Two Ways International Students Can Legally Work Unlimited Hours in Canada During Studies
International students in Canada are normally restricted to working up to 24 hours per week during academic sessions, but there are specific situations where they can legally work without any hourly cap. These exemptions are limited but provide important opportunities for students to support themselves financially while studying.
Unlimited Work Options for International Students
- On-Campus Employment
- Students can work unlimited hours for employers located within their school campus.
- Eligible on-campus employers include:
- The school or its departments.
- A faculty member.
- Student associations.
- Self-owned businesses operating physically on campus.
- Private businesses and contractors providing services on campus.
- Students employed as teaching or research assistants can also work at affiliated facilities like libraries, hospitals, or research centers, even if these are outside the main campus.
- Freelancing for International Clients
- Students may work as independent contractors for foreign clients, without restrictions on hours.
- Since this work is directed toward clients outside Canada, it is not considered entering the Canadian labour market.
- Foreign employers are generally defined as businesses operating outside Canada, without a CRA business number or Canadian address.
- Students must still declare all worldwide income in their Canadian tax filings and may be required to pay CPP contributions on self-employment earnings.
General Rules for Student Work Authorization
- Work is only permitted after the study program officially begins.
- The study permit must explicitly authorize work (on-campus or off-campus).
- Students must have a Social Insurance Number (SIN).
- They must remain enrolled full-time at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), unless they are in their final semester and studying part-time to complete their program.
- They must maintain valid study permit status and leave Canada once it expires.
Special Cases
- Students can work unlimited hours during scheduled academic breaks (e.g., winter holidays, summer break, or spring reading week) lasting at least seven consecutive days.
- Part-time students in their final semester remain eligible for unlimited on-campus work if all previous terms were full-time.
- Work experience gained as a student does not count toward Canadian Experience Class (CEC) but may count for Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or Express Entry’s foreign work experience factors.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
