International students who are studying in Canada are eligible for 20 hours of off-campus work a week during their studies. They do not need another work permit as long as they have a valid study permit to study in Canada. Unless it is mentioned on the study permit that the student is not permitted to work, all the students who have a valid study permit are eligible to work 20 hours a week.
Eligibility requirements to work off-campus in Canada while studying
- The student must be enrolled in a Designated Learning Institute.
- Must be enrolled in a post-secondary program
- Must be enrolled in a study program that is at least six months in length.
- Should have started studying to start working off-campus
- Should have a Social Security Number
Can you work during the scheduled breaks given by the College or University?
Students can work beyond 20 hours a week during this period, which means students can work full time in their scheduled breaks. Full-time work does not have a set number of working hours; it depends on how many hours an employer can give, based on all provincial laws on overtime pay and time between shifts.
Who cannot work off-campus work?
If your study permit says you cannot work, then you are not allowed to work off-campus while you study. If you are taking any courses to be accepted into a full-time program, you cannot work off-campus until you become a full-time student by the college or university. If you change to another college, you need to make sure that you are enrolling into a Designated Learning Institute (DLI) college to be eligible to work off-campus. Furthermore, if you are taking any authorized leave from your studies, i.e., a term-off due to medical reasons, family emergency, death or serious illness in the family, or type of leave that is listed by your school, you are not allowed to work 20 hours a week during this time.
Even if the study permit says that you are allowed to work and you are on authorized leave, you are not eligible to work off-campus during this period.
What happens if you work more than 20 hours in Canada during your studies?
The rules allow you to only work for 20 hours a week, therefore, doing so can cause your student status to be revoked and you may not be permitted to study or work in the country again.
It is therefore important that you watch out your status before you start working in Canada.
Good luck!
Source: canada.ca
