International students in Canada can work while studying — a great way to support living expenses and gain work experience. This guide explains your eligibility, hour limits, internships, post-graduation work options, and more.

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Can International Students Work in Canada?

Yes. If you hold a valid study permit, you may work part-time up to 24 hours per week during academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks (e.g., summer holidays). You don’t need a separate work permit for most part-time jobs.

📌 Update (April 30, 2024): Canada now allows international students to work up to 24 hours/week, an increase from the previous 20-hour limit.
Source: Government of Canada

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Eligibility Requirements

To work legally while studying in Canada, you must meet the following:

1. Be Enrolled Full-Time

• You must be enrolled full-time at your institution.
• Exception: If you’re in your final semester and don’t need a full course load to graduate, part-time status is acceptable — but you must have been full-time before that.

2. Attend a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)

• Your school must be a DLI recognized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
• Check if your school qualifies here:
  👉 List of Designated Learning Institutions

3. Hold a Valid Study Permit

• Your study permit must explicitly state that you’re allowed to work in Canada.
• If this permission is missing, you may request a free amendment through IRCC.

4. Have a Social Insurance Number (SIN)

• Apply for a SIN from Service Canada after receiving your study permit.
  👉 How to Apply for a SIN

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How Many Hours Can You Work?

Period	Work Limit
During academic term	Up to 24 hours/week
During scheduled breaks	Full-time allowed

What About Internships or Co-op Placements?

You may need a co-op work permit if your program includes mandatory work placements. To qualify, you must:

• Have a valid study permit
• Be enrolled in a program where the co-op/internship is required
• Get a letter from your institution confirming the requirement
• Ensure the placement is ≤ 50% of your total program

Exemption: Students who applied for a study permit before Oct 7, 2022, and whose placement ends by Dec 31, 2023, are temporarily exempt from needing a co-op work permit.

👉 Apply for a Co-op Work Permit

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Working in Canada After Graduation

International students may stay and work in Canada with a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

PGWP Eligibility:

• Program must be at least 8 months long
• Duration of PGWP = Length of study program
  • 8–24 months: same as program length
  • 24 months: eligible for a 3-year permit

Processing time: 80–180 days
You can start working while waiting for PGWP approval, as long as you applied before your study permit expired.

The PGWP is a pathway to permanent residency via Express Entry and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) streams.

👉 Learn More About PGWP

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Open a Canadian Bank Account

To receive your salary, you’ll need a Canadian bank account. Look for:

• No international transfer fees
• No/low monthly fees
• Student benefits
• Multilingual support

Example:
TD Bank Student Package

• No monthly fees
• Unlimited transactions
• 1,000+ branches
• 80+ languages supported

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Final Thoughts

Working while studying in Canada is a great way to gain experience, support your expenses, and build a future. Be sure to:

• Meet study/work eligibility
• Track your weekly hours
• Plan ahead for post-graduation work options

For further support:

• IRCC – Work While Studying
• StudySphere.io – Compare services for international students