Canada’s international students can gain eligibility to work in Canada while pursuing their studies based on one condition per their study permit. The study permit must state that the candidate has permission to work on and off campus. International students in Canada will have to begin their studies to start working in the country and must also meet the essential eligibility requirements.
Off-campus work rules for Canada’s international students
A student becomes eligible to work under an employer with a different location other than the educational institute’s campus. This implies that candidates registered under an educational institution might work for employers from a different non-registered location. Eligible candidates might get the opportunity to work for twenty hours every week. However, these working hours will remain valid under consistent academic semesters. Full-time work experience will be valid for planned academic breaks, such as winters, summers, and springtime.
Off-campus work- eligibility criteria
Canada’s international students will require to meet all the given eligibility conditions:
- They must possess a valid study permit.
- Full-time studies at a Designated Learning Institute.
- Candidates must be already studying and have a convincing academic record with the educational institute.
- They must be enrolled in an academic, professional training, or vocational program for six months. The program must also provide them with a degree, certificate, or diploma.
- Possessing a Social Insurance Number.
Supposedly, if a candidate undergoes a situational change and fails to meet the eligibility requirements during his working time, he will have to stop off-campus work.
However, he will still be able to work off-campus without full-time studies if they meet the following conditions:
- If the student acquired registration based on full-time studies when he began the Canadian study program.
- Suppose the student happens to be in the study program’s last semester, and the program doesn’t require a full-time commitment for its completion.
Canada’s international students- non-eligibility for off-campus work
The following students will not be rendered eligible for off-campus work:
- Students with ESL or FSL program enrollment.
- Any student enrolled in a non-specific interest course or program.
- Those students who plan to take an approved leave from their studies.
- Students who are in the middle of switching schools and are presently on a break from studies.
- Also, those students opt for courses only to gain acceptance into full-time programs.
- Students at a DLI (Designated Learning Institute) for visiting and exchange purposes.
On-campus work rules for Canada’s international students
For a student to begin work within the campus for which they are registered, they will have to meet the following criteria:
- Must possess an authentic and valid study permit.
- They must have a Social Insurance Number.
- Registration at a public college or university based on full-time studies or at a Quebec school based on a private college level. The school must have the same set of rules as the public schools. Apart from this, the school must also have 50 percent of funds granted by the government.
- They could also have a registration at Canada’s private school which can legally provide degrees through provincial law.
On-campus work is employment under an employer accessible within the educational institution where the enrollment occurs.
The employment applies to the following:
- Educational institution
- An organization of students
- On-campus self-employment
- Private Contractor dealing with social services
- On-campus private business
On the other hand, a student working as a teacher or research assistant involved in the research work might have permission to work for faculties associated with the school, including the library, research facility, or hospital.
Ineligible students for on-campus work
The following international students will become ineligible for on-campus work:
- Those who discontinue their full-time studies.
- Candidates with expired study permits.
- Students undertaking an approved leave from studies.
Co-op rules
Students must apply for a Co-op or internship and study permit if they pursue their studies at a Designated Learning Institute and attain a compulsory work position or internship.
A Co-op work permit is a closed work permit. This work permit applies to those who need to acquire work or internship, a compulsory part of their study program. Essential work as part of a study program includes work for program credits and is a crucial step toward the graduation of Canada’s international students. However, students might receive the standard permission to work through the student or Co-op work permits. Moreover, they can work at jobs not associated with the study program and must work in a compulsory work profile.
International students in Canada might hold the eligibility to apply for a Co-op work permit through the following conditions:
- Possessing a work permit with validity.
- Enrollment in a study program requires compulsory work to obtain program credits.
- An educational institution’s letter approving the candidate’s work placement. The letter will confirm that the candidate’s work placement will contribute to the study program.
The work process for a partner
Canada’s international student’s partner or spouse can obtain an open work permit under the following conditions:
- The international students have a valid study permit.
- They are eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
- The student must adhere to full-time studies at school types such as Quebec school at the private college level, a post-secondary public school, or a private school in Canada that can provide a degree legally through provincial law. (Any one of these)
Work process after graduation
After graduation, students can acquire a Post-Graduation Work Permit which has a validity of three years and permits individuals to work under any employer they wish to.
International students can become eligible for a PGWP by meeting the following criteria:
- Finished studying in a program related to professional, academic, or vocational training for eight months at a DLI.
- The study program must provide you with a diploma, degree, or certificate.
- Students must have a full-time study status during each academic semester of the finished study program. The status must be shown as a part of the PGWP application.
- The eligible DLI must also issue a transcript and an official letter. It must confirm the applicant meets all the eligibility criteria for completing the study program.
International students also require graduation in the following:
- A post-secondary institution at a public level.
- Post-secondary school at the private level, Quebec’s post-secondary school offering programs resulting in issuing and attesting DEP or ASP.
- A private school in Canada providing degrees adhering to the Provincial Law. The only rule is that the student must enroll in a study program to obtain a degree per the province’s authority.
PGWP allows students to obtain Canadian work experience on a professional level. As a result, candidates applying for Canadian immigration get help. Any individual holding a Post-Graduation Work Permit must acquire at least one year’s work experience under NOC skill levels O, A, and B. Hence, they will become eligible for a permanent residence program in Canada.
