As an international student in Canada, you will be allowed to work part – time during your studies or full – time after you graduate or during holidays. You will also have the option of gaining work experience through various ‘Co – operative programs’ offered by Canadian universities.
If you choose to do part – time work alongside your studies, then you will be allowed to take up a job on – campus and off – campus as well. Regardless of where you choose to work, you will have to make sure that you comply with Canadian visa laws and regulations, which include certain restrictions with regards to your study permit and work permit (if applicable).
All international students require a ‘Study Permit’ to be able to study in Canada.
Additionally, Indian students also need a ‘Temporary Resident Visa’ to enter Canada. This visa will allow you to re – enter Canada in case you choose to leave the country for a temporary period during your studies, such as during vacations.
You do not need to apply for the study permit and the temporary visa separately. You will be issued a visa at the same time as the other documentation necessary for your entry to Canada as a student.
You can only get a study permit if you have been accepted by a registered college/university in Canada. Additionally, you will have to prove that you have adequate financial resources to fund your studies, travel and stay in Canada and that you intend to leave Canada after the end of your authorized stay.
To apply for a study permit you will need a ‘Letter of Acceptance’ from a Canadian university. This will serve as proof that a Canadian university is willing to accept you as a student in an academic program.
The eligibility and conditions for working alongside your studies your studies will be mentioned on your study permit and letter of offer.
Part – Time Work
Most international students choose to work part – time along with their studies in Canada. This helps them earn some extra money on the side so as to fund a part of their living expenses as well as gain some international work experience.
In Canada, you will be allowed to work part – time by taking up jobs on – campus as well as off – campus.
On – Campus Jobs
On – campus jobs are those jobs that are carried out within the boundaries of the university campus and benefit the students or the university either directly or indirectly.
You will be allowed to work on – campus in Canada if you have a valid study permit and if you’re enrolled with a registered degree – granting university. You will also need to be a ‘Full – time student’ in order to be able to work on – campus.
Keep in mind that you will not require a ‘Work Permit’ as long as you’re working on – campus.
Most universities provide on – campus work through ‘Work Study Programs’ that allow work opportunities for financially need students.
To get an on – campus job, you will need to make your C.V and contact the various departments and faculties of the university. You can get a job with a faculty/department of a university if they have a vacant staffing position, or you can also get a job with the student association body at the university. Many international students also use the ‘Career Services’ department at the university to look for jobs.
Generally, you will not be allowed to work for more than 20 hours a week for an on – campus job. However, different universities have different regulations with regards to on – campus work for international students. For example, the McMaster University does not allow international students to work for more than 10 hours per week on – campus.
The average rate of pay for on – campus jobs ranges from around 10 – 16 Canadian Dollars per hour.
You will need a ‘Social Insurance Number’ or SIN to start working in Canada. This is a Government issued number primarily used for filing tax returns. You will not be eligible to receive any payments until you have a SIN. To apply for the SIN, you will need a ‘Contract of Employment’ from the department willing to hire you.
Off – Campus Jobs
Off – Campus jobs are carried out for employers outside the boundaries of the university campus and do not necessarily benefit the students or the university.
You will be allowed to work off – campus if you are a full – time student with a valid study permit at a registered post – secondary educational institution. Additionally, you will also require a ‘Student Work Permit’ to start working off – campus.
Keep in mind that you will only be allowed to work off – campus once you’ve completed 6 months of your degree course in Canada.
To work off – campus, your university should be a participant in the ‘Off – Campus Work Permit Program’.
You can apply for a work permit online or through post once you’re in Canada. It is advisable to apply for a work permit as soon as possible as you do not need to have a job offer to receive a work permit.
There is no restriction to the type of work you can do off – campus. However, you will not be allowed to work for more than 20 hours per week under any circumstances.
Most international students who wish to work off – campus need to look for a job themselves. Generally, most off – campus jobs pay the same as on – campus jobs.
Like in the case of on – campus jobs, you will need a ‘Social Insurance Number’ or SIN for off – campus jobs as well. Even though you can start working off – campus without a SIN, you will need to apply for one within 3 days of your employment.
Once you get an off – campus job, you will need to maintain your status as a ‘full – time student’ and achieve ‘satisfactory academic scores’ so as to continue working. The definitions of ‘full time students’ and ‘satisfactory academic scores’ differ from university to university.
Co – Operative Work Programs
Another way you can work alongside your studies in Canada is by enrolling yourself in a ‘Co – operative work program’. Such programs are offered by various Canadian universities and include terms of full – time paid work as a part of the curriculum.
Generally, students spend alternating semesters between learning in classrooms and then applying that knowledge in the practical world during their work terms.
International students get an opportunity to earn money as well as gain Canadian work experience through co – operative work programs.
To be able to take up such work, you will need a work permit. You will not be allowed to work without this permit. You will need a certified letter from the university which clearly states that the work term is a part of the academic program to apply for a co – op work permit.
You can apply for this work permit as soon as you receive a ‘Letter of Acceptance’ from a Canadian university stating that you have been accepted as a full time student in a co – operative work program.
It is advisable to apply for this permit as soon as possible as you do not need a job offer to apply for a work permit.
You will only be allowed to work as a part of such programs if you have a valid study permit, a work permit and a Social Insurance Number (SIN).
It is essential that the work experience should be an important part of the program curriculum and should not be more than 50% of the total length of the course.
Generally, you will be allowed to work for 40 hours per week during your work term. The average salaries that students receive during the work terms of such programs depends upon various factors including the type of course, the academic record of the student and current economic situation.
However, on an average, international students can receive anything between 11 – 18 Canadian Dollars per hour for such work.