Work While Studying in Canada
In Canada, there are many options for combining work and study, so almost everyone can afford to get a paid education in the country.
When you enroll in a Canadian college or university, you can offset some of your expenses by working, as your student visa allows for part-time employment. You can work up to 20 hours per week off-campus during the school term (with plans to increase this to 24 hours) and up to 40 hours per week during winter and summer breaks or spring recess. In Canada, the minimum hourly wage ranges from $14 CAD to $17.59 CAD (roughly $10.5 to $13 USD) depending on the province or territory.
Note: To work in Canada, you'll likely need to obtain a Social Insurance Number (SIN).
Work Options
There are several ways to work in Canada while studying:
- On-campus work — within the university or college grounds, such as a library assistant, or in a hospital or research center affiliated with your school. The employer can be either the institution itself or a private contractor working on campus.
- Off-campus work — in private businesses or government institutions.
- Co-op or internship programs — if your study program requires work experience to graduate, you'll need to apply for a work permit for this type of employment.
- Internship — you'll need to obtain a work permit for on-the-job training.
Work After Graduation
After completing your studies, you can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which allows you to work in Canada for 1 to 3 years. To be eligible for this permit, you must meet several conditions:
- Complete a program at a designated learning institution in Canada lasting at least 8 months.
- Obtain a degree, diploma, or certificate from this institution.
- Maintain full-time student status in Canada throughout your studies.
Starting February 15, 2024, master's and doctoral students can receive a three-year work permit, even if their program was less than 2 years long (but not less than 8 months).
You can apply for a PGWP within 180 days after completing your studies.
After graduation, you can apply for permanent residency through one of the immigration programs for graduates. Often, these programs require not only education but also finding employment in Canada.
