Canada is one of the most attractive study destinations in the world. According to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), over 500,000 international students enrolled at a Canadian university in 2020 alone.
And while “The Land of Maple Syrup” is excellent for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, you should also know there are many well-paid jobs for international students in Canada as well, whether you want to work after graduation or during your studies.
But is it easy to get a job in Canada for international students? What are the steps involved, and what should you keep in mind?
>> Before diving right in, here are a few universities where you can earn a degree that can lead to one of the highest-paying jobs for international students in Canada:
So, what do you have to do to lend in-demand jobs in Canada for international students easily?
Know the Canadian work regulations for international students
There are many jobs for international students in Canada, but there are also specific work regulations for international students who want to work during or after their studies. Let’s take a quick look at the most important ones:
Work regulations for on-campus work
- You can work on campus only after the start of your studies
- You can work on campus only if your study permit includes a condition that says you can work on or off campus
Good to know: If your study permit doesn’t mention that you can work on or off campus, you can ask for this change to be made (free of cost).
On-campus jobs for international students in Canada don’t require a work permit as long as you meet these conditions:
- You are a full-time post-secondary student
- You have a valid study permit
- You have a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
Learn more about working on campus in Canada and who can’t work on campus.
Work regulations for off-campus work
- You can work off campus only after the start of your studies
- You can work off campus without a work permit only if both you and the employer ensure that this is possible before you take the job. If you start working without meeting the requirements, you could be asked to leave the country!
- You can work on campus only if your study permit includes a condition that says you can work on or off campus
Off-campus jobs for international students in Canada don’t require a work permit as long as you meet these conditions:
- You are a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI); if your university isn’t a DLI, you won’t be able to work.
- You are enrolled in a post-secondary academic/vocational program or a professional training
- Your studies last a minimum of 6 months, and you’ll graduate with a degree, diploma, or a certificate
- You have a valid study permit
- You have a Social Insurance Number
During the academic or school terms, you can only work for 20 hours per week. You have more freedom during scheduled breaks — e.g. the winter or summer holidays — when you can work full-time, overtime, or take 2 part-time jobs.
Learn more about working off campus in Canada and who can’t work off campus.
Work regulations for work after graduation
Graduate jobs in Canada for international students are available for those who fulfil certain conditions. These are the two main scenarios in which getting a graduate job is possible:
- BEFORE your study permit expires, you apply for a work permit or a post-graduation work permit (PGWP)
- You enrol in a new study program at a DLI; if your university isn’t a designated learning institution, you won’t be able to work
Conditions to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP):
- You need to graduate from a DLI in order to apply for the PGWP
- Graduating from a DLI makes you eligible but doesn’t guarantee you’ll receive the PGWP
- You need to apply for the PGWP within 180 days (approximately 6 months) after graduating from university/after receiving your final grades or marks
- The study program you finish must last for at least 8 months
- You can’t apply for a second PGWP if you’ve already received one after completing a previous study program
- You need to pay the application fee of 255 CAD
It takes around 53 days for the PGWP to be issued. Depending on the duration of your academic program, the PGWP can be valid for anywhere between 9 months to 3 years.
Learn more about the post-graduation work permit (PGWP).
Decide where you want to work in Canada
After getting familiar with the Canadian work regulations and ensuring you meet all the criteria, it’s then time to decide where/for who you want to work. For example, if you want an on-campus job during your studies, options are more limited:
- work at a library
- work at a hospital
- work at a research facility
- work as an assistant for a professor
You might be able to also work like this off-campus as long as the facility or client is a partner of the university where you study.
The government is a top student employer and offers attractive jobs for international students in Canada:
- The Federal Student Work Experience Program: explore hundreds of career paths and jobs offered by the Government of Canada
- The Research Affiliate Program: work part-time as a research assistant for the government, conducting work that’s meaningful and related to your study program
Keep in mind these programs are first looking at Canadian students who meet the job criteria. This means you can still be selected, but local students have an advantage.
Check out other specialized student recruitment programs.
Find websites that offer jobs for international students in Canada
There’s not much to say about this step. It can be tiresome, time-consuming, boring, or even frustrating at times, but going through job listings is necessary. And most of them are luckily available online.
For on-campus jobs for international students in Canada, announcements might be available in the university halls or specially designated areas. But we’ll focus on the resources available online. Here are a few examples:
- Job Bank: job postings from employers all over Canada
- Job Bank for Youth: search through thousands of summer jobs
- Talent Egg: jobs for students or recent graduates
- Charity Village: find jobs or volunteering opportunities
- Good Work: find ‘green’ jobs focused on sustainability and positive environmental changes
And the list could go on, but these websites should be enough to get you started on the right path to find those most in-demand jobs in Canada for international students.
How to increase your chances of landing jobs for international students in Canada
- Get involved in student associations and organisations
- Participate in volunteering programs and activities
- Join internships, seminars, competitions, or workshops related to your interests
- Start networking: meet like-minded people and get to know each other
- Stay open-minded: seemingly unrelated job roles can be perfect for you as long as they overlap with the things you want to learn or problems you want to solve
Discover more useful tips that can help you get a job after graduation.