Updated: October 10, 2026 | Reading time: 13 min | Written by: StudyTribune Team
Part-time jobs for students in Canada are open to most international students on a study permit, but the rules changed and many guides still show the old ones. Students can now work up to 24 hours a week off campus during term, with no limit during scheduled breaks, and there is no hour limit for on-campus jobs. Since 1 April 2026, post-secondary students no longer need a co-op work permit for required placements. This guide to part-time jobs for students in Canada explains who can work, how many hours you may work, what each province pays, which jobs suit students and the mistakes that put a study permit at risk.
Quick answer: you can work up to 24 hours a week off campus during term and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks, and there is no limit on campus. You need a full-time place at a designated learning institution, the right condition on your study permit and a social insurance number (SIN). Part-time wages cannot count toward your proof of funds, so plan your budget before you arrive.
Table of Contents
What Changed for Part-Time Jobs for Students in Canada in 2026
- The off-campus limit is 24 hours. Older guides say 20. IRCC says that even if your permit still shows 20 hours, you may work up to 24 as long as you meet the eligibility requirements.
- No co-op work permit for post-secondary students. As of 1 April 2026, you do not need one for required co-ops or internships. Secondary students still do.
- The proof-of-funds amount rose. For study permit applications from 1 September 2026, a single applicant outside Quebec must show $23,448 for living costs, up from $22,895, plus tuition and travel.
- Spouse work permits are limited. Since 21 January 2025 only some students’ spouses qualify.
- Minimum wages rose again on 1 October 2026 in Ontario, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan.
Part-Time Jobs for Students in Canada: The Rules at a Glance
| Type of work | Hour limit | Work permit needed? | Key condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| On campus | No limit during term or breaks | No | Full-time at a DLI, SIN, and the right condition printed on your study permit |
| Off campus | 24 hours a week during term; unlimited during scheduled breaks | No | Program of at least 6 months leading to a degree, diploma or certificate; SIN; off-campus condition on your permit |
| Co-op or internship (post-secondary) | No weekly limit; placement can be at most 50% of the program | No (since 1 April 2026) | Placement is required for your program and your school confirms it in a letter |
| Remote work for an employer outside Canada | Not counted in the 24 hours | No | You must still meet your study permit conditions |
These rules for part-time jobs for students in Canada come from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Work includes any activity you are paid to do, and unpaid roles that are normally paid or count as valuable work experience, such as an unpaid internship.
Who Can Take Part-Time Jobs for Students in Canada Off Campus
You can work off campus without a work permit only if you meet all of these requirements:
- you are a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI);
- you have started your study program;
- you are in a post-secondary academic, vocational or professional training program, or a secondary-level vocational program in Quebec;
- you have a valid study permit or applied to extend it before it expired;
- your program lasts at least six months and leads to a degree, diploma or certificate;
- your initial study permit has a condition allowing off-campus work;
- you have a SIN.
You cannot work off campus without a work permit if you are only in an English or French as a second language program, only taking general interest courses, only taking courses to enter a full-time program, or your permit says you cannot work off campus. You also cannot work while on an authorized leave or while switching schools. A part-time course load is allowed only in your final semester if you were full-time in every earlier semester.
Your SIN and Study Permit Conditions
You need a nine-digit social insurance number before you start work. To apply for one you must have a work condition printed on your study permit. If it is missing and you are eligible, ask IRCC to add it by requesting an amendment to your study permit. There is no fee, and you must do it before you apply for a SIN. You can apply for the SIN online, which is usually faster than in person or by mail.
How Many Hours Can You Work?
IRCC sets the hour limits:
- During term: up to 24 hours per week off campus. You can add up hours from more than one job.
- During scheduled breaks: unlimited hours off campus, such as summer and winter holidays or a reading week. Taking courses during the break does not change this.
- If your program has no scheduled breaks: 24 hours per week.
- On campus: no limit, term or break.
You are responsible for tracking your own hours, which count any time you spend earning wages or commission. Working more than 24 hours a week during term breaks your permit conditions. IRCC says you can lose student status, may be refused future permits and may have to leave Canada. Read IRCC’s page on the consequences of unauthorized work.
Work for an employer outside Canada done remotely does not count toward the 24-hour limit, provided you still meet your study permit conditions.
Best On-Campus Part-Time Jobs for Students in Canada
On-campus work has no hour cap, and your employer can be the school, a faculty member, a student organization, a private business or a contractor that serves the school. You can work at all buildings on your campus. You can also work at a library, hospital or research facility linked to your school, or as a teaching or research assistant on a research grant, even if the location is not on campus.
| On-campus job | Typical employer | Why it suits students | Watch out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Library assistant | University library | Quiet shifts, easy to study between tasks | Hours may be capped by the department even though IRCC has no cap |
| Teaching or research assistant | Faculty or department | Builds academic references; some roles are tied to research grants | Often a graduate-student role, so check your eligibility |
| Student ambassador or tour guide | Admissions or recruitment office | Flexible shifts and good for networking | Often seasonal |
| Dining, café or bookstore staff | Campus food or retail operators | Many shifts and easy to schedule around lectures | Hours can drop in exam periods |
| IT help desk or lab assistant | IT services, labs | Relevant skills for technical programs | May need a technical interview |
| Recreation centre or residence staff | Athletics, student housing | Short walks from class and from home | Residence roles may require training in the first term |
| Peer tutor or writing centre assistant | Learning support office | Higher status and strong CV value | Needs good grades in the subject |
Best Off-Campus Part-Time Jobs for Students in Canada
Most off-campus part-time jobs for students in Canada are in retail, hospitality, customer service and tutoring. Every hour counts toward your 24-hour weekly limit during term.
| Off-campus job | Typical employer | Why it suits students | Watch out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail associate or cashier | Stores, grocery chains | Many openings and flexible shifts | Evening and weekend shifts can clash with classes |
| Server, host or cook | Restaurants, cafés | Tips can add to the hourly wage | Late hours; count every hour toward your 24-hour limit |
| Barista | Coffee chains | Short training and steady shifts | Early mornings |
| Customer service representative | Call centres, banks, telecom firms | Indoor work and steady schedules | Some roles expect French |
| Warehouse or package handler | Logistics and delivery companies | Pay is often above the minimum wage | Physical work and fixed shifts |
| Private tutor | Tutoring companies, families | Higher hourly pay for strong subject skills | Self-employed hours still count toward your limit, and you must keep your own records |
| Field-related part-time job | Companies in your area of study | Builds Canadian experience | Harder to find in the first term |
Gig and contract work such as freelance tutoring also counts. IRCC says self-employed students must keep track of their hours and be able to prove they follow their permit conditions.
What Part-Time Jobs for Students in Canada Pay: Minimum Wage by Province
Each province sets its own minimum wage, and many student jobs pay at or slightly above it. The table shows the general minimum wage in October 2026 and what 24 hours a week earns before tax.
| Province | Minimum wage per hour | In effect since | Gross for 24 hours a week | Approx. gross per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $15.00 | 1 Oct 2018 (unchanged) | $360.00 | $1,560 |
| British Columbia | $18.25 | 1 Jun 2026 | $438.00 | $1,898 |
| Manitoba | $16.40 | 1 Oct 2026 | $393.60 | $1,706 |
| New Brunswick | $15.90 | 1 Apr 2026 | $381.60 | $1,654 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $16.35 | 1 Apr 2026 | $392.40 | $1,700 |
| Nova Scotia | $17.00 | 1 Oct 2026 | $408.00 | $1,768 |
| Ontario | $17.95 | 1 Oct 2026 | $430.80 | $1,867 |
| Prince Edward Island | $17.30 | 1 Oct 2026 | $415.20 | $1,799 |
| Quebec | $16.60 | 1 May 2026 | $398.40 | $1,726 |
| Saskatchewan | $15.70 | 1 Oct 2026 | $376.80 | $1,633 |
British Columbia has the highest provincial minimum wage and Alberta the lowest, unchanged since 2018. During a scheduled break you can work full time: eight weeks at 40 hours a week at Ontario’s $17.95 would be about $5,744 gross. These are minimums, and pay depends on the employer, the role and tips. Wage rates come from provincial governments as reported by HR Reporter and law-firm summaries, and Northwest Territories and Nunavut are not shown.
Can Part-Time Jobs for Students in Canada Pay for Your Studies?
Not on their own. For study permit applications from 1 September 2026, a single applicant outside Quebec must show $23,448 for living costs plus a year of tuition and travel, according to Simon Fraser University’s update on the IRCC change. IRCC expects you to show this money without relying on jobs in Canada. Even working 24 hours a week all year at Ontario’s minimum wage grosses about $22,400, before tax and before the weeks your classes make that hard.
Treat part-time income as a help with living costs, and cut your tuition bill with scholarships. Read our guide to getting a free master’s degree, find scholarships without IELTS, and prepare a strong recommendation letter for a scholarship.
Part-Time Jobs for Students in Canada: Co-op and Internships After April 2026
Co-ops, internships, practicums and mentorship programs are student work placements. As of 1 April 2026, post-secondary international students do not need a co-op work permit for them. You are eligible if:
- you have a work condition on your initial study permit;
- your designated learning institution gives you a letter confirming that the placement is a requirement of your program;
- you are a full-time post-secondary student with a valid study permit;
- the placement is 50% or less of your program.
There is no weekly hour limit for placements, and you can work for any employer your school’s placement program accepts, even off campus. Existing co-op work permits stay valid. Secondary school students still need a co-op work permit. You cannot take part if you are only in language courses, general interest courses or preparatory courses.
Can Your Spouse Work While You Study?
Only some spouses and common-law partners qualify. Since 21 January 2025, they may get an open work permit if you hold a valid study permit and are in a master’s program of 16 months or longer, a doctoral program, an eligible program, or a listed professional degree at a university (such as medicine, law, pharmacy, nursing, education and engineering). Undergraduate students’ partners generally do not qualify under this rule, so check IRCC’s page before you plan a household budget on two incomes.
How to Find Part-Time Jobs for Students in Canada
- Start with your campus. Check the student employment or career centre and department postings. On-campus jobs have no hour cap, and supervisors know your schedule.
- Use the Government of Canada Job Bank and company career pages for off-campus roles.
- Write a Canadian-style CV. Keep it short and focused on skills and results, and see our CV guide.
- Ask for your SIN early. Employers need it within a short time of hiring you.
- Watch for scams. Never pay a fee for a job offer, and verify the employer before you share documents.
- Quebec: many customer-facing jobs expect French, and Quebec has its own study permit process through the CAQ.
How to Start Working Legally as an International Student in Canada
- Check your study permit conditions. Read the conditions on your study permit. You need one that allows work on or off campus, such as the 24 hours per week condition or the condition that allows employment if you meet the criteria.
- Confirm you meet the eligibility rules. Check that you are a full-time student at a designated learning institution, have started your program, and for off-campus work are in a program of at least six months that leads to a degree, diploma or certificate.
- Add the work condition if it is missing. If your permit lacks the condition and you are eligible, request an amendment to your study permit. There is no fee.
- Apply for your social insurance number. Apply online to Service Canada for a SIN. You need one before you start work.
- Find a job that fits your hours. Search campus job boards and your school’s career centre for on-campus jobs, and the Government of Canada Job Bank and company career pages for off-campus jobs.
- Track your hours. Keep a record of every hour you work off campus and keep it within 24 hours a week during term. You must be able to prove you are complying with your permit.
- Plan for breaks and placements. Use scheduled breaks to work more hours, and check with your school if your program has a required co-op or internship.
Common Mistakes with Part-Time Jobs for Students in Canada
- Going over 24 hours. Count every job, and record your hours weekly.
- Starting before your program starts. You cannot work before your studies begin.
- Working without a SIN or permit condition. Check both before your first shift.
- Believing old advice. A 20-hour cap and a co-op work permit for every placement are both outdated.
- Counting expected wages as proof of funds. IRCC expects your funds to be independent of Canadian employment.
- Working on a language-only program. ESL or FSL programs alone do not allow off-campus work.
- Planning a spouse’s income without checking. Only some programs qualify.
Frequently Asked Questions About Part-Time Jobs for Students in Canada
How many hours can international students work in Canada?
International students can work up to 24 hours per week off campus during regular terms and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks such as summer and winter holidays. There is no hour limit for on-campus work. If your permit still says 20 hours, IRCC says you can work 24 as long as you meet the eligibility requirements.
Do I need a work permit for part-time jobs for students in Canada?
No, not for on-campus or off-campus part-time work if you meet the requirements. You need to be a full-time student at a designated learning institution, have the right work condition on your study permit and have a social insurance number (SIN). Your program must also be at least six months long and lead to a degree, diploma or certificate for off-campus work.
Can I work on campus without a work permit?
Yes. If you are a full-time student at a designated learning institution with the right condition on your study permit and a SIN, you can work on campus with no hour limit during terms or breaks. An on-campus employer can be the school, a faculty member, a student organization, a private business or a contractor serving the school.
Do I need a co-op work permit?
Not if you are a post-secondary student. As of 1 April 2026, post-secondary international students do not need a co-op work permit for co-ops or internships. You need a letter from your school confirming that the placement is required, and the placement can be at most 50% of your program. Secondary students still need a co-op work permit.
Can I start part-time jobs for students in Canada before my studies begin?
No. IRCC says you can only start working in Canada when you start your study program. You also must stop working if your study permit expires, you go on an authorized leave or you switch schools and are not studying.
Can I take part-time jobs for students in Canada if I only study ESL or FSL?
No. Students enrolled only in English or French as a second language, general interest courses or courses needed to enter a full-time program cannot work off campus without a work permit.
What happens if my part-time jobs for students in Canada exceed 24 hours a week?
Working more than 24 hours a week off campus during a regular term violates your study permit conditions. IRCC says you can lose your student status, may not be approved for a study or work permit in the future and may have to leave the country.
Can I work remotely for a company outside Canada?
Yes, as long as you still meet your study permit conditions. IRCC says this type of work does not count toward your 24-hour off-campus limit.
How much can I earn from part-time jobs for students in Canada?
At the Ontario minimum wage of $17.95, working 24 hours a week earns about $430.80 gross. At Alberta’s $15.00 it is $360.00, and in British Columbia at $18.25 it is $438.00. Many jobs pay more than the minimum wage, and servers also earn tips.
Can part-time wages count as proof of funds for a study permit?
No. IRCC expects applicants to show they can support themselves without relying on employment in Canada. From 1 September 2026, a single applicant outside Quebec must show $23,448 for living costs, plus tuition and travel.
Can my spouse work in Canada while I study?
Only in some cases. Since 21 January 2025, a spouse or common-law partner may get an open work permit if you are in a master’s program of 16 months or longer, a doctoral program, an eligible program or one of the listed professional degrees at a university.
Related Reading
- Study and work opportunities in Canada for international students
- Start your degree in Canada without IELTS
- English proficiency certificate guide
- Scholarship deadlines: apply now
- Personal statement for a scholarship
- Humber International Entrance Scholarships
Official sources: IRCC’s pages on working off campus, working on campus, student work placements and spouse work permits.
Conclusion
The best part-time jobs for students in Canada are the ones that fit inside your study permit: on-campus roles with no hour cap, off-campus jobs under 24 hours a week during term, and full-time work during scheduled breaks. Confirm your own permit conditions on IRCC’s website before your first shift, because the rules can change.