will have to file income tax returns the following year for tax purposes.
Changes To International Students’ Working Hours Cap In Recent Years
There is a specific number of hours international students can work in Canada. During regular school terms, students in Canada have been allowed to work up to 20 hours a week. During the pandemic, the government declared a temporary policy allowing students to work more than 20 hours per week, up to a maximum of 40 hours. The policy was put in place to ease the nation’s labor shortage while giving students the chance to earn more money.
This temporary policy ended on April 30, 2024, with IRCC declaring it would not be extended ‘to ensure the integrity of the system while protecting students from fraud and financial vulnerability’.
Miller claims that the reforms have been put in place so students can prioritize their education. He stated that people coming to Canada as students must be here to study, not work. The government will continue working to protect the integrity of the student program.
If you seek information on how to begin your Canada immigration application process, you can talk to our NavaImmigration experts at 1800-918-8490. You can also drop us an email at [email protected].
