Canada is a top destination for international students due to its world-class universities and student life experience. However, studying in Canada can also be an expensive endeavor for international students, with additional expenses such as textbooks, housing, groceries, health insurance, and transportation. As a result, many international students are interested in finding part-time work while studying in Canada.
According to IRCC’s regulations, international students can work up to 20 hours a week while school is in session and full-time during scheduled academic breaks, provided they are enrolled in a program of study at a designated learning institution (DLI). International students can have more than one job while studying in Canada. Once they have completed their program of study, they may be eligible to work full-time in Canada by getting a Post-graduate Work Permit (PGWP). The PGWP is valid for up to three years depending on the length of the program of study.
International students who wish to work require a Social Insurance Number (SIN), a unique nine-digit number assigned by Service Canada. They must also wait until their program of study has started before being eligible to work. The University of Toronto career center advises international students to highlight their strengths, skills, and experiences on their resumes, including paid and unpaid work, extracurricular activities, and volunteering experience.
To find part-time jobs, most international students choose to live on or near their campus to reduce commuting time and cost. On-campus jobs are advertised on job boards, the school’s career center or student union building, or career fairs. Off-campus job hunting is usually done online, with Canada’s JobBank typically listing part-time positions that are suited for international students. LinkedIn, Indeed, and other job websites in Canada, such as Talent Egg, Glassdoor, Monster.ca, CareerBuilder, SimplyHired, Eluta, and Upwork, can also be helpful.
International students should expect to make the minimum per-hour rate in their respective Canadian province or territory, with anything above it up to their employer. The minimum wage varies by province and territory, with British Columbia having the highest minimum wage at $15.65 per hour as of June 1, 2022, and Saskatchewan having the lowest at $13.00 per hour as of October 1, 2022.
International students who complete their studies and gain Canadian work experience through a PGWP may be eligible for permanent residence in Canada. Many permanent residence pathways in Canada cater to those with Canadian work experience, and a PGWP allows international graduates to gain that experience while establishing more roots in their communities and contributing to Canada’s economy.
Finding part-time work while studying in Canada can help international students with their personal finances and may assist those seeking to transition to permanent residents. They should be aware of Canadian immigration regulations and minimum wage rates in their respective province or territory. They can use online resources such as Canada’s JobBank, LinkedIn, Upwork, Talent Egg, Eluta, Monster.ca, Simply Hired and other job websites to search for part-time jobs that are suited for them.
Are you interested in immigrating to Canada?