Working While Studying in Canada: The Rules for Students

One of the biggest advantages of studying in Canada is that many international students can work while studying in Canada to gain experience and help cover their costs. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), your study permit itself may authorize work, but the rules are strict and tied to your status. This guide explains on-campus and off-campus work, the weekly hour cap during academic sessions, full-time work during scheduled breaks, the Social Insurance Number you need, co-op and internship placements, and the situations where you simply cannot work. Before you start, make sure you understand the basics of your study permit, and if your long-term goal is to stay in Canada after graduation, read about PGWP eligibility too. The rules below describe the general process, not advice for any individual case.

Check the conditions on your study permit first

IRCC states that you can only work in Canada if your study permit lists a condition saying you are allowed to work. Look for wording such as "May accept employment on or off campus if meeting eligibility criteria as per R186(f), (v) or (w)" and "Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria." If your permit does not include a work condition but you have since become eligible, you must request an amendment to your study permit before you can work or apply for a Social Insurance Number. You must also actually be studying. IRCC is clear that you can only start working in Canada once your study program begins, never before.

Working on campus

If you are a full-time student enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI) and your study permit allows work, you may be able to work on campus without a separate work permit. On campus means the buildings on your school campus; if your school has more than one campus, in most cases you can only work at the campus where you study. IRCC notes there is generally no limit on the number of hours you can work on campus, as long as you continue to meet your eligibility criteria. To remain eligible you must keep your valid study permit, stay enrolled full-time at a DLI, and have your Social Insurance Number.

Working off campus and the weekly hour cap

Eligible students can also work off campus without a work permit. To qualify, IRCC requires that you be a full-time student at a DLI in a post-secondary academic, vocational or professional training program (or a vocational program at the secondary level in Quebec) that lasts at least six months and leads to a degree, diploma or certificate.

The important number to know is the weekly cap. IRCC confirms that eligible students may work up to 24 hours per week off campus while classes are in session. You can hold more than one job to reach those hours, as long as you keep meeting your study permit conditions. Working more than 24 hours per week during a session violates your study permit; IRCC warns this can cost you your student status and may affect future study or work permit applications.

Full-time work during scheduled breaks

The hour cap applies only while classes are in session. IRCC states that students eligible to work off campus may work full-time during scheduled breaks in the academic calendar, such as winter and summer holidays or a fall reading week. You must be a full-time student both before and after the break to qualify, and you can only work during breaks that fall within your enrolment, not before your first term or after you finish your program.

You need a Social Insurance Number

To work on or off campus in Canada, you need a Social Insurance Number (SIN), which you apply for through Service Canada. Your study permit must show a condition that allows you to work before you can get one. If your permit does not yet have the right work condition, you must ask IRCC to amend it first, then apply for the SIN. Keep in mind a SIN is confidential and is used for tax and employment purposes, so you should only give it to an employer once you are hired.

Co-op placements and internships

Some programs require a work placement, internship or co-op term to graduate. IRCC announced that, as of April 1, 2026, eligible post-secondary international students no longer need a separate co-op work permit to take part in work placements required by their program. To rely on this, you generally must hold a valid study permit, be required to complete the placement to finish your program, and have the placement total 50% or less of the program. Secondary-school students and some other situations may still need a co-op work permit, so confirm your case against the IRCC student work placement page. A letter from your school confirming the placement is mandatory for your program is typically required.

When you cannot work

Being on a study permit does not guarantee the right to work at all times. IRCC sets out clear limits.

• You cannot work before your study program starts, even if your permit allows work.
• You cannot work on or off campus during an authorized leave from your studies.
• You cannot work off campus beyond 24 hours per week while classes are in session.
• You cannot work if you stop being a full-time student (with limited exceptions, such as your final academic session).
• You cannot work if you no longer meet the eligibility criteria; in that case you must stop working.

If you violate these conditions, IRCC warns you could lose your student status and jeopardize future applications. When you finish your studies, your authorization to work under your study permit ends, and you would need another option such as a post-graduation work permit to keep working. Always verify your specific situation on the official canada.ca pages before you accept any job.