Earn While You Learn: Part-Time Work Options in Canada

Part-time Work in Canada for International Students

For international students in Canada, especially those from developing countries, the option to work part-time while studying is a great blessing. Although students must submit proof of sufficient funds to meet their study and living costs, working part-time benefits them in many ways; including:

• Gaining Canadian work experience, which can be an added attraction to their CV
• Getting extra spending allowance while living in Canada
• Establishing contacts and strengthening their network, if they are planning to obtain Permanent Residence Status
• The business contacts they establish may help them at the time of immigration
• A part-time job can turn into a full-time permanent position

Part-time Work Options

Working off-campus:

Under Off-campus Work Permit Program, a student can work up to 20 hours a week during regular academic sessions and 40 hours a week during holidays and spring break. To be eligible to work off-campus, the student must:

• Be a full-time student with a valid study permit
• Have a Social Insurance Number(SIN)
• Be enrolled at a Designated Learning Institution(DLI) at post-secondary level
• Be studying in a vocational program (if he/she is living in Quebec)
• Be enrolled in a program to obtain a degree, diploma or certificate

Work on-campus:

To work on campus, the student:

• Does not need to have a Social Insurance Number (SIN).
• Can work more than 20 hours a week.

Co-op/Internships:

Co-op/Internship Work Permit Program is meant for international students who have to take up employment as part of their study program in Canada. The work portion of such programs of study is sometimes 50 percent of the study program.

Types of jobs

Students have numerous options when it comes to part-time work including:

• Bookkeeper
• Customer Service Assistant
• Sales Assistant
• Office Assistant
• Painter
• Cook
• Educational Interpreter
• Lifeguard

On an average, the rate of pay is CAD $10 per hour.

Guide for Part-Time Work in Canada

• It is ideal to choose a job that is related to the field of your study program.
• You have to be careful when choosing your job, as it may have an impact on the kind of job you will get next.
• Try to impress your employer while working part-time as it can benefit you in the future when trying to find a job after completing your studies.