All About: Working in Canada as an International Student
What to expect when working on- or off-campus, and how to stay in Canada to work after you graduate.
This article is part of our About Canada series. Check out the other articles in this series here.
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Tuition fees for international students are usually higher than their domestic counterparts. Many international students take on a part-time job during the school year so they can make some extra money. Here's what you need to know about working in Canada as an international student.
Finding a job in Canada
Most schools offer Career Centres, with staff available to help find openings and review application documents. To get a student job in Canada, at minimum you'll need a resumé (sometimes called a CV). You may also require a cover letter, references, and in rare cases, a police check.
Alternatives to your school's Career Centre include the StudyinCanada Job Opportunities page and the Government of Canada's Job Bank.
Working on-campus is generally preferable to working off-campus, as on-campus positions are more likely to be sensitive to the needs of international students, especially regarding work-life balance and fair treatment. Some jobs can be performed remotely, which is helpful for students as well.
Be aware that you'll need a SIN — a social insurance number — to legally work in Canada. You should apply for a SIN as soon as you can after arriving in Canada. To do so, you'll have to visit a Service Canada office near you, and fill out some paperwork.
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Working: wages and restrictions
International students are eligible to work up to 20 hours per week during study periods, with no restrictions on hours during summer vacations and other holidays. The 20 hour limit doesn't apply to co-op programs, though! If you're doing a co-op program or internship through school, you won't be subject to the 20 hour limit. The limit is only for paid employment outside school.
The minimum hourly wage varies by province and territory. Nunavut offers the highest minimum wage, at $16 per hour, while Saskatchewan is lowest, at $11.81. The cross-country average is approximately $14 per hour. Minimum wage is related to the cost of living: more expensive places usually offer higher wages.
Certain jobs, like alcohol servers, have a different minimum wage structure. People in these roles typically make up the difference in gratuities (called 'tips'), which are common in the service industry.
Remember: you have rights as a worker. If you feel your employer is taking advantage of you, report the abuse.
Check out this piece from the Canadian University Application Centre to learn more about working in Canada as an international student.
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Post-graduation work permits (PWGP)
Once you graduate, you may be eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). This is a document from Immigration and Citizenship Canada that lets you work in Canada for up to three years after you graduate. The length of your PGWP is dependent on your original program of study, though:
Program length: 8 months to 23 months
You could get a PGWP that lasts as long as your original study period. So if your program was 12 months, you could get a PGWP that lasts another 12 months.
Program length: 2 years or more
You could get a PGWP that lasts up to three (3) years. You might even be able to combine this with a second program of study to extend it further.
The fine details are available on the Immigration and Citizenship Canada website.
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Find a job in Canada