Canada is an exceptional place for studying, but paying for tuition as well as the living costs can be difficult for international students to manage.
Can International Students Work More Than 24 Hours in Canada?
Canada is an exceptional place for studying, but paying for tuition as well as the living costs can be difficult for international students to manage. Normally, the government allows only 24 hours of off-campus work per week during classes. The purpose of this rule is to keep the focus of students on their studies, but it makes it harder to manage money.
There are two legal ways for international students to work unlimited hours without breaking any study permit rules. Let’s go through both options.
Option 1: Unlimited On-Campus Employment
The first option for international students is to work on campus. With on-campus jobs, you can work as many hours as you want, even during regular classes, without any limit.
What Counts as On-Campus Work?
On-campus jobs are the ones you do within your college or university. These can include working in the library, cafeteria, bookstore, or offices. You can also work as a teaching or research assistant, or even start a small business on campus, like tutoring or selling coffee.
If your job is part of a research project funded by your school, you may also work at other places connected to your institution, such as a research center or hospital.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for unlimited on-campus work, you must:
- Be a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI).
- Hold a valid study permit that allows work.
- Possess a Social Insurance Number (SIN) for paid employment.
- Remain enrolled and make academic progress.
A key exception for your final semester:
You can work on-campus during your final academic session even if you are studying part-time, but only if:
- You were a full-time student in Canada up until this final session, and
- Your school confirms (e.g., in a letter) that the part-time course load is all you need to complete your program.
Advantages of On-Campus Work
On-campus jobs have flexible hours, so it is easier to manage both work and studies. You can earn more money without worrying about hour limits, and working at your school helps you connect with professors and staff, which can help your career later.
Things to Keep in Mind
Ensure that your job is genuinely on campus. If you work at a location not owned or operated by your institution, it may be considered off-campus work, which is subject to the 24-hour weekly limit. Always maintain your active student status and comply with the conditions of your study permit.
Option 2: Freelancing or Content Creation for Clients Outside Canada
The second way to work unlimited hours is by freelancing or being self-employed for clients outside Canada. This can include online work like graphic design, web development, content writing, or earning money as a digital creator or influencer with an audience or clients mainly outside Canada.
How it Works
This kind of work is usually not covered by Canadian job rules because it doesn’t involve the Canadian job market. Your clients or employers are from other countries, and your work is for people or businesses outside Canada. For example, if you’re a freelance designer working for U.S. companies or a YouTuber earning from viewers in Europe or Asia, your income is not connected to a Canadian business.
Important Note: This understanding of the rules is widely accepted since IRCC mainly regulates work within Canada’s economy. However, you must make sure your work has no link to Canadian clients or the Canadian market to stay within the rules.
Responsibilities and Compliance
Even though you can work unlimited hours, you still need to follow Canadian tax rules. If you live in Canada for studies, you must report all the money you earn, including income from international freelance work. If you make over $30,000 a year, you may need to register for and collect GST/HST. Also, make sure to keep your study permit valid and stay enrolled full-time in your program.
Benefits of Freelancing
Freelancing gives you complete freedom as you can work from anywhere, choose your own hours, and take on as much work as you want. It is a good way to build international experience, improve your skills, and earn money while studying.
Points to Remember
Ensure that your clients and revenue streams are genuinely based outside Canada. If your clients or sponsors have Canadian business ties, your work might be reclassified as off-campus work, subject to the 24-hour limit. Critically, freelance or self-employed income does not count toward Canadian work experience for immigration programs like the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), so plan your long-term strategy accordingly.
Conclusion
For international students in Canada needing more income, two legal options allow you to work unlimited hours: getting a job on-campus or freelancing for clients outside Canada. To stay legal, always check your study permit, keep your full-time student status, and remember your tax duties. This way, you can earn money and gain experience without breaking the rules.