Planning to study in Canada? Understand the working hours for Nepali students.

Renowned for its quality (and affordable) education, wide landscapes, rich culture, and friendly people, Canada is one of the best destinations to study abroad. Thousands of students choose to study there, as it is a safe, welcoming environment for international students. In this blog, we will take a deep dive into studying and working in Canada (on and off campus), working hours limits, work restrictions, and more.

Yes, international students can study and work in Canada (on campus and off campus) if they meet the required criteria.

If students meet all of the following criteria, they can work (on campus) with some restrictions (more on that later):

• Have to be enrolled full-time as a student in a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). Studying part-time in the final semester is allowed if students studied full-time during each previous semester. Students can continue working if they meet all other requirements.
• Be enrolled in either a post-secondary academic, vocational, or professional training program, or, if in Quebec, in a secondary-level vocational training program.
• Have a valid study permit or have applied to extend it before it expired.
• Your initial study permit has a condition printed on it allowing on-campus work.
• Have a Social Insurance Number (SIN).

If students meet all of the following criteria, they can work (off campus) with some restrictions (more on that later):

• Have to be enrolled full-time as a student in a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
• Be enrolled in either a post-secondary academic, vocational, or professional training program, or, if in Quebec, in a secondary-level vocational training program.
• Have a valid study permit or have applied to extend it before it expired.
• The study program is at least 6 months and leads to a degree, diploma or certificate.
• An initial study permit (a condition printed on it) allows the student to work off campus.
• Have a Social Insurance Number (SIN).

Note: The student and employer must check the conditions before starting work. Unauthorised work has serious repercussions. More on that later.

Students are not allowed to work off campus; i.e., students must stop working if any of the following applies to them:

• Stopped studying full-time (unless in final semester and meet other on-campus work requirements).
• Study permit expires.
• On an authorised leave.
• Currently switching schools and aren’t studying.

Students are not allowed to work off campus; i.e., students must stop working if any of the following applies to them:

• Student’s study permit doesn’t allow them to work off campus while studying.
• Student is enrolled in an English or French as a second language (ESL/FSL) program.
• Student is taking general interest courses.
• Student is only taking courses required to be accepted into a full-time program.
• Student’s situation changes, and they no longer meet all requirements to work off campus.

Note: Students (wanting to work on campus) can resume working once studies restart and all other conditions are met. Students may work off campus if they apply and receive a work permit.

Students who meet the required criteria can work on campus. Generally, students can only work on the campus where they are studying (if the university has multiple campuses). Students are allowed to work at a location that isn’t their campus if all of the following conditions are met:

• Student working as a teaching or research assistant.
• The student's work is strictly related to a research grant.
• The student works at a library, hospital or research facility associated with the school.

As for who a student can work for (on campus):

• The school
• A faculty member
• A student organisation
• Yourself, if you run a business that is physically located on campus.
• A private business
• A private contractor that provides on-campus services to the school

Note: Students can work off campus (with an on-campus work permit) as a part of a student job placement program.

Whereas, for off-campus work, they can work anywhere.

Note: Students can work for an employer outside Canada as long as they meet study permit conditions. It doesn’t count toward the working hours limit.

Students can work unlimited hours on campus while studying in Canada (as long as the student is eligible) during:

• Regular school terms or semesters
• Scheduled breaks in the school year

Off-campus working hours for students in Canada during regular school terms or semesters

Students can work 24 hours per week during regular school terms or semesters.

Students can still work 24 hours per week even if the study permit says 20 hours (for example), if the student meets all other requirements.

Off-campus working hours for students in Canada during breaks

Students can work unlimited hours during breaks scheduled by their DLI. Students can also take courses part-time or full-time. This does not affect your ability to work unlimited hours during your break.

Note: Self-employed students must keep track of hours worked and comply with other eligibility requirements.

Note: Students must apply for any changes in eligibility fulfilment or changes to study permit conditions.

Yes, students can work (unlimited hours) post-study in Canada if they meet the following conditions (in either case):

Case 1) If a student has already applied for a work permit (must meet all of the following conditions):

• The student was eligible to work off-campus during their studies.
• The student applied for a work permit (or post-graduate work permit) before their study permit expired.
• The student is waiting for a decision on their work permit application.

Case 2) If a student is starting a new study program (must meet all of the following conditions):

• The student was eligible to work off-campus during their previous studies.
• The student must have a valid study permit or have applied to extend before it expired.
• The school provided a written statement that the student has completed their study.
• The student has received a letter of acceptance for a full-time study course at a DLI.
• The student will start their study program within 150 days of completion of their previous studies.

Note: Students must meet all of the conditions listed above. If refused, they must leave Canada.

It is advisable not to work off campus without getting a permit to do so from the Canadian government, but if you do work off campus without a permit:

• Your study status may be revoked.
• You may be barred from Canada, sometimes even permanently.
• Your future application may be rejected.

Applying to study in Canada can be complex. Students must understand the application process for different courses and universities, their entry requirements, costs, scholarships (if any), visa application and more. That is why students should seek professional help, and one of the best experts for studying in Canada is Search Education.

Our consultancy has over 10 years of experience helping students achieve their dream of studying in Canada. We are an ethical educational consultancy with a long track record of integrity and honesty. We provide complete services, including career counselling, program and university selection, scholarship guidance, visa application lodgement, visa interview prep and more. Our CELTA- and PGCTE-certified instructors with 20+ years of experience teach English language classes (IELTS and PTE) and mock tests (both IELTS and PTE) to go alongside them. So, feel free to reach out to us.

Don’t just take our word for it; read what our alumni say.

• https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada.html
• https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work.html
• https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit.html
• https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/work-off-campus.html
• https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/work-on-campus.html