Working while studying in Canada?

Many international students decide to work part-time while they attend university or college in Canada. Many begin to find local leads to a successful career after graduation. Working in Canada can help you develop business contacts and gain practical experience for the future. It can even help you immigrate to Canada after you graduate.

There are many ways to work in Canada while you complete your education :

  • On-campus work
  • Off-campus work
  • Co-op placements
  • Internships

You can only start working in Canada when your study program has started. You can’t work before you start your studies.

How many hours you can work off campus?

During regular school terms/semesters

You can work up to 20 hours per week. You can work more than 1 job to make up these hours as long as you continue to meet the conditions of your study permit.

During scheduled breaks in the school year

You can work full-time if you’re on a scheduled break, such as winter and summer holidays, or a fall or spring reading week. You’re free to work overtime or work 2 part-time jobs that add up to a higher than usual number of hours.

How many hours count as full-time work?

There is no set number of hours per week that counts as ‘full-time’ work.

Gain experience beyond your academic institution, and increase your employability and professional networks with Mitacs. Through Mitacs’s programs, post-secondary students and recent graduates can find :

  • Paid collaborative projects with Canadian companies and non-profit organizations
  • Research opportunities and connections
  • Professional skills training programs
  • Career development opportunities
  • Funding for student- led eligible start-ups

Where to look to find a job

The flexible hours and large number of opportunities in these industries make these ideal for students:

Administration and clerical work

Hospitality

cafes, bars, restaurants, delivery

Services

childcare, aged care and cleaning

Farming and fruit-picking

seasonal work

Retail

including supermarkets, department stores,boutiques

Tutoring

Ideal work for students

In Canada, the best way to look for part-time or casual work are through:

  • Word of mouth – ask your friends or local community.
  • Your personal or professional networks and connections.
  • The Government of Canada has an online tool called, Job Bank with listings for more than 100,000 jobs across Canada. The job categories include student, part-time, management and retail.
  • Job listing sites including:
  • Dedicated websites, job notice boards and alumni groups at your university or institution.
  • Professional recruitment companies. A national group called Access provides a directory of recruitment companies. You can search for an agency offering services in the location where you would like to work.

International students have access to the same workplace protections as all Canadian employees and are entitled to safe and fair workplaces.