Key takeaways
- International students in Canada can work while studying without a separate work permit. You can work up to 20 hours per week during academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks.
- You need a valid study permit to work while studying. It’s possible to work either on campus or off campus, provided you meet specific eligibility requirements.
- If your programme has mandatory internships, you can work as a co-op student or intern. However, you need to get a co-op work permit.
- A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is mandatory to work in Canada. It can be obtained online, in person, or by mail at no cost.
- You must apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) within 180 days of completing your course. The PGWP allows you to work for any employer and helps in gaining eligibility for permanent residency.
- Permanent residency pathways include Express Entry, CEC, FSWP, FSTP, PNP, and the Quebec Skilled Workers Program.
Canada is a top study abroad destination due to its high-quality education, reputed universities, and vibrant culture. The Canadian government encourages international students like you and offers a safe and welcoming environment. In addition, Canada’s educational plan supports you to work while you study and explore pathways to extend your stay and secure a job after your course completion.
International students like you can make the best use of such opportunities and look for employment during your studies. The supportive environment and the prosperous economy ensure that you find work easily during your programme. Besides, working while studying offers a strong pathway to permanent residency.
According to Statistics Canada, “Six in 10 international students who were employed during their period of study or after graduation became landed immigrants within 10 years of having obtained their first study permit.”
Curious to know more about working while you study in Canada? In this article, we’ll take you through the best academic programmes in Canada and explain how you can work while you study. Keep reading!
Table of Contents
- Why choose Canada for your higher education?
- Best universities in Canada for study abroad
- Top courses to study in Canada
- Admission requirements and application process to study in Canada
- Cost of Studying in Canada
- Understanding the Canadian Study Permit
- Working while studying in Canada
- Eligibility to work while studying
- Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Financial planning for study and work in Canada
- Life in Canada as a student
- Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
- Permanent residency options
- Final thoughts
- Frequently asked questions
Why choose Canada for your higher education?
Canada is a preferred choice among international students due to its high academic standards and excellent employment prospects. Here are the key reasons to choose Canada for your higher education.
High-quality education
Canada has many prestigious universities, such as the University of Toronto, McGill University, and the University of Montreal, that offer academic excellence and high graduate employability rates.
Work while you study
Canada’s study permit allows you to work while you study. Most universities offer numerous co-op programmes, placements, and internships. With more than 3,000 co-op programmes offered by the universities and the opportunity to work part-time for around 20 hours a week, you can earn money while you study and also gain practical experience.
Cosmopolitan environment
Canada has a diverse population and welcomes students from all over the world. You’ll have the opportunity to connect with a multicultural crowd both within and outside the campus and broaden your horizons.
Safe, peaceful, and affordable
Canada is ranked among the safest nations in the world. The country also offers a high quality of living. In addition, the tuition fee is lower compared to other countries, making Canada an affordable option.
Best universities in Canada for study abroad
Canadian universities are a preferred choice due to their academic excellence and high overall student outcomes. Here are some of the best Canadian universities you can consider.
| University | Highlight |
|---|---|
| University of Toronto | It’s among Canada’s oldest and most prestigious universities. |
| University of British Columbia | It ranks among the top 40 universities in the world. |
| McGill University | Ranked among the top universities, it offers world-class programmes. |
| Trent University | It’s a public liberal arts university with a reputation for academic excellence. |
Top courses to study in Canada
Below is a brief overview of the popular courses in Canada.
Engineering
You can choose engineering courses such as civil engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science engineering, and electrical engineering.
Business administration and management
You can pursue business administration courses in marketing, human resources, entrepreneurship, and more.
Healthcare
There are several rigorous healthcare courses that combine clinical practice with academics.
Finance and accounting
You can pursue finance and accounting courses that cover areas such as financial analysis, corporate finance, and investment management.
Curious to know more about the courses to study in Canada? Talk to our experts.
Admission requirements and application process to study in Canada
Admission requirements vary based on the university. Before you begin your application process, ensure that you have the necessary documents ready. The documents include IELTS/TOEFL scores, letters of recommendation (LOR), SAT scores, academic certificates, and financial documents.
Application process
Follow the steps below to apply for a university course in Canada:
- Visit the university’s online portal.
- Create an account and fill out the application form.
- Upload the required documents.
- Pay the application fee as necessary and submit the form.
- If successful, you’ll receive an offer of admission. Accept the offer.
- Apply for a Canadian study permit.
Related articles
Cost of Studying in Canada
The cost of studying in Canada depends on the course and institution. You can expect the tuition fee to range between CAD 13,000 and CAD 35,000 per annum. For postgraduate studies, the tuition fee could range between CAD 30,000 and CAD 42,000 per annum.
You should also plan for your living costs. On-campus accommodation can cost you between CAD 8,000 and CAD 10,000 per annum, while off-campus accommodation can cost between CAD 400 to CAD 700 per month.
Understanding the Canadian Study Permit
A Canadian study permit allows international students like you to study at designated learning institutions. It’s issued by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and is essential to pursue higher education in the country.
A study permit is issued only if you’re accepted into a Canadian educational institution and satisfy the immigration requirements. It allows you to stay in Canada for your course duration and an additional 90 days after you complete the course.
Even if you plan to work and earn during your studies, you’ll still have to demonstrate your financial capabilities to apply for a study permit. You have to provide proof of financial sufficiency that you can support yourself even without working.
Know more about the study permit in Canada by talking to our experts!
Working while studying in Canada
Working while studying in Canada is a great option to support your expenses and also gain valuable practical experience. International students can work up to 24 hours per week without a work permit. They can also work full-time when there is a scheduled break.
Canada’s immigration policy allows you to work while studying. You can take up employment during your studies without a work permit.
Eligibility to work while studying
You can work during your course duration if you’re enrolled in a Designated Learning Institution and have a study permit. This allows you to work for any employer without a work permit. You can work either on campus or off campus. If your course includes a co-op component or co-operative education, you can also participate in a practical internship.
Work on-campus
When you work on campus, there are no restrictions on the number of work hours as long as you’re eligible to work on campus. You can work for the university, an employer on the campus, a faculty member, a student organisation, or a private contractor providing services to the institution. You can even take up any self-employment on the campus.
To be eligible, you must hold a study permit and a Social Insurance Number (SIN). In addition, you must be registered as a full-time student at a public post-secondary institution or any other specified institution.
Work off-campus
If you have a valid study permit, you can work off-campus. Apart from the study permit, you must be enrolled as a full-time student at a Designated Learning Institution. Your programme must be at least six months in duration and lead to a diploma, degree, or certificate.
You must also have officially started your course and demonstrate satisfactory academic performance. Most importantly, you must have a Social Insurance Number (SIN).
Note: You cannot work off-campus if you’re enrolled in a general interest course, an English as a Second Language program, or a French as a Second Language programme. Exchange students or visiting students are also not allowed to work off-campus.
During regular academic sessions, you can work off-campus for up to 20 hours per week. If there are scheduled breaks, you can take up full-time off-campus employment.
You must stop working off-campus if your eligibility status changes and you no longer meet the requirements. However, at times, even if you’re no longer enrolled full-time, you’ll still be eligible to work off-campus.
This applies if you have been a full-time student since the start of the programme, and you're studying part-time because it’s your last semester, where a full-time schedule is not necessary to complete the course.
Work as a co-op student or intern
You can work as a co-op student or intern if you're enrolled in a programme at a Designated Learning Institution that includes a mandatory internship. To be eligible, in addition to the study permit, you must also obtain a co-op work permit.
Curious to know more about working in Canada? Talk to our experts.
Social Insurance Number (SIN)
What is a SIN
A Social Insurance Number is mandatory to work in Canada, access government benefits, and file taxes. It is a nine-digit number that is issued upon application. To apply for a SIN, you must have a valid study permit.
Note: SIN is confidential. Keep it safe, as it’s your responsibility to protect it.
How to apply for a SIN
You can submit your application for the SIN online, in person, or by mail. There is no application fee.
Apply online
You can apply online by uploading the photocopies of your proof of legal status, identity proof, and address proof. Once submitted, the application will be reviewed and processed within 5 business days.
Apply in person
You can apply in person by visiting the local Service Canada Centre. Download the application form online or collect it from the Service Canada Centre. Fill out the form and submit it along with the documents. If you're eligible, you’ll get the SIN the very same day.
Apply by mail
You can apply by mail by sending the documents and completed application form to the Social Insurance Registration Office. When you apply by mail, you must share the original documents. Hence, it’s recommended to send by registered post, as the documents will be returned to you in the same manner.
Financial planning for study and work in Canada
While studying in Canada, it’s crucial to plan your finances so that you have a realistic estimate of your expenses. Consider all the major expenses, such as tuition fees, accommodation, and travel, and prepare a detailed budget.
You can also plan for financial support through scholarships and grants, or take up part-time work opportunities while studying. A thoughtful financial plan will allow you to focus on your studies without any worries about the costs.
Life in Canada as a student
Student life in Canada is a mix of rigorous academics, cultural exposure, fun, and personal growth. Universities in Canada offer high-quality education that enables you to succeed in your career.
Beyond the classroom, Canada offers a vibrant life with plenty of recreation and entertainment options and a multicultural crowd. Besides, the strong economy also guarantees several part-time job opportunities and internship opportunities for your professional growth.
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
A post-graduation work permit allows eligible graduates to remain in Canada and work for any employer. Since it’s an open work permit, it provides the flexibility to work for any employer or switch employers.
PGWP provides you with the opportunity to work in Canada after graduation and obtain permanent residency. You must apply for the PGWP within 180 days of completing your course, and it will be processed within the same timeframe.
Note: PGWP is issued only once in a lifetime. Its validity may range from eight months to three years.
Permanent residency options
Once the post-graduation work permit expires, you can apply for permanent residency. It’s important to plan ahead and apply early as your PGWP is nearing expiration. Canadian permanent residency options include the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and the Quebec Skilled Workers Program.
Final thoughts
Canada is a preferred study abroad destination, providing high-quality education and excellent career prospects. As an international student, you may be keen to explore the various job opportunities available during studies and career pathways after completing the course.
With its strong economy, Canada has numerous part-time job opportunities you can take up during your studies to gain valuable work experience and support your living expenses. It’s possible to work without a work permit, either on campus or off campus.
There are also options to work as a co-op student. Further, once your course is completed, you can apply for a post-graduate work permit and then move on to permanent residency options.
Let us help you study and work in Canada. Start your study-abroad journey right away!
Frequently asked questions
Can I work while studying in Canada?
Yes, international students can work while studying in Canada without a separate work permit. You can work on campus, off campus, or as a co-op student.
How much does it cost to study in Canada?
The tuition fees can range between CAD 13,000 and CAD 35,000 per annum. For postgraduate studies, the tuition fee could range between CAD 30,000 and CAD 42,000 per annum.
How do co-op education programs work in Canada?
Co-op programmes allow you to gain work experience by alternating periods of academics with work terms. It aligns your academic curriculum with practical application.
What types of jobs can students take up in Canada?
There are a variety of jobs you can take up during your studies in Canada. The popular jobs include sales assistant, snow removal, dog walker, server, teaching assistant, tour guide, and more.
Are there any restrictions on the type of work?
You can work up to 20 hours per week when you hold a study permit. If you violate this, you may lose your student status.
How much can I earn in Canada as a student?
The amount you can earn by working while you study varies by the region. However, on average, you can earn between USD 15 and USD 17 per hour.
