Can international students work in Canada?

Yes, eligible international students in Canada can work on-campus without an IRCC hour cap and off-campus up to a set weekly limit during academic sessions, provided they meet IRCC conditions (e.g., full-time status at a designated learning institution and a study permit with work authorization).

How many hours can international students work while studying in Canada?

During academic sessions, eligible students may work off-campus up to the weekly limit set by IRCC and on-campus without an IRCC cap. During scheduled breaks defined by the institution, full-time off-campus work is typically allowed within IRCC’s break rules.

Can international students work full time during scheduled breaks?

Yes. If a break is listed on your school’s academic calendar and you were full-time both before and after the break, you can usually work full-time off-campus during the break, subject to IRCC’s limits on break length and total time per year.

Can international students work during an authorized leave?

No. International students are not permitted to work on or off campus during an authorized leave from studies. Work authorization resumes only when the student meets IRCC’s study and work conditions again.

What are funding alternatives to OSAP for international students?

Common options include institutional scholarships and bursaries for international students, on-campus jobs, co-op placements (with a co-op work permit when required), private awards open to study-permit holders, and careful budgeting strategies.

What PNP pathways are available to international students in Canada?

Most provinces and territories offer PNP pathways tailored to graduates—examples include BC’s degree-based graduate streams, Ontario’s Masters Graduate and PhD Graduate streams, Manitoba’s International Education Stream, Alberta’s Opportunity and Graduate Entrepreneur options, and Atlantic programs alongside the federal Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).

Do international graduates always need a job offer for PNP?

Not always. Some streams—such as Ontario’s Masters Graduate and PhD Graduate—do not require a job offer. Many other streams do require an eligible job offer; requirements vary by province and stream.

Is the Atlantic Immigration Program relevant to international graduates?

Yes. International graduates of recognized Atlantic institutions can pursue permanent residence through the Atlantic Immigration Program without prior work experience, provided other program conditions are met and a designated employer is involved.

What should international students consider after graduation (PGWP)?

Confirm that your program and institution qualify for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Master’s graduates may be eligible for a longer PGWP, and non-degree programs can have field-of-study restrictions. Apply quickly after receiving proof of completion and follow IRCC rules before working full-time.

International students in Canada

Q: Can international students apply for OSAP?

No. OSAP is intended for eligible Ontario residents who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons. International students in Canada on study permits are not eligible for standard OSAP funding.

Ansari Immigration
Aug 26
7 min read

If you’re exploring school in Canada—or you’re already here—you’re juggling a lot: admissions, money, work rules, and the big goal for many: PR. This guide breaks down what international students in Canada need to know right now in plain English. We’ll cover work rules (including the updated 24-hour limit), OSAP, and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) pathways that are made for graduates.

At a glance

Work while you study: Up to 24 hours/week off-campus during class time if you’re eligible; full-time during scheduled breaks; unlimited on-campus if eligible.
OSAP: It’s for Ontario residents who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons—not international students.
PNP options for grads: Every province has pathways for international students in Canada. Some streams need a job offer; others (like Ontario’s Masters/PhD Graduate streams) don’t. BC revamped its graduate streams in 2025. Details below.

International students in Canada: can you work in Canada?

Yes—if you meet IRCC’s conditions. Here’s how it breaks down:

Off-campus: Eligible full-time students can work up to 24 hours/week when classes are in session; full-time during scheduled breaks (subject to limits described later).
On-campus: If you’re eligible, IRCC doesn’t cap on-campus hours. Schools/employers may set their own limits.
Co-op/internship: If the work is a required part of your program, you need a co-op work permit even if you could otherwise work on/off campus. (University guidance reflects this across Canada.)
Authorized leave: You can’t work on or off campus during an authorized leave, even if your study permit says you may work.

International students in Canada studying at UBC’s AMS Student Nest in Vancouver, BC

Source/credit: Unsplash – Owen Yin.

FAQs — working in Canada (international students)

Do I need a Social Insurance Number (SIN)?

Yes, you need a SIN to work in Canada. IRCC’s “work while you study” pages outline the basics alongside eligibility.

Can I start working before my program starts?

No. You may only start working after you’ve begun studies and meet the eligibility on your permit. (Colleges and universities across Canada emphasize this, and IRCC rules apply.)

Can I combine on-campus and off-campus work in the same week?

Yes—if you meet the conditions for each. On-campus has no IRCC hour cap; off-campus is capped at 24 hours/week while classes are in session.

Does “volunteering” count toward my weekly limit?

If the role counts as “work” under immigration rules (many unpaid roles do), treat those hours as work. Universities often warn that unpaid work can still count toward your 24-hour off-campus cap.

International students in Canada: can you work full time?

During scheduled breaks (e.g., winter, summer, spring breaks defined by your school), eligible students can work full-time off-campus—but there are two important guardrails:

150-day consecutive limit: You can’t work full-time through a break longer than 150 consecutive days; you can only work for the first 150 days of that period.
180-day annual cap for “unlimited” off-campus work: Across all scheduled breaks in a calendar year, unlimited off-campus work can total up to 180 days.

On-campus full-time: IRCC doesn’t cap hours on-campus; schools or unions may.

Not a break? Then the 24-hour off-campus cap applies while you’re in class.

You must be full-time both before and after your scheduled break to work full-time during that break.

FAQs — full-time work during studies

What counts as a “scheduled break”?

Breaks listed on your institution’s official academic calendar (e.g., winter holidays, summer if it’s not a required term for your program). Your school’s international office can confirm how your program defines breaks.

Can I take a light course load and work full-time?

No. The 24-hour cap applies during academic sessions, and you must be full-time before and after a break to work full-time during it.

Can I work during an authorized leave or gap term?

No. You must not work on or off campus during an authorized leave.

Is there a hard definition of “full-time hours” during breaks?

IRCC doesn’t set a numeric “full-time” hour count for breaks; follow employment standards and what your employer allows. Schools and IRCC guidance reflect this.

International students in Canada studying at a university library in Toronto, Ontario

Source/credit: Unsplash – Anthony Fomin.

International students in Canada: can you apply for OSAP?

Short answer: No—not in the typical sense. OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program) is for Ontario residents who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons. International students in Canada aren’t eligible for standard OSAP funding.

What to look at instead:

Institutional scholarships and bursaries offered to international students directly by your college/university.
On-campus work and co-op roles to offset costs (subject to the rules above).
Non-OSAP grants/loans that don’t require citizenship/PR (varies by lender and program; read eligibility carefully on the provider’s site).

Planning a move to Ontario? OSAP pages sometimes mention “study abroad” or specialized grants; those are aimed at Ontario residents (citizens/PR/protected persons), not students in Canada on a study permit. Always check the “Who is eligible” section.

FAQs — OSAP

I’ve lived in Ontario for years on a study permit. Does that make me eligible?

No. OSAP’s core eligibility hinges on status (citizen/PR/protected person), not just time in Ontario.

Are there any public programs international students can access?

Not OSAP itself. Look to your school’s international bursaries, employer scholarships, or private funding that accepts study-permit holders.

What about specialized Ontario grants (Learn and Stay, bridging)?

Those also require citizen/PR/protected person status. Always verify eligibility on the Ontario.ca program page.

International students in Canada: PNP pathways for graduates (by province)

International students in Canada celebrating graduation in Edmonton, Alberta

Source/credit: Unsplash – graduation portrait (Edmonton).

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) lets provinces select candidates who meet local needs. For international students in Canada, several streams are tailor-made for new grads. Rules change, so read the official page before you act.

Important: In early 2025, BC replaced its older graduate streams with degree-based streams (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate). Some provinces have also closed or re-tooled entrepreneur streams.

British Columbia (BC PNP)

2025 graduate streams: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate (restructuring of “International Graduate” and “International Post-Graduate”). Check the official update for current requirements, including whether a job offer is required by level.
Where to start: BC PNP Skills Immigration pages and graduate-stream update.

Ontario (OINP)

Masters Graduate and PhD Graduate streams (no job offer required); competitive and often quota-limited.
Employer Job Offer: International Student (job offer required).

Manitoba (MPNP)

International Education Stream (IES) with three options: Career Employment Pathway, Graduate Internship Pathway, and International Student Entrepreneur Pilot. Designed specifically for international student graduates in Manitoba.

Saskatchewan (SINP)

Students (Saskatchewan Experience): for grads of Saskatchewan DLIs with related work experience and a permanent, full-time job offer.
International Graduate Entrepreneur: closed (along with other entrepreneur/farm pathways) as of March 27, 2025.

Alberta (AAIP)

Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS): for workers in Alberta with a full-time job offer—includes PGWP holders meeting criteria.
Graduate Entrepreneur Stream: for international grads of Alberta schools who start/operate a business.
Rural Renewal Stream: in designated communities; certain PGWP grads may have eased work-experience rules.

Nova Scotia (NSNP)

International Graduates in Demand: for grads with job offers in specific in-demand NOCs (e.g., ECEs, nurse aides, pharmacy techs; the list can change).
International Graduate Entrepreneur: for grads who have operated a business in NS for at least one year on a PGWP before applying.
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): separate federal pathway across the Atlantic provinces; international graduates of recognized Atlantic institutions do not need prior work experience.

New Brunswick (NBPNP)

NB runs multiple streams; graduates typically use Skilled Worker (with employer support) or entrepreneur options as they evolve. Always check the official NB page for current streams and pilot programs.
As in Nova Scotia, NB is part of the AIP (see above).

Newfoundland & Labrador (NLPNP)

International Graduate category: for recent grads with a valid post-graduation work permit and a qualifying job offer in NL.

Prince Edward Island (PEI PNP)

International Graduate stream: for recent PEI grads with an eligible job offer; often used by students educated in PEI.

Québec (separate system)

Québec doesn’t use the PNP. Instead, graduates look at PEQ – Québec Experience Program (international student stream) under Québec’s rules.

FAQs — PNP pathways for international students in Canada

Do I always need a job offer to apply through a PNP?

Not always. Examples: OINP Masters/PhD Graduate streams don’t require job offers; some BC graduate streams historically didn’t (BC updated its framework in 2025; check current rules). Many other streams do require an eligible job offer.

Can entrepreneur streams help if I start a business after graduation?

Yes, in some provinces (e.g., Alberta Graduate Entrepreneur, NS International Graduate Entrepreneur). Note that Saskatchewan closed its entrepreneur pathways in March 2025.

Is the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) relevant if I studied in Atlantic Canada?

Yes. International graduates of recognized Atlantic institutions don’t need work experience for AIP, which can be very attractive if you have a designated employer.

International students in Canada: after you graduate (PGWP snapshot)

Most grads aim for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) to gain Canadian work experience toward PR. Key 2024-2025 updates you should know:

Length: Master’s grads can now qualify for a 3-year PGWP even if the master’s is under 2 years (other requirements apply).
Field-of-study requirement (non-degree programs): New rules tie PGWP eligibility for non-degree programs to specific CIP codes linked to long-term labour shortages. Lists update periodically. Degree programs (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD) are exempt from this field-of-study rule. Always check the current list.
Language proof: Many PGWP applicants applying on/after Nov 1, 2024 must include approved language test results.

Vancouver skyline from Stanley Park—study and work opportunities for international students in Canada

Pro move: Align your study plan with a program that’s PGWP-eligible and—if it’s a non-degree program—within an eligible field of study.

Frequently asked questions (general)

Can my spouse work while I study?

In many cases, spouses of full-time students in eligible programs can apply for open work permits. Check the latest IRCC eligibility and program-level criteria.

What if I studied part-time in my last semester?IRCC allows part-time status in the final semester in some cases and still considers you for the PGWP, but read the details to avoid mistakes.

Can I work full-time between finishing my last exam and applying for the PGWP?

Be careful. You must follow IRCC’s conditions precisely; generally, work authorization changes when you complete your program. Apply for the PGWP quickly and ensure you’re authorized before working full-time. (IRCC’s “study permit conditions” and PGWP pages govern this.)

Vancouver university campus building—BC education options for international students in Canada

What this means for you (and how we help)

If you’re an international student in Canada, your choices this year—program, campus, co-op, part-time work—set up your PR strategy. We help you:

Choose PGWP-sound programs (and avoid ones that risk eligibility).
Map your work plan to IRCC’s 24-hour cap and scheduled break rules so you never risk status.
Pick the PNP that fits your province, job offer, or entrepreneur plan—especially with 2025 updates like BC’s new graduate streams and SK’s entrepreneur closures.

Ready to plan?

If you’re considering Vancouver or anywhere in Canada, we can build a study-to-PR roadmap around your goals. Book a consult, bring your questions, and we’ll make a plan you can actually follow.