Just like any other country, Canada has specific work regulations for international students who want to work during or after their studies. Let’s take a quick look at the most important ones:

Work regulations for on-campus work

• You can work on campus only after the start of your studies
• You can work on campus only if your study permit includes a condition that says you can work on or off campus

Good to know: If your study permit doesn’t mention that you can work on or off campus, you can ask for this change to be made (free of cost).

You don’t need a work permit to work on campus as long as you meet these conditions:

• You are a full-time post-secondary student
• You have a valid study permit
• You have a Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Learn more about working on campus in Canada and who can’t work on campus.

Work regulations for off-campus work

• You can work off campus only after the start of your studies
• You can work off campus without a work permit only if both you and the employer ensure that this is possible before you take the job. If you start working without meeting the requirements, you could be asked to leave the country!
• You can work on campus only if your study permit includes a condition that says you can work on or off campus

You don’t need a work permit to work off campus as long as you meet these conditions:

• You are a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI); if your university isn’t a DLI, you won’t be able to work.
• You are enrolled in a post-secondary academic/vocational program or a professional training
• Your studies last a minimum of 6 months, and you’ll graduate with a degree, diploma, or a certificate
• You have a valid study permit
• You have a Social Insurance Number

During the academic or school terms, you can only work for 20 hours per week. You have more freedom during schedule breaks — e.g. the winter or summer holidays — when you can work full-time, overtime or take 2 part-time jobs.

Work regulations for work after graduation

You might be able to work full-time after graduation in Canada. These are the two main scenarios in which this is possible:

• BEFORE your study permit expires, you apply for a work permit or a post-graduation work permit (PGWP)
• You enrol in a new study program at a DLI; if your university isn’t a designated learning institution, you won’t be able to work

Conditions to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP):

• You need to graduate from a DLI in order to apply for the PGWP
• Graduating from a DLI makes you eligible but doesn’t guarantee you’ll receive the PGWP
• You need to apply for the PGWP within 180 days (approximately 6 months) after graduating from university/after receiving your final grades or marks
• The study program you finish must last for at least 8 months
• You can’t apply for a second PGWP if you’ve already received one after completing a previous study program
• You need to pay the application fee of 255 CAD

It takes around 53 days for the PGWP to be issued. Depending on the duration of your academic program, the PGWP can be valid for anywhere between 9 months to 3 years.