Working While Studying In Canada: A Complete Guide For International Students

Study Abroad sinh tại Canada có nhiều cơ hội làm việc trong thời gian học, từ việc làm thêm trong trường (on-campus) đến ngoài trường (off-campus), thậm chí là làm việc từ xa cho doanh nghiệp nước ngoài. Bài viết này tổng hợp các quy định quan trọng của Cơ quan Di trú, Tị nạn và Quốc tịch Canada (IRCC) về việc làm của sinh viên quốc tế, giúp bạn nắm rõ quyền lợi và trách nhiệm để tránh vi phạm điều kiện trên giấy phép du học (study permit).

General regulations

• Không cần giấy phép lao động (work permit): Phần lớn sinh viên quốc tế được phép làm việc mà không phải xin work permit riêng, nếu đáp ứng đủ điều kiện.
• Number of working hours:
  • On campus: Unlimited hours.
  • Off-campus: Maximum 24 hours/week during regular school terms, unlimited during scheduled school breaks.
• Bắt buộc có Social Insurance Number (SIN): Đây là mã số 9 chữ số dùng cho mục đích việc làm, khai thuế và nhận phúc lợi của chính phủ.
• Prerequisite: May only work after the course has officially begun.

Violation of study permit conditions may result in loss of student status, refusal of future study/work permits, or deportation from Canada.

Terminology explained

• On-campus: Work on campus, including the library, cafeteria, student center, or businesses that operate on campus.
• Off-campus: Work outside the campus, such as convenience stores, movie theaters, delivery services (Uber), tutoring…
• Remote work: Working remotely for a business that is entirely outside of Canada, with no activities or financial transactions involving the Canadian labor market.

On-campus work

Eligibility

• Is a full-time student at:
  • Public schools (college, university, CEGEP in Québec);
  • Private schools are regulated like public schools in Québec;
  • Private schools in Canada are authorized to award provincially recognized degrees.
• Have a valid study permit that clearly states permission to work on campus.
• Part-time students in their final semester are still eligible if they were previously full-time students.

Note:

• Can work for the school, lecturers, student organizations, businesses located on campus or self-employed within the campus.
• Students who wish to work in a hospital, library, or affiliated research facility may need to take a medical examination.
• Must stop working if: stop studying full-time (except the final semester), study permit expires, is on approved leave of absence, or transfers schools without resuming classes.

Work off-campus

Eligibility

• Studying full-time at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
• A program of study of at least 6 months duration and leading to a degree, certificate or diploma.
• The course has started.

Regulation of working hours

• During term: maximum 24 hours/week (can be accumulated from multiple jobs).
• Official vacation (at least 7 consecutive days): unlimited hours, maximum 180 days/year.
• Individual holidays such as Canada Day are not counted unless they fall within the school's published holidays.

Ineligible cases

• Study permit ghi rõ không được phép làm việc ngoài trường.
• Take only ESL/FSL (English/French) programs, hobby courses, or preparatory courses to enter the main program.

If you switch to a program that allows you to work off-campus, you will need to apply for a change of conditions on your study permit.

Internship and Co-op

If the program requires an internship (co-op) to graduate, the student needs a co-op work permit.

• Requirements: Valid study permit and letter from school stating internship is required.
• Only applicable when internship duration ≤ 50% of total study program.
• ESL/FSL, hobby, or preparatory course students are not eligible and must apply for a regular work permit.

Remote work for foreign enterprises

Students can work online for companies outside Canada without any limit on hours, as long as:

• The Company has no headquarters, operations or financial dealings in Canada.
• Does not serve customers in Canada and does not accept payments from Canadian organizations.

This form does not count towards the 24 hours/week of off-campus work.

Authorized leave

Students may take up to 150 days off with school approval, for example:

• School closed or on strike.
• Transfer school.
• Postpone the start date.
• Health reasons, pregnancy, family emergency.

During the leave period, students are not allowed to work either on-campus or off-campus.

Conclusion

Understanding the regulations for working while studying in Canada helps students take advantage of opportunities to earn extra income, gain experience while still complying with immigration laws. Closely monitor work hours, study permit conditions and notifications from schools to avoid risks related to residency status.