Canada offers international students some of the most generous working rights of any major English-speaking study destination. Since November 2024, the off-campus work limit was permanently increased to 24 hours per week during academic sessions, with unlimited hours during scheduled breaks. Understanding these rules completely helps you maximise income while staying fully compliant with your study permit conditions. StudentBuddy covers the complete Canadian student experience, including finding affordable student accommodation in Canada that works within your student budget and scholarships to supplement your income.
Yes — international students in Canada can work up to 24 hours per week off-campus during academic sessions (increased from 20 hours in November 2024) and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks. On-campus work has no hour limit at any time. These rights are built into your study permit — no separate work permit is required.
The complete work rights breakdown
| Work type | During academic term | During scheduled breaks | Requires separate permit? |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus (own institution) | Unlimited hours | Unlimited hours | No |
| Off-campus | 24 hrs/week maximum | Unlimited hours | No |
| Co-op / mandatory placement | Programme hours (not counted against 24 hr limit) | As programme requires | Co-op work permit endorsement |
| Self-employment | Not permitted | Not permitted | N/A |
On-campus work: the unlimited option
On-campus work for international students enrolled at a DLI has no hour restriction at any time of year. On-campus means: your own institution's physical facilities, businesses located on campus that primarily serve the campus community (dining hall, bookstore, campus gym), and affiliated institutions like teaching hospitals connected to your university. Students who work on campus can maximise their income without any regulatory limit — only the hours available in the positions and their own academic schedule are constraints.
Full-time work during breaks
During scheduled academic breaks — including the full summer (typically May to August), winter break (mid-December to early January), and spring reading weeks — international students on a valid study permit can work full-time with no hour limit. This means working 40 hours per week during a 3-month summer generates approximately CAD $8,256 at Ontario's minimum wage, or significantly more in higher-paying roles. Working full-time during summer is one of the most effective ways to fund tuition costs without taking on debt.
Realistic earnings projections
| Work scenario | Hours | Rate | Monthly gross |
|---|---|---|---|
| Off-campus minimum wage (Ontario) | 24 hrs/week | $17.20/hr | ~$1,650 |
| Restaurant service with tips | 20 hrs/week | $22 avg (incl. tips) | ~$1,760 |
| Campus library or admin | 15 hrs/week | $20/hr | ~$1,200 |
| Private tutoring (3 students) | 9 hrs/week | $40/hr | ~$1,440 |
| Full-time summer (Ontario) | 40 hrs/week | $17.20/hr | ~$2,752 |
| Co-op tech work term (Waterloo) | 40 hrs/week | $35 avg/hr | ~$6,000 |
Working in Canada? Make sure your accommodation budget makes sense.
Student income goes further with affordable accommodation. Browse StudentBuddy for verified student rooms priced to work with a part-time student income near your Canadian campus.
Find student accommodation in Canada →Frequently asked questions
No. Before November 2024, the limit was 20 hours per week. IRCC permanently increased this to 24 hours following a successful temporary measure. Always verify the current limit on ircc.canada.ca as policies can change.
Yes. Income earned in Canada is taxable. Most students earning below the basic personal amount (~CAD $15,705 for 2026 federally) pay minimal or zero tax and often receive GST/HST credit refunds by filing. File a Canadian tax return by April 30 every year you earn income in Canada. Free tax clinics are available at most universities in February and March.
Yes. Winter break (typically mid-December to early January) is a scheduled academic break during which international students can work full-time with no hour restrictions, provided they are enrolled and returning to full-time study afterwards.
DoorDash bicycle delivery requires only the app and a bicycle. Uber car driving requires a valid provincial driver's licence. Income from these platforms is self-employment income and must be declared on your Canadian tax return.
Exceeding the 24-hour limit is a violation of your study permit conditions. If discovered, it can affect future immigration applications and potentially your current permit status. Keep records of your work hours across all jobs, and immediately reduce if you approach the limit in any week.
