Temporary visa to do your internship, work or study in Canada
A temporary resident visa is required for visitors to Canada who wish to work, study, or intern in the country. It is still necessary to obtain a work visa, even if you only want to complete an unpaid internship.
Canada’s International Adventures
Temporary work permits designed especially for young people are the focus of the “International Experience Canada” initiative. It’s possible to apply for this visa between 18 and 31.
Due to the scarcity of available work permits, prompt registration is required. Also, applications are only accepted once (maybe twice) a year. Therefore, you should prepare for your vacation for six to twelve months.
There are three distinct visa kinds that the programme may process.
It’s important to note that not all countries have access to all IEC visa types.
Furthermore, the maximum age, visa term, and the number of work permits are all country-specific.
Open Work Permit during Working Holiday in Canada
You can take on (un)paid internships if you have a Working Holiday visa. In addition, you can work for many employers while also attending school in Canada for up to six months. You are not required to work throughout this time frame. This visa also allows you to enter and exit Canada.
Permit to work in Canada for Young Professionals issued by individual employers.
If you’re under 30 and have a valid Young Professional work permit, you can only work for one Canadian employer at a time. This Canadian company must provide you with a temporary position and pay a compliance charge of CAD 230-. An individual employer issues a work permit. However, this application has a few other requirements, such as meeting a certain salary and work experience threshold set by Immigration Canada.
Canada International Co-op Internship
If you’re a student looking to do your internship in Canada, you’ll need to apply for an International Co-op work permit. To qualify for this visa, you must be enrolled in an academic programme, and your internship must be closely related to your major.
How many hours are students allowed to work in Canada?
After six months of schooling in Canada, students can apply for a work permit that allows them to work off-campus for up to 20 hours per week. You are free to work full time during the semester vacations.
On the other hand, you are free to cut back on your hours if you so want. Universities recommend that students enrolled in intensive or challenging courses work no more than 12 hours per week to ensure a healthy work-study balance and optimal academic performance.
How much do part-time student jobs pay in Canada?
Part-time student jobs pay an average of $42,565 per year or C$22 per hour. Part-time student jobs typically pay around CA$10 an hour.
The top five Canadian cities where overseas students congregate and the types of professions and average salaries available there are ranked.
Vancouver
| Jobs Available | Expected salary / Hour CAD |
| Student Ambassador | 15.20 – 30 |
| Rideshare driver | 24.38 – 30 |
| Waiter | 15.18- 18.00 |
| Admin Administration | 15.65 – 23.81 |
| Student Tutor | 18 – 80 |
Ontario
| Jobs Available | Expected salary / Hour CAD |
| Music teacher | 18 – 46.82 |
| Writer | 12 – 40 |
| Cook | 15 – 22 |
| Dog Walker | 15 – 30 |
| Sales Associate | 15 – 22 |
Ottawa
| Jobs Available | Expected salary / Hour CAD |
| Driver | 16.80 – 21 |
| Cook | 15 – 20 |
| Bartender | 15 – 21 |
| Cashier | 15 – 23 |
| Merchandiser | 15 – 19.05 |
Montreal
| Jobs Available | Expected salary / Hour CAD |
| Laboratory technician | 14.25 – 35.67 |
| Clerk | 18 – 22 |
| Bartender | 17 – 30 |
| Cashier | 14 – 18 |
| Customer Service | 14.85 – 18.34 |
Quebec
| Jobs Available | Expected salary / Hour CAD |
| Retail | 13 – 15 |
| Customer Service | 14.25 – 23 |
| Bartender | 11 – 28 |
| Cashier | 15 – 16 |
| Cook | 16 – 30 |
One of the main benefits of choosing Canada as a study abroad destination is the opportunity to work while attending school there.
Without a work visa, most overseas students in Canada are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during academic terms and full time during approved breaks. Working while attending school is a great way to finance your education, expand your social circle, and give yourself an edge in the future job market.
Please read on to learn about working in Canada as an international student before you begin your search for the perfect student job.
Possibility of Obtaining a Job While Attending University in Canada
Full-time international students at a DLI in Canada do not need a work permit to find employment. As a result, you’re free to take a job with any Canadian company, no matter what field you’re trained for. In addition to studying, international students can work on campus.
By “off campus,” we imply working for a company or organisation other than the one we are enrolled in. You can work for the school itself, for a professor (as a research assistant, for instance), for yourself (as a sole proprietor), for a student group, or for a private contractor providing services on campus (such as a gym or a restaurant).
In order to obtain a study visa in Canada, you must show proof of financial stability, even if you intend to work while enrolled in school. This necessitates demonstrating that you will not need to work while your academic pursuits. Because future earnings cannot be used to prove financial ability, the fact that you intend to work while studying in Canada will not be sufficient to meet the requirement to prove financial capacity before arrival.
The terms of your employment authorization in Canada will be detailed in your study permit. By submitting this declaration, you will be able to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) from Service Canada, which is a mandatory step before beginning any kind of paid work while attending school in Canada.
If the statement required to apply for a SIN is not included in your study permit, you can have it updated at no cost. This can be done after arrival, but it’s much simpler to do it when you first land and have your study permit. If you have any questions concerning the terms of your work authorization or any other aspect of your study permit, you can ask the immigration officer when you arrive.
If your programme of study is shorter than six months long, or if you are enrolled in an English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL) programme, you are not permitted to work in Canada unless you have obtained the appropriate work authorization. Canadian law prohibits foreign students from working while enrolled at a DLI.
Keep in mind that after you enrol at a Canadian university, you will not be able to begin working until after classes have begun.
Gaining Employment in Canada While Attending University
Even if proving your eligibility to work in Canada is a necessary first step, the real challenge lies in actually landing a job. There is a wide variety of part-time jobs available in Canada, and many employers are eager to hire students.
Preparing your curriculum vitae (CV) and cover letter before applying for jobs is a must. The greatest way to impress a potential employer and show them that you are the finest candidate for the position is to make sure your resume and cover letter stand out. If you’re applying for jobs in Canada, you should tailor your resume to Canadian standards. A cover letter is an opportunity to introduce yourself and highlight your qualifications for the position. Make sure your cover letter stands out by showing how you meet the employer’s specific needs and requirements. If you’re submitting your application online, you can use your cover letter as your introduction email and attach your resume in PDF format.
You can begin your job search in a number of different places. Plenty of part-time jobs may be found on sites like Indeed, Monster, and Craigslist. Jobs in your community’s leisure centres, libraries, and administrative offices might be listed on a website specific to your area.
You may also take a stroll around your neighbourhood and check the windows of local businesses to see if they are hiring. Take hard copies of your resume, dress professionally (for example, a collared shirt instead of blue jeans), and be prepared to discuss your availability if you decide to go this route. If you find a place that interests you and think it would be a good fit for you, don’t be afraid to ask to speak with someone about the job. Making a good impression in person at this time could lead to an immediate job offer. Success through networking is a tried and true method, and we have a complete guide to networking tactics to help you along the path.
You shouldn’t try to hide the fact that you’re a student if you want to find work in Canada, as there is a strong culture of working while studying. Keep in mind that you should always prioritise your schoolwork, and don’t be afraid to request time off when you need it most, such as before an exam or a major deadline. You, as a student who works, are entitled to the same protections under the law as any other worker in Canada, and it is in your best interest to familiarise yourself with these protections and the minimum wage in your province. Obtain your pay stubs and other necessary documentation of employment so that you may complete your tax return.
Are you lost when it comes to filing your taxes? Read up on these 5 basic tax suggestions for new Canadian hires.
Accumulating the money
In Canada, several companies use direct deposit to pay their workers. Therefore, in order to get paid by your company, you must have a bank account and provide your employer with the account information.
Work authorization for cooperative education
There is an important exception to the rule that international students do not require a separate work permit in order to work in Canada while they are enrolled in an educational programme in the country. Some academic programmes necessitate that students participate in a Co-op or internship before they can graduate. To work during their academic year abroad, international students need a Co-op work permit in addition to their regular student visa.
You will need a valid study permit and a letter from your school stating that all students in your programme are required to complete work placements in order to graduate in order to apply for a Co-op work permit.
Your study permission might double as your Co-op employment permit. Your work permit application may be submitted simultaneously with your study permit application if your acceptance letter specifies that you must complete a Co-op or internship as part of your degree programme.
Applying for a Co-op work permit is a separate process that can be done online or on paper after you have already secured your study permission. Given that the internship is required for your degree, your school should be able to help you obtain the necessary visa because they do it for many other international students each year.
After much research
It’s possible that you’ll have to quit working in Canada as soon as you graduate. However, there are a number of options for how you can keep working despite the obstacles you may face.
After graduating from a Canadian university, you may be eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) that will allow you to work for any employer in Canada for up to three years. Within 180 days of receiving written proof of completion of your study programme, you must apply if you are eligible and wish to remain in Canada and work.
Assuming you met the requirements for off-campus employment during your previous study programme, have a valid study permit (or applied for an extension before your permit expired), have received written confirmation that you completed your programme, and have received a letter of acceptance to a new full-time study programme, you may continue working while enrolled in both programmes.
If you don’t want to apply for the PGWP but later feel you need to come back to work, you might be able to take advantage of one of the International Experience Canada (IEC) categories, which give young people from a variety of nations the chance to work in Canada for a year or two.
If you’re a student in Canada, working part-time can provide benefits beyond the financial. If you graduate from a Canadian institution or college and have relevant professional experience, you might have an advantage over other candidates. Gaining job experience in Canada can be beneficial whether you plan to remain in the country or pursue a career elsewhere after graduation.
FAQs
How much can a student earn while studying in Canada?
Foreign students are permitted to work a maximum of 20 hours per week during the academic year and 40 hours per week during breaks. They can make between $8 and $10 per hour in Canada. During their co-op periods, students are able to work off-campus full-time and earn anywhere from $400 to $1,000 per month.
Can I do internship while studying in Canada?
If you are a foreign student studying in Canada and your degree programme mandates practical experience, you may be qualified for an internship or co-op placement. In order to apply for these opportunities, though, you’ll need a special co-op work visa.
Can I earn while studying in Canada?
Working while studying in Canada: Eligibility
International students in Canada with a study permit who are enrolled full-time in a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), can work off campus without a work permit. This means you can work for any employer in any occupation anywhere in Canada.
Check out our other articles