Your work rights as an international student in Canada

Working while studying abroad is commonplace, but it is wise to do it with your eyes open. That means understanding the rules you need to follow, as well as the laws that protect you. While this may seem complex, it can make you feel much more confident as you seek and enter employment. To help you get started, we explore your work rights as an international student in Canada, and what happens to them post-graduation.

How many hours can international students work in Canada?

Most full-time international students at college or university in Canada can work off campus for up to 24 hours per week in term time. During holidays, work hours are unlimited.

Work that takes place on campus also has unlimited hours. The same is true of remote work for employers based outside Canada.

Part-time students cannot work while in Canada, unless they are in the last semester of a full-time programme. If you are a full-time student on an English or French language course, a course that does not lead to a qualification, or one that is under six months in length, you may only work on campus.

Find out more about student visas in Canada.

What jobs can international students do in Canada?

If you are eligible to work off campus, you can do so in any role. The only limitations are that you cannot work for anyone featured on the government's list of non-compliant employers (deemed to have broken hiring regulations), and that you may have to take a medical exam.

Whether or not you will need to do this depends on a few factors. However, it is required for students on a course of six months or longer that have been in certain countries for six months or longer in the year before they come to Canada. Around half of countries are subject to this, including Bangladesh, Nigeria and Pakistan.

If you are only eligible to work on campus, your options are more limited. In most cases, this simply means that you must be employed on the grounds of your university or college, but not necessarily by them. Private employers – such as shops based on campus – and self-employment are both permitted.

In addition, you may work in another location if you are employed as a research or teaching assistant. For example, this could be in a hospital or library that has an arrangement with your university.

Work placements are allowed for most international students, if they are a compulsory part of their course that will last for no more than half of its length. For this, you must apply for a co-op work permit. Any time you spend on a placement will not count towards your work hour limit.

Self-employment is accepted, provided that you keep to the relevant work hour limits.

Voluntary work is also permitted. However, if it is off-campus, it must meet certain conditions. Work is only considered to be voluntary if it is part-time and something that would not ordinarily be paid, or subject to a competitive hiring process. If it does not fit this description, it will contribute to your weekly work hour limit.

Discover which full-time roles the country needs to fill with our guide to the most in-demand jobs in Canada.

Minimum wage for international students in Canada

The minimum wage in Canada is different in every province and territory, but wherever you study, you will be entitled to receive it. Regional governments may change the amount as and when they see fit, with most raising it each year.

The minimum wage in each part of Canada is as follows:

In addition, the government of Canada sets the federal minimum wage. This applies in various federally regulated industries, and can be higher than the minimum set by local governments. Since April 2025, it has been CAD 17.75.

Learn more about what to expect as we explore the job market in Canada.

Paying tax in Canada

Income tax

International students are subject to income tax on their earnings in Canada. Notably, this is divided into two parts: federal income tax, and provincial and territorial income tax. In addition to the former, you may have to pay the latter as set by the government of the region in which you live while studying.

Federal income tax is charged at 15 per cent on taxable income up to CAD 57,375. Any further taxable income up to a total of CAD 114,750 is taxed at 20.5 per cent. Higher rates are imposed as your income increases, but few international students will reach these levels.

Provincial and territorial income tax varies nationwide. For example, Ontario has a rate of 5.05 per cent on taxable income up to CAD 52,886, while British Columbia has a rate of 5.06 per cent up to CAD 49,279. You can find full details for every part of the country through the government of Canada.

Non-resident and deemed resident students do not pay a provincial and territorial income tax. Instead, they pay the federal surtax. This is charged at 48 per cent of their federal income tax.

You may not have to pay tax on your income at all. If you earn less than CAD 16,129 in a fiscal year, this could be covered by the federal basic personal amount. Provinces and territories use a similar system. Not all international students get this tax-free entitlement, but some do.

Residents and non-residents

Your tax obligations in Canada will depend on your residency status. This comes in one of four categories: resident, deemed resident, non-resident and deemed non-resident.

Residents include students that have developed residential ties to Canada. This includes having a home or family members with you, and can sometimes extend to other links, such as the possession of personal property or regional health insurance.

If you are in this category, you must file a tax return with details of your income from Canada and the rest of the world. Nonetheless, you will only be taxed on that which comes from Canada. You will also be eligible for various benefits, including the basic personal amount and tuition tax credits.

Deemed residents of Canada are those who do not have significant residential ties, but have stayed in the country for more than 183 days in a year, and are not regarded as a resident of their home country under a tax treaty it has with Canada.

If you are in this category, your obligations and entitlements are broadly the same as for residents. However, you will pay the federal surtax instead of a provincial and territorial income tax.

Non-residents are students that have not developed significant residential ties to Canada, and are yet to have stayed in the country for more than 183 days in any year.

Deemed non-residents of Canada are those who do have significant residential ties, but are regarded as a resident of their home country under a tax treaty it has with Canada.

If you are in either of these two categories, you only need to declare Canadian income on your tax return. If you do not receive any, you do not need to file a tax return. Additionally, you will be subject to the federal surtax, rather than a provincial and territorial income tax.

While you will still be eligible for some benefits, you cannot obtain tuition tax credits. You may only claim the basic personal amount if more than 90 per cent of your annual income is from Canada.

Social Insurance Number

If you wish to work in Canada, you will need to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN). This allows for your employment to be properly registered with the government and tax authorities. You can only apply for your SIN once you have arrived in Canada on your study permit. However, you can begin work before your application has been processed.

Thinking ahead to your future in the country? Get inspired by our list of top employers in Canada.

Who can help me with employment issues in Canada?

If you need support with employment in Canada as an international student, it will be available. There are many places you can go to find help with anything and everything related to the world of work, and the world outside it.

United Way Centraide is a network of more than 80 different community support services across the country. Its teams of experts offer free advice and assistance on employment rights, finances and much more to anyone who needs it. You can even reach them via their dedicated phone line: 211.

EduCanada is the country's official international education information resource. It offers advice about everything from scholarships to visas and work rights, making it useful both before and after you arrive.

Additionally, your college or university should offer support with employment and life in Canada generally. Learn more about this with our guides to careers services and international offices.

Can my family work in Canada?

The spouses and co-habiting partners of some international students in Canada can work there full-time on an open work permit. This opportunity is limited to PhD and master's students, plus those on a few other university courses. These are listed by the Canadian government.

Even if this does not apply to you, your family members may still be able to work in Canada. To do so, your partner or children – who are allowed to join you, if they are under 22 – will need to obtain a work permit of their own.

Find out more about bringing family on a student visa.

Working after graduation in Canada

As soon as you finish studying in Canada, your right to work there may change. If you want to continue working, you must do one of two things.

By applying for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP), you can gain the right to stay and work in Canada full-time for up to three years. The length of time you can remain will depend on the length and type of course you studied, with some programmes not providing eligibility at all.

If you wish to work immediately after your studies end, you should apply for your PGWP before that point. You can then work up until a decision is made on your application, and afterwards, if the outcome is successful.

Alternatively, you may continue working on an extended study permit. This is an option if you are due to start a new course within 150 days of receiving confirmation that you have completed your previous one. However, unlike with a PGWP, this will still come with the standard limitations of working as an international student.

For more information on PGWPs and alternative options, read our guide to post-study work visas in Canada.

We hope you now feel more confident about your work rights as an international student in Canada. The rules are not just for you to follow – employers and authorities have responsibilities, too. As such, if you ever have concerns about your situation, help will be available. Learn where you can find it with our guide to getting support at university. You might also like our guide to international student work rights around the world.