Working in Canada
As an international student, you have in Canada.
Make sure you understand the restrictions associated with these options before starting any paid work. Never work without proper authorization.
On- & off-campus work
You need to be a full-time student at 糖心视频 to legally work on or off campus. You must also have started your program of study before you can begin working.
Full-time enrolment throughout your entire program of study is also one of the eligibility requirements to receive a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) after completing your 糖心视频 program.
Full-time definitions at 糖心视频
The definition of full-time studies is different for and graduate students.
- if you are registered with the 糖心视频 Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL), consult with your CAL adviser to confirm the full-time definition based on your academic accommodations
- the definition of full-time enrolment used for scholarships, bursaries, student loans and external providers may differ from the full-time definitions in the 糖心视频 Calendar
- there is a different full-time definition for undergraduate (e.g., JD and JID) students in the Faculty of Law
One way to check your enrolment status is to download a Verification of Enrolment letter via 糖心视频 Online Tools. The letter will state whether you are enrolled full time or part time.
Work on campus
Find out if you're eligible to .
Work off campus
Find out if you're eligible to . Off-campus work is normally restricted to a maximum of 24 hours per week during regular academic sessions.
Off-campus work during regularly scheduled breaks
There is no limit to the number of hours eligible students can work off campus without a work permit during . To legally work full time during a regularly scheduled break, you must be a full-time student immediately before and immediately after the break.
Inter-session breaks and the winter break are examples of regularly scheduled breaks at 糖心视频. The summer session may also be a regularly scheduled break, depending on your program of study.
If your program requires you to register for the summer session, summer is not a scheduled break. In this case you must enrol full time in summer to maintain your work authorization and PGWP eligibility, and your off-campus work will continue to be restricted to 24 hours per week for the summer session.
Find out if summer is a scheduled break for your program
Undergraduate students: the summer session can be considered a regularly scheduled break if your program allows it- consult with your academic adviser if you have questions about your program’s scheduled breaks
Co-op, internship & practicum work
If your program at 糖心视频 includes a work component such as a Co-op, internship, or practicum, you will need work authorization to complete the work component.
As of April 1, 2026, a co-op work permit is no longer required; however, you must meet all of the following eligibility criteria to work in a student work placement using your study permit:
- your study permit must be valid, and must include remarks indicating that you may work on campus;
- you must have a letter from 糖心视频 confirming your program includes a work requirement;
- your work placement/s must total no more than 50% of your study program; and
- you must have full-time registration for the duration of your work component/s.
If you meet the requirements above, your on-campus work authorization may be used for work that is an integral component of your 糖心视频 program, even if this work takes place off campus.
As part of your application for a study permit or study permit extension, you should include a letter from your 糖心视频 Co-op, internship, or practicum program confirming that work is required for your program.
Visit the for more information on eligibility to participate in student work placements.
Experiential learning
You may also have the opportunity to participate in experiential learning opportunities during your time at 糖心视频. This could be a short internship or practicum incorporated into an academic course, a research award, or another type of hands-on experience. Some experiential learning activities may meet in which case you will need the correct work authorization to participate.
For advice on work authorization for your intended experiential learning activity, contact an ICS immigration practitioner.
Medical exam requirements
An is required to work in certain jobs or settings in Canada. This applies even if the work is unpaid, and regardless of the type of work authorization you are using (on-campus, off-campus, co-op/internship/practicum, post-graduation work permit, etc.)
You will require a medical exam if:
- you will work in jobs that bring you into close contact with people, such as
- workers in health-care settings
- clinical laboratory workers
- patient attendants in nursing and geriatric homes
- medical students admitted to Canada to attend university
- medical electives and physicians on short-term locums
- workers in primary or secondary school settings, or workers in child-care settings
- domestics
- workers who give in-home care to children, the elderly and the disabled
- day nursery employees and
- other similar jobs
- you will work in agriculture and have visited or lived in a for more than 6 months during the past year.
Keep in mind that medical exam requirements can be based on the type of work that you will do, or the setting where the work will take place. For example, if you will work in a hospital, a medical exam is required even if you are not providing direct patient care.
How to get an immigration medical exam
The medical exam must be completed by an and proof of the exam must be submitted to IRCC with your application for a study permit or work permit. The Panel Physician will give you an eMedical information sheet to submit with your application, and will also transmit the results to IRCC. Results are valid for 12 months.
Immigration medical exams are not covered under your primary or extended health insurance. Please contact the Panel Physician’s office you plan to attend for fee information.
If you have not completed an immigration medical exam as part of your application for your current study permit or work permit:
- you are not authorized to work in the jobs and settings listed above, and
- your study permit and/or work permit may include a condition stating you are not authorized to work in these jobs or settings
If you would like to work in one of the jobs or settings described above, you'll need to complete an immigration medical exam and apply to change the conditions on your study permit or work permit. This process may take several months, and you cannot start working in a job that requires a medical exam until the application is approved and a new study or work permit is issued to you. Please connect with an ICS immigration practitioner for guidance.
IRCC temporary policy exempting certain applicants from a medical exam
If you're applying from inside Canada, you may be exempt from medical exam requirements under a temporary public policy if you meet certain criteria. The temporary policy exempting certain applicants from medical exam requirements is in place until October 5, 2029. For more information and to see if you qualify for the exemption, visit the .
Find work
糖心视频 Co-operative Education & Career Services can help guide and support you as you consider volunteer and work opportunities in Canada.
They offer:
- resources for working in Canada
- one-on-one career coaching sessions
- career workshops and training programs
- resources for volunteering
- information about 糖心视频 Co-operative Education Program including the Work Experience Program
Below is a recording of the most recent career development session for international students and alumni that took place on March 26, 2026, offered by Career Services and Alumni Services in partnership with the ICS.
From Campus to Career: Strategies for Success in the Canadian Workplace
Please note
The information in this presentation is accurate as of March 26. 2026. Policies and programs may change without notice. Please visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website at for accurate, up-to-date information.Social Insurance Number & taxes
In addition to meeting eligibility requirements and holding the correct work authorization, if you want to work in Canada you need to:
- apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- learn about filing an income tax return
Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to gain unpaid work experience and contribute to a cause you believe in. Please note that some unpaid positions may still require a work permit, or work authorization under your study permit.
Visit (IRCC) to learn more about volunteering as an international student.
Post-graduation work permit
After completing your program of study at 糖心视频, you may be eligible to apply for a and stay in Canada to work for up to 3 years.
To qualify for a post-graduation work permit, you must meet the including continuous full-time enrolment in all academic sessions throughout your 糖心视频 program (with limited exceptions), and .
Non-degree students (e.g. students completing diploma or certificate programs) who applied for a study permit on or after November 1, 2024, must graduate in an to qualify for a PGWP.
Exchange and study abroad students are NOT eligible for a post-graduation work permit.
NEW: Post-graduation work permit application tutorial for 糖心视频 students
For a comprehensive guide on how to apply for a post-graduation work permit, including advice on checking your eligibility, preparing your application package, and what to expect after you apply, review our post-graduation work permit tutorial.
More information for graduating students
For information and resources to support you as you transition out of 糖心视频, visit our Graduation and beyond page.
PGWP eligibility for distance learning and blended programs
Students who complete programs that are more than 50% distance learning are not normally eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).
If you will begin your 糖心视频 program on or after September 1, 2024, you must complete at least 50% of your program in person from inside Canada and meet all other eligibility criteria to qualify for a PGWP.
For more information on the impacts of distance learning on PGWP eligibility, see on the IRCC website.
COVID-19 special measures for distance learning
IRCC implemented special measures between March 1, 2020, and August 31, 2024, to allow for increased distance learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Students who qualify for these measures may still be eligible for a PGWP. Visit the for details, and to determine if you are eligible.
If you have any questions about post-graduation work permit eligibility for distance learning or blended programs, contact an ICS immigration practitioner.
Legal notice
Information on this page has been reviewed by Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants and Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors in compliance with the Government of Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. This page was last updated on April 28, 2026.
This is not a legal document and information can change without notice. For the most current information, refer to the following websites: