Working While Studying in Canada

Working While Studying in Canada

Many international students wonder whether they are allowed to work while studying in Canada. It is useful to know that the immigration policy of the country allows international students to work during their studies even without a work permit. So, they have a chance to get work experience and use it as a competitive advantage after graduation from the Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada.

If you wish to start working while studying in Canada, there are two options to consider: you can work off-campus or on-campus. However, you need to remember that you have to meet several general requirements for working while studying in Canada.

• Firstly, your right to work while studying in Canada should be stated in your study permit. 
• Secondly, you are allowed to start working in Canada only after the beginning of your study program. Remember, you can not start working in Canada before the beginning of your study. 

As it was mentioned above, international students have the possibility to work in Canada off-campus. To be eligible to work for an employer outside the grounds of the campus, they must have a valid study permit. Also, they are not allowed to work more than 20 hours per week during a regular academic session. However, students can work full-time during scheduled breaks, such as spring break or the summer and winter holidays.

It is worth mentioning, that if you want to work off-campus, you ought to study full-time at a Designated Learning Institution in Canada; you have to be enrolled in the vocational, academic, or professional study program that lasts no less than six months and leads to a certificate, diploma or degree. It is important that you study diligently and show satisfactory academic progress determined by your educational institution in Canada. And the last but not the least condition is to have a Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN). You need this nine-digit number to work in Canada and to have access to various government programs and other benefits of this country.

It is important to remember that you have to stop working while studying in Canada when you no longer meet the above-mentioned requirements. Nevertheless, there is one specific situation, when you can continue working while studying in Canada even under such conditions. If you no longer study full-time at the Designated Learning Institution, but you were registered as a full-time student at the beginning of the study program and now study part-time due to changes in the program, you have the right to continue working while studying in Canada. For example, it is your last semester, and you are not required to have a full-time course schedule to complete the program of study.

If you want to know what full-time student status means in Canada, then Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) can provide you with a clear explanation. Canadian immigration officers review the number of hours and credits determined by the Designated Learning Institution that a student is required to complete to get a certificate, diploma, or degree. If an international student meets the requirements of the program, they can start working while studying in Canada.

You have to be aware of the fact that not all international students are eligible to work while studying in Canada. For example, there are three categories of students who cannot work off-campus. The first category is the students who are enrolled in a general interest course or study program in Canada. The second category is the international students who take the French as a Second Language (FSL) or English as a Second Language (ESL) program in Canada. And the third category is the exchange or visiting students at the Designated Learning Institutions in Canada.

The second option for working while studying in Canada is a job on-campus. It means that international students can work for an employer whose business is located on the campus grounds of the Designated Learning Institution where a student is currently pursuing their study program. For example, international students can work for a student organization, a school, a member of the faculty, and even a private business (located on the grounds of the campus), or a private supplier (who offers services to the school, college or university). Moreover, international students can be self-employed. If you have a great idea, you can implement it in practice. However, you need to be sure that you do not break any of the Canadian laws and meet the conditions of your study permit.

It is also worth mentioning, that you only have the opportunity to work on the grounds of your educational institution if you meet certain requirements. If you wish to work on-campus without a work permit, you must have a valid Canadian study permit, a Social Insurance Number, and be a full-time student at a post-secondary educational institution.

There are three types of schools, attending which international students have the right to work on-campus. The first type is a public post-secondary educational institution. This can be a college, a university, or CEGEP (Collège d’enseignement général et professionnel in French, General and Vocational College in English) in the province of Quebec. The second type is a private college-level school in Quebec. It has to comply with the same rules as a public educational institution and should get no less than 50% of funds from government grants. The third type is a Canadian private educational institution that has a right to award degrees under provincial law. If you want to find out more information about work on campus, you can visit the official web page of the Government of Canada. Except for these two options for working while studying in Canada, international students can work as co-op students or interns. Co-op means cooperative education, and it is a method of combining theoretical learning with practical job experience in Canada. You should remember, that some study programs at Designated Learning Institutions require a mandatory work placement or internship during the study. If you need to work while studying in Canada, you have to apply for a co-op or intern work permit. 

As an international student or graduate in Canada, you need to remember that you have the right to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) after you graduate from the Designated Learning Institution in Canada. This document allows you to continue working in Canada after graduation. You can find the information on how to obtain your Post-Graduation Work Permit in Canada online. Additionally, if you want to bring your spouse or a common-law partner to Canada, you can help them to apply for an open work permit. It allows them to work in Canada while you pursue the study program in the country. However, you need to meet several requirements to be eligible to bring your spouse or your common-law partner to Canada. For example, you have to be a full-time international student at a Designated Learning Institution. 

Working while studying in Canada is a great opportunity to get real-world job experience and find out more about life in the country. Additionally, you can choose where you wish to work in the future and see everything from the inside. Your work experience is always an advantage in the competitive labor market of North America. Nevertheless, you have to be sure you meet all requirements mentioned in the article before you find a job in Canada and start working. Remember, you have options to work on-campus and off-campus. Some academic programs at Designated Learning Institutions in Canada also offer co-ops. No matter what you choose, remember to check all the eligibility requirements and enjoy working while studying in Canada.

 

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