Way to earn money in Canada on-campus, off-campus, or remotely for international students

Work Smarter, Not Harder: Earning Money in Canada as an International Student

For many international students, supplemental income is essential for covering living expenses and making the most of their experience in Canada. Your study permit allows you to work, but it's crucial to understand the rules set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to maintain your student status.

Here is a complete guide to the various ways international students can legally earn money in Canada, whether on campus, off campus, or remotely.

I. Working Off-Campus & Side Hustles (The Standard 24-Hour Rule)

Most international students are eligible to work off-campus without a separate work permit, provided they meet specific criteria. All types of off-campus work, including part-time jobs and side hustles (like food delivery or freelancing for a Canadian client), must be counted toward your weekly limit.

A. Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for off-campus work, you must:

1. Be a full-time student enrolled at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
2. Be enrolled in a post-secondary academic, vocational or professional training program.
3. Be enrolled in a program that leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate and is at least six months long.
4. Have started your studies (you cannot work until classes have officially begun).
5. Have a Social Insurance Number (SIN).

B. The 24-Hour Limit (NEW)

During regular academic sessions (when classes are in session), you are strictly limited to working 24 hours per week off-campus. Violating this limit is a serious breach of your study permit conditions and can lead to being asked to leave Canada.

C. Full-Time Work

You may work full-time off-campus during scheduled breaks, such as the summer and winter holidays, or during reading week.

Examples of Off-Campus Side Hustles:

• Delivery Driver or Cyclist: Picking up orders from restaurants or grocery stores for delivery.
• Pet Care and Dog Walking: Providing care for pets in a local area.
• Mystery Shopper/Store Auditor: Visiting stores to rate experiences and report on findings.
• Local Tutoring (In Person): Meeting students outside the campus to review class material.

II. Working On-Campus

Working on-campus is a popular option because it has fewer restrictions.

A. Exemption from the 24-Hour Limit

If you meet the general on-campus work eligibility criteria (full-time student at a DLI, valid study permit), you can work full-time on campus, even during the academic session. The work must be within the boundaries of the campus (the land owned by the institution).

B. Types of On-Campus Jobs

• University/College Departments: Administrative offices, libraries, labs, or research departments.
• Campus Services: Jobs in bookstores, cafeterias, student residences, or gym facilities.
• Teaching/Research Assistantships (TAs/RAs): These roles, especially at the graduate level, count as on-campus work if the funding originates from the university's operating budget.
• Student Union or Club Assistant: Helping with admin tasks, social media, and event promotion for campus clubs.
• Note-taker or Accessibility Support Assistant: Creating organized notes for students with accommodations.

III. Co-op and Internship Programs

If your academic program includes a mandatory co-op or internship component, this is a third distinct pathway for legal employment.

A. Requirement for a Co-op Work Permit

Unlike the standard off-campus work allowance, you must apply for a separate Co-op Work Permit (CWP) if your employment is part of your academic curriculum. This permit is required regardless of whether the placement is paid or unpaid.

B. Program Requirements

• The work must be an essential part of your program of study in Canada.
• Your employment/co-op must not form more than 50% of your total program of study.
• You must obtain a letter from your school confirming that all students in your program must complete work placements to get their degree, diploma, or certificate.

IV. Working Remotely for Foreign Employers

International students can engage in remote work, but the limits depend entirely on where the employer/client is located and who provides the payment.

A. Remote Work for Canadian Entities

If you are working remotely for a Canadian employer/company or servicing Canadian clients and getting paid by a Canadian entity, your work hours must be included in the 24-hour per week off-campus limit during the academic session.

B. Remote Work for Foreign Employers (Unlimited Hours)

If your remote side hustle is performed from within Canada for a foreign employer (meaning they have no physical or financial ties to Canada, and you are paid into a non-Canadian account), you can work unlimited hours. This work is not regulated by your Canadian study permit conditions, provided it does not interfere with your full-time study requirements.

Examples of Remote Side Hustles:

• Virtual Assistant: Organizing calendars, managing email, and scheduling for a foreign company.
• Customer Support: Replying to inquiries for an international business.
• Platform-Based Freelancing: Offering services (writing, design, web development) as an independent contractor on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr to foreign clients.
• Copywriting: Developing written content for non-Canadian businesses.

Compliance Checklist for International Students

To avoid serious compliance issues, always ensure you meet these criteria:

Note: If you drop to part-time status during an academic session (other than a scheduled break), you immediately lose your eligibility to work off-campus. Always prioritize maintaining your full-time student status. Failing to meet the conditions of your study permit can result in loss of your student status, removal from Canada, and having future permit applications refused.