Off-Campus Work Without A Work Permit In Canada

International students in Canada may work off campus without a work permit while they study, provided they meet certain conditions. As of November 8, 2024, students can work up to 24 hours per week during regular academic sessions. Full-time work is still allowed during scheduled breaks if eligibility criteria are met.

On This Page You Will Find

• Who is eligible to work off campus without a work permit
• How many hours students can work during school and breaks
• How to apply for or amend a study permit to allow work
• What rules apply to self-employed students
• When full-time work is allowed after graduation

Who Can Work Off Campus

You may work off campus without a separate work permit if all the following apply:

• You hold a valid study permit with a condition that allows work
• You are a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI)
• You are enrolled in a post-secondary academic, vocational or professional program (or a secondary-level vocational program in Quebec)
• Your program is at least 6 months long and leads to a degree, diploma or certificate
• You have started studying
• You have a Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Part-time students can work off campus only if:

• They meet all the eligibility criteria except for full-time status, and
• They are in their final semester and require a part-time course load to complete their program

You cannot work off campus if:

• Your study permit says you are not authorised to work
• You are taking only ESL/FSL, general interest, or prerequisite courses
• You are on an authorised leave or between schools

Social Insurance Number (SIN)

You must have a SIN to work in Canada. Your study permit must include one of the following conditions:

• May work 24 hours per week off campus or full-time during regular breaks if meeting criteria under paragraph 186(v) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR)
• May accept employment on or off campus if meeting criteria under paragraph 186(f), (v), or (w) of the IRPR

If your permit doesn’t include these conditions, you must request an amendment before applying for a SIN. There is no fee to amend your study permit.

How Many Hours You Can Work Off Campus

During regular school terms:

You can work up to 24 hours per week. This may include multiple jobs. Hours are counted as any time spent earning wages or collecting commissions, including on-call hours.

During scheduled school breaks:

You may work unlimited hours, as long as:

• You were a full-time student before the break
• You will be a full-time student after the break

This applies to summer/winter holidays and reading weeks. If your program has no scheduled breaks, you may only work up to 24 hours per week year-round.

Self-Employment Rules

Self-employed international students are also limited to 24 hours of work per week during academic sessions. You must track and document hours just like salaried workers, including:

• Providing services or selling goods
• Receiving commissions or direct payments

Working After Completing Your Program

You may work full-time after finishing your studies if:

1. You applied for a work permit (e.g. PGWP) before your study permit expired, and
2. You were already allowed to work off campus during your studies

New rules as of June 21, 2024: You can no longer apply for a PGWP at a port of entry. You must apply online or from within Canada.

You can also work full-time if:

• You finished your previous program and received confirmation
• You have a valid or extended study permit
• You received a letter of acceptance to a new program at a DLI
• Your new program starts within 150 calendar days

If your work or study permit application is refused, you must stop working and leave Canada.

Working Outside Canada

You may work remotely for an employer outside Canada while studying, as long as you continue to meet the conditions of your study permit. This work does not count toward your 24-hour weekly limit.

Frequently Asked Questions