Work Permits for Foreign Students in Canada
1. On Campus Work.
2. Off Campus Work
3. Post Graduate Work.
On Campus Work
If you are a full-time international student holding a valid study permit, you are allowed to work on the campus 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 private post-secondary institution that operates under the same rules and regulations as a public institution, and receives at least 50 percent 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 degree.
You can work on campus at your school, student organization or any private business or contractor on the campus. You may even be self-employed.
Off Campus Work
In some circumstances, an international student holding a valid study permit can apply for and receive a permit to work off campus.
To qualify, you must be a full-time student for at least 6 months at a participating public post-secondary educational institution or in an approved program at an eligible private institution.
Click here to see a list of participating institutions for in Canada.
You must be in satisfactory academic standing in order to receive an off-campus work permit and you must maintain satisfactory standing while you are holding your off-campus work permit.
Off campus work permits allow you to work up to 20 hours per week during the academic sessions and full-time during the breaks such as winter, spring or summer holidays.
You can work in any type of occupations; however, it is important that you are aware of the effect upon your ability to gain permanent residence resulting from the type of job you take. Some jobs, including self-employment may not count toward the skilled work experience you may need to qualify for permanent residence.
Post Graduate Work
Regarding post-graduate work permit, self-employment is also allowed. However, if you are interested in applying for permanent residence via the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), you should be aware that CEC does not accept self-employment as the basis for the Canadian work experience.
If you are a recent graduate of a public university or college, a publicly funded trade/technical school or a private institution authorized by provincial statutes to confer degrees, you may apply for 8 months to 3 years of post-graduate employment (work permit). You must have completed all the requirements for your degree or diploma and graduated from a program requiring at least 8 months of full-time studies.
Individual provinces within Canada have programs which allow for recent graduates to work for more than one year on a post-graduate work permit.
Opportunities also exist for graduates of post-secondary institutions to apply for and gain permanent resident status in Canada. (See Provincial Nominee Program, Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Worker Program)
If you would like more information on studying in Canada and for post-graduate opportunities in Canada or if you would like to set up a meeting with Mr. Champoux, CALL 604-687-3848 or e-mail rachampoux@racl.ca.
WARNING: The information provided in this website is in the nature of general information and can not be applied successfully to every individual circumstance. Canada’s immigration laws can be complex and confusing. The author advises that anyone reading this website and wishing to apply for any form of immigration status in Canada, retain the services of a qualified immigration lawyer.