Working On-Campus and Off-Campus in Canada: A Complete Guide for Students

You don’t have time to scroll through ten different sites to figure out jobs in Canada. That’s why this blog packs everything in one place. From rules, hours, pay, to what’s allowed and what’s not, we’ve broken it all down. This guide on Working On-Campus and Off-Campus Canada answers every question students type into Google. Read it once and you’ll know exactly how on-campus and off-campus jobs work, what to expect, and how to stay within the rules while still making money.

Working On-Campus and Off-Campus in Canada

You can work while studying in Canada. There are two main ways: on-campus and off-campus. On-campus work is inside your school, labs, or affiliated facilities. Off-campus work happens outside campus, like in stores, offices, or freelance. Both let you earn money, gain experience, and build skills. Here’s everything at a glance:

Aspect	On-Campus	Off-Campus
Where you can work	School campus buildings, labs, libraries, or affiliated hospitals if research-related	Anywhere outside campus: cafes, stores, offices, freelance
Who can work	Full-time students at eligible schools, with study permit allowing work and a SIN. Last-semester part-time students allowed	Full-time students at DLIs, in programs 6+ months leading to degree/diploma/certificate, with SIN. Last-semester part-time students allowed
Who cannot work	Not full-time, study permit expired, on leave, or switching schools	Study permit disallows off-campus work, ESL/FSL courses, general interest/prerequisite courses, or on leave
Number of hours you can work	Unlimited on-campus. Can combine with off-campus work	24 hrs/week during school. Unlimited during scheduled breaks if full-time before & after
Pay / Minimum wage	Paid by school, faculty, student org, or private campus business. Minimum wage CAD 14 to CAD 19/hr (2025)	Paid by employer off-campus. Follows provincial laws. Minimum wage CAD 14 to CAD 19/hr (2025)
Special rules / notes	Teaching/research assistants may work off-campus at affiliated facilities. Own campus business allowed	Must track hours. Self-employed students responsible for recording. Cannot exceed 24 hrs/week unless break or approved program

Working On-Campus in Canada

On-campus jobs are the easiest way for international students to start working in Canada. These jobs are based right inside your school, so you save time on travel and deal directly with people connected to your studies. Compared to off-campus jobs, they have fewer options but also fewer restrictions because you don’t need a separate work permit. Let’s understand more.

Who Can Work On-Campus in Canada?

• You must be a full-time student at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
  
• You need a valid study permit.
  
• You must have a Social Insurance Number (SIN).
  
• You can also work on-campus if you are in your final semester as a part-time student (only if it’s required to finish your program).

Who Cannot Work On-Campus?

You cannot work on-campus if:

• Your study permit has expired.
  
• You are not enrolled as a student.
  
• You are on authorized leave or have deferred studies.

Where Can You Work On-Campus?

On-campus work means anywhere inside your school’s campus boundaries. This includes:

• University library, labs, gyms, or admin offices.
  
• Campus bookstore, cafeteria, or student services.
  
• Some campuses count facilities directly connected to your school (like a research lab across the street).

Who Can You Work For On-Campus?

• Your school (directly).
  
• A faculty member or researcher (example: paid research assistant).
  
• A student organization or campus club.
  
• A private business located on-campus (like a coffee shop in the student center).
  
• A contractor providing on-campus services.

How Many Hours Can You Work On-Campus?

• No official hour limit. You can technically work as many hours as you want.
  
• But your school may set its own rules (for example, 20 hours per week during term time).
  
• Most students keep it part-time during classes to balance studies.

On-Campus Pay and Minimum Wage

• Pay usually follows the provincial minimum wage: CAD 14–19 per hour.
  
• Typical roles include library assistant, IT support, lab work, or barista on campus.
  
• On-campus jobs may pay less than off-campus jobs, but they offer flexibility and no travel.

Also Read: How to Settle in Canada from India as a Student?

Working Off-Campus in Canada

Off-campus work gives students more flexibility because you can work anywhere outside your school. Unlike on-campus jobs, these can be at restaurants, retail stores, offices, or even internships. But off-campus work comes with strict rules about who can work, how many hours, and what exceptions apply. Let’s break it down:

Who Can Work Off-Campus in Canada?

You can work off-campus if:

• You are a full-time student at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
  
• Your study program is at least 6 months long and leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate.
  
• Your study permit has a condition that allows you to work off-campus.
  
• You have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN).

Eligibility Requirements to Work Off-Campus

• Enrollment: Must stay enrolled as a full-time student (except last semester).
  
• Program type: Must be an academic, vocational, or professional training program (not general interest or short-term courses).
  
• Program length: Minimum 6 months in duration.
  
• Permit: Study permit must explicitly allow off-campus work.

Who Cannot Work Off-Campus?

You cannot work off-campus if:

• You are studying English or French as a second language (ESL/FSL program).
  
• You are in a short-term program less than 6 months.
  
• You are on an exchange or visiting program that does not give a degree or diploma.
  
• Your study permit does not allow work or is expired.
  
• You have taken an authorized leave or dropped to part-time (except last semester).

How Many Hours Can You Work Off-Campus?

• During school: You can work up to 24 hours per week (updated IRCC rule for 2025).
  
• During breaks (scheduled holidays, summer/winter vacation): You can work full-time.
  
• Mixing with on-campus work: If you have both, you can work unlimited hours on-campus plus 24 hours per week off-campus.

Off-Campus Pay and Minimum Wage

• Wages are usually higher than on-campus jobs because of more options.
  
• Pay depends on the type of job, province, and industry.
  
• Minimum wage in Canada (2025): CAD 14 to CAD 19 per hour, depending on province.
  
• Average part-time off-campus jobs like retail, food service, or warehouse pay around CAD 16 to CAD 20 per hour.
  
• Professional roles or internships can pay higher.

Exceptions to Off-Campus Work Rules

• Students in ESL/FSL programs cannot work off-campus at all.
  
• Students on authorized leave or who stop studying immediately lose the right to work.
  
• If you change schools or programs, you must update IRCC and maintain eligibility.
  
• Breaks must be scheduled by your institution to count for full-time work rights.

Working After Completing Your Study Program

• Once you finish your program, you cannot keep working off-campus, even if your study permit is still valid.
  
• To continue working, you must apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
  
• You may be allowed to work full-time while waiting for a PGWP decision, if you applied before your study permit expired.

Also Read: Cost of Living in Canada: Updated Prices

What Is a Social Insurance Number (SIN) for Working in Canada?

If you plan to work on-campus or off-campus in Canada, you need a Social Insurance Number (SIN). It’s a 9-digit number issued by the Government of Canada that gives you legal permission to get paid for any job. Without a SIN, you cannot work or get paid, even if you already have a valid study permit.

Why You Need a SIN

• It allows you to work legally in Canada.
  
• Employers need it to put you on payroll.
  
• It is used to report your income and taxes.
  
• Both on-campus and off-campus jobs require SIN.

How to Apply for a SIN

You can apply for a SIN in three ways:

1. Online: Fastest and easiest option.
   
2. By Mail: If you cannot apply online.
   
3. In Person: At a Service Canada Centre (appointment may be required).

Processing time:

• Online/in-person: usually within a few business days.
  
• By mail: up to 20 business days.

Documents Required to Apply for a SIN

To apply, you must show original documents (no photocopies). The key ones for international students are:

• Study permit issued by IRCC that clearly states you may work on- or off-campus.
  
• Passport or travel document (for identity proof).
  
• If your study permit doesn’t clearly state you can work, you must request an amendment from IRCC before applying.

Co-op Placements and Internships in Canada

Apart from on-campus and off-campus part-time jobs, Canada also offers co-op placements and internships. These are usually tied to your study program and give you real-world work experience. Unlike part-time jobs, co-ops and internships are part of your education and often required to finish your course.

How Co-op Programs Work

• A co-op (co-operative education) is when your college/university makes work experience part of your study plan.
  
• You study for one term and then work for the next, in a cycle.
  
• Your co-op job must directly relate to your program (for example, IT students work with tech companies).
  
• To work in a co-op, you need a co-op work permit in addition to your study permit.

Eligibility for Co-op Placements

You can do a co-op if:

• You have a valid study permit.
  
• Your program requires work experience to graduate.
  
• You apply for and get a co-op work permit from IRCC.

You cannot do a co-op if your course is mainly:

• English or French as a second language (ESL/FSL).
  
• General interest or prep courses not linked to a career.

Paid vs Unpaid Internships

• Paid Internships
  
  • Often linked to co-op programs.
    
  • You earn money while gaining experience.
    
  • Pay depends on the field and province, but must follow minimum wage rules if paid.
    
• Unpaid Internships
  
  • Some study programs may include unpaid training.
    
  • In most provinces, unpaid internships are only legal if they are part of an official study program.
    
  • They still give you credits and experience, but no salary.

Work While Studying: Tips for International Students

Studying in Canada is the main goal, but working while studying can help you cover costs and gain experience. To do it right, you must balance studies and work while following the government’s rules.

Balancing Studies and Work

• Your studies must always come first. Working too many hours can harm your grades and affect your immigration status.
  
• Plan your work schedule around your classes, not the other way around.
  
• Choose jobs close to campus or online roles that save travel time.
  
• Don’t overcommit. Most students work 15–20 hours a week comfortably while studying full-time.

Rules During Regular School Terms

• You can usually work up to 20 hours per week off-campus during regular terms (this is the standard IRCC rule, with some temporary policies allowing more).
  
• On-campus work has no fixed weekly limit, but you must remain a full-time student.
  
• Breaking work-hour rules can risk your study permit and future immigration options.

Rules During Scheduled Breaks

• During scheduled breaks (like summer vacation, winter holidays, or spring break), you can work full-time off-campus if you are a full-time student before and after the break.
  
• On-campus jobs also allow full-time hours during these breaks.
  
• Always check your academic calendar. Not every short gap counts as a “scheduled break.”

Self-Employment and Freelancing Options

• International students are not allowed to freelance or be self-employed while on a study permit unless they qualify under separate work authorization.
  
• Examples of restricted work:
  
  • Running your own business
    
  • Freelance content creation (YouTube, blogging, online tutoring for pay)
    
  • Driving for Uber or delivery apps as an independent contractor
    
• You can only work as an employee (on-campus or off-campus) with a valid SIN and within the allowed hours.

Also Read: Living in Toronto as a Student

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This was your complete guide on Working On-Campus and Off-Campus in Canada, covering rules, hours, eligibility, pay, and everything in between. With this, you know exactly how to balance part-time work with studies without breaking any rules. For more guidance on jobs, courses, and study abroad planning, visit the Study Abroad page at Leverage Edu and stay updated.