Working in Canada as International Students

Note: Travelling during Summer might be something you’ve been looking forward to for a long time, however, please remember to check the expiry date of your Entry Visa/eTA. You cannot reenter Canada if your entry visa/eTA has expired. Check your visa expiry date and if it expires soon, renew it as soon as possible. Please check IRCC’s website about how to renew your visitor visa. As an international student, you may be eligible to work in Canada while studying and after you graduate. As a study permit holder, you may qualify to work on-campus or off-campus without an additional work permit if you meet specific criteria. You may also apply for a post-graduation work permit after you graduate from an eligible institution. Please visit the Immigration Specialist at York International for an individual advising if you would like to learn more about working as an international student while studying at York University.

Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Definition

A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a nine-digit number that you need in order to work in Canada or to have have access to government programs and benefits. It allows an employer to process payroll while informing the Canadian Revenue Agency about the amount of money a person earns. The expiry date of your SIN, especially if it is a temporary SIN (which starts with a 9), will match the date provided in your immigration documents. You can renew your SIN as you renew your study or work permit.

Application Process

Even if you had received a job offer, you must apply for a SIN before you can receive earnings and benefits. You will need:

A document confirming your address
Your original passport
A valid study permit

Protecting your SIN

Your SIN can be used to commit fraud and ruin your credit rating. Here are some of the best practices to protect your information:

Do NOT carry your physical SIN in a wallet or purse
If you have a physical copy of your SIN, store it in a safe place
Never use your SIN as a piece of identification
Provide your SIN only when legally required
Provide your SIN over the phone only if you make the call
Beware of emails asking for personal information
Shred physical copies of your SIN if no longer valid

Working during Scheduled Breaks

Regularly scheduled breaks are part of York University's academic calendar. These can include reading weeks and Winter and Summer holidays. The dates for the official regularly scheduled breaks can be found on York University's official website.

International students holding a valid study permit are permitted to work full-time during regularly scheduled breaks if they meet the requirement of holding a full-time student status before and after the breaks. Students must meet the following eligibility requirements to work during scheduled breaks:

Must be enrolled as a full-time student before and after the scheduled break
Must have a valid study permit
Must have a written statement on study permit that allows student to work off-campus
Must hold a full-time student status

Graduate students must be enrolled as a full-time student to be eligible to work on- and off-campus. Summer break, however, is a regular academic term like Fall and Winter. You cannot work more than 20 hours per week off-campus. For students enrolled at the School of Continuing Studies, full-time enrolment is defined by the program.

On-Campus Work Requirements

According to IRCC's recent update regarding work authorization for international students (November 15, 2024): Students can work unlimited hours on-campus.

DISCLAIMER: You are NOT allowed to work before your studies begin.

Must have a valid study permit
Must have a written statement on study permit that allows student to work off-campus
Must hold a full-time student status
Must have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Written work statements can include:

"May accept employment on or off-campus if meeting criteria per R186(f), (v), (w). Must cease working if no longer meeting criteria."
"May accept employment on campus of the institution at which registered in full-time studies"

Work/Study Program Eligibility Requirements

The information you will find in this section only applies if you're applying to the Work/Study Program.

The Work/Study Programs give eligible undergraduate students paid, on-campus work that develops professional skills and contributes to the University. Enrich your classroom experiences and get support and tools needed to develop competencies that will contribute to your long-term personal and professional success. The information you will find in this section only applies if you're applying to the Work/Study Program.

Must have a valid study permit
Study permit must include a condition stating
The summer term must be a "scheduled break" according to the program, meaning it is optional*
- For most undergraduate programs, the summer term is option. If unsure, student should consult their academic advisor to confirm whether their summer term is optional or mandatory. They should also verify with immigration advisors at York regarding work eligibilty.
Must have been a full-time student before the summer break and intend to return to full-time studies after the summer break

On-campus work: No limit on the number of hours a student can work

Off-campus work: Limited to 24 hours per week

What is considered Full-Time Status at York University?

Graduate and School of Continuing Studies (SCS) students: Must confirm full-time status with their department

Undergraduate Students: At least 9 credits per term

Scenario 1: Dropping a Course Before the End of Winter Term

Situation: A student was enrolled in 9 credits during the Winter 2025 term but dropped a course before the term ended. They plan to return to full-time studies in the Fall term.

Can they work in the summer? No.

Dropping a course before the term ends changes their status to part-time, making them ineligible to continue working for the remainder of the Winter term.
They will also not be authorized to work in th eSummer term unless they are enrolled full-time in the summer.

Scenario 2: Planning a Leave of Absence or Less Than 9 Credits in Fall

Situation: A student was full-time in Winter 2025 but plans to take a leave of absence in Fall or enroll in less than 9 credits. Fall is not their final term, and they will not take any summer courses. Can they work in the summer? No.

To work in the summer, they must either be returning to full-time studies in the Fall or be enrolled full-time in the summer

Off-Campus Work Requirements

According to IRCC's recent update regarding work authorization for international students (November 15, 2024): Students can work up to 24 hours per week off-campus while classes are in session. Off-campus work means you are working at any location outside the boundaries of York University campuses.

DISCLAIMER: You are NOT allowed to work before your studies begin.

Must have a valid study permit
Must have a written statement on study permit that allows student to work off-campus
Must hold a full-time student status at a designated learning institution at the post-secondary level
Must be studying in an academic, vocational, or professional training program that leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate that is at least 6 months in duration
Must have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Written work statements can include:

“May accept employment on campus of the institution at which registered in full-time studies”
“May accept employment on or off-campus if meeting criteria per R186(f), (v), (w). Must cease working if no longer meeting criteria.”

Use IRCC's assessment tool to determine if you are eligible to work off-campus.

Internships and Co-operation Education

Experiential learning opportunities may include co-ops, internships, practicum placements, etc. This is the broader term that encompasses the guided practical experiences in the classroom, the workplace, and in the community.

Depending on the experiential learning opportunity, it MAY or MAY NOT meet the definition of work in Canada.

Co-operative opportunities are available depending on the students area of study. The co-op work permit can ONLY be used to complete the required internship or work placement, and the student may ONLY accept employment and work if the employer was approved by the student's program of study for the specified work term.

Must have a valid study permit
Employment must be required to complete study program in Canada
Must present letter certified by a responsible academic official of the institution
Co-op placement or internship totals up to 50% or less of study program

You are encouraged to apply for a co-op work permit or extend your co-op permit within Canada. There is no cost required to submit co-op work applications. However, some applications require the completion of a medical exam, which may include additional costs in the application. The expiry date of your co-op work permit will usually match the expiry date of study permit.

Research Assistant (RA) and Teaching Assistant (TA) roles not part of graduate programs do NOT require a co-op work permit.

"Would working in my co-op work placement remove my status as a student?"

Answer: No. You are still maintaining your full-time status at York University.

"Will doing a co-op placement affect my ability to qualify for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP)?”

Answer: No. You are still considered as a student during the duration of your co-op placement.

"Can I use my co-op work permit beyond the established time range approved by my program?”

Answer: No. You can only use it for the duration approved by your co-op coordinator

"Can I use my co-op work permit with an employer that was not approved by the institution I am in?”

Answer: No. You can only work with the employer approved by your co-op coordinator.

"What do I do if my study permit expires during my co-op term?”

Answer: You must apply for a new study permit and a co-op work permit extension before the expiry date.

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

DISCLAIMER: A recent announcement from the IRCC (As of February 15, 2024) states that the length for PGWP for Master's students will change to 16 months of study to be eligible for a PGWP valid for 3 years. Please consult the official website for updated information.

Upon completion of your program at York, you may be eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) which is an open work permit that allows you to work in Canada for up to three years. Please note that you must have continuously studied full time in an academic program for more than eight months to be eligible. Part time studies may make you ineligible for a post graduate work permit. At the time of the application your study permit must be valid if you would like to work full time while waiting for the permit to be processed. You must apply within 180 days of the release of your final grades. You will need to provide both a graduation letter AND an official transcript in the work permit application.

Upon the completion of your program at York, you may be eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). The eligibility requirements to apply for a PGWP are:

Completion of a program of study in Canada
Must have continuously studied full-time in an academic program for more than 8 months
Must have a valid study permit at the time of the application
Must provide a graduation letter and official transcript

For detailed information on how to apply for the Post-Graduation Work Permit, please visit our Immigration Application Resources page.

The length of your PGWP depends on the length of your program of study. Please refer to the IRCC webpage for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding PGWP eligibility and duration.

Getting Help with Job Search

York’s Career centre has the knowledge and the resources to prepare you professionally for your future career paths. They offer services such as:

Resume and Cover Letter Writing
Interview Preparation
Effective use of of LinkedIn
Networking Strategies

Work/Study programs are on-campus opportunities for undergraduate students to get paid and engage with on-campus work. They develop professional skills and enable the ability to contribute to the York University’s community. More information on eligibility, the application process, number of available positions, and more can be found on this website.

Volunteer opportunities can enhance your leadership skills and assist in the preparation of your professional development. Work is defined as an activiy for which wages are paid or comission is earned as per the IRCC.

Some examples of volunteer opportunities at York include:

York International volunteer o p portunities
Volunteering in student associations (found in YU Connect)

NOTE: If you work in Canada, you are required to file an annual income tax. More information on the instructions to file your taxes in Canada can be found on this link.

Job posting platforms are available on the Career Centre's website. The link can be found here.

Volunteering in external community centres is a great way to engage with communities across the city. Some community centres are:

Volunteer Toronto
YMCA Toronto
Toronto Public Library Volunteer Program

NOTE: If you work in Canada, you are required to file an annual income tax.

Preventing Job and Employment Scams

COMMON RED FLAGS FOR JOB SCAMS

The job requires an upfront payment of a fee (for business plans, start up materials, software) or requires you to to recruit other people
The "employer" requests for banking or personal information
The "employer" claim to guarantee either a job or a certain level of income
The "employer" offers a job as a "secret shopper" to test services of a company that cashes cheques or transfers money
The "employer" sends a cheque now as an incentive or signing bonus, but there is a money-transfer to partially cover the cost

Beware of claims of guaranteed income
Beware of upfront fees
Beware of urgency
Be cautious of request for personal information (address, birth date, SIN, credit card or bank information)
Conduct a thorough research on the offer and the employer's background information
Do NOT agree to cash a cheque – these can be fraudulent
Do NOT accept offers if details are not explicitly written
Do NOT sign documents without reading through them
Do NOT be afraid to say no!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

You can amend your study permit to include a statement if you fulfill eligibility requirements. You may request to amend your study permit here. Processing times can be found here.

Depending on the job, you may need to complete an Immigration Medical Exam (IME) with a panel physician. You can then apply to change the conditions of your study permit.

If you meet eligibility requirements for on-campus work, you may work as a TA or RA with no limit to the number of hours with your study permit.

You can find additional resources by contacting York International through email or phone. Information can be found on this website. For immigration-related questions, you can schedule an appointment to meet an International Student Advisor and Immigration Specialist at York International.

For more information, feel free to check out the Immigration Application Resources and Tutorial Videos.