If you are an international student in Canada, your study permit may let you work off campus without a separate work permit. This guide explains the general rules IRCC publishes for 2026: how many hours you can work, when you can work more, and the situations where you cannot work at all.
Requirements for each person depend on their own situation, and IRCC makes every decision. Treat this as general information and confirm the details on IRCC’s website before you apply.
Quick answer: how many hours can international students work in Canada?
During regular school terms, eligible students can work up to 24 hours per week off campus. During scheduled breaks set by your school, such as winter break, reading week or summer break, there is no weekly limit.
| Period | Off-campus hours allowed |
|---|---|
| Regular academic term | Up to 24 hours per week |
| Scheduled school break (winter, reading week, summer) | No weekly limit |
| Program with no scheduled breaks | Up to 24 hours per week all year |
| Authorized leave from studies, or between schools and not studying | Not allowed |
The 24 hours is the total across all your off-campus jobs, not per job. If your study permit says 20 hours, IRCC says you can still work up to 24 hours as long as you continue to meet the eligibility conditions.
Who can work off campus
IRCC lists these conditions. You generally need to meet all of them:
- You are a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI).
- You have started your program. You cannot work before your studies begin.
- Your program is post-secondary (academic, vocational or professional), or a secondary-level vocational program in Quebec.
- Your program is at least six months long and leads to a degree, diploma or certificate.
- You have a valid study permit, or you applied to extend it before it expired.
- Your study permit has a condition that allows off-campus work.
- You have a Social Insurance Number (SIN).
Working during scheduled breaks
Your school decides its scheduled breaks, and they appear in its academic calendar. During those breaks, IRCC allows unlimited off-campus hours. Taking a course during the break, part-time or full-time, does not reduce this. If your program has no scheduled breaks, the 24-hour weekly limit applies throughout the year.
Part-time study in your final semester
Off-campus work normally requires full-time study. There is one exception: you can study part-time in your final semester if you do not need a full course load to finish and you were a full-time student in Canada up to that semester.
Co-op placements and internships: no separate permit since April 2026
Since April 1, 2026, eligible post-secondary students no longer need a separate co-op work permit for a work placement that is a required part of their program. They can work for employers approved by their school. If your program includes a co-op or internship, check with your school’s international student office about how this applies to you.
After you finish your program
Your right to work off campus is tied to being a student. IRCC describes two situations where you can keep working after you finish:
- Waiting for a work permit decision. If you applied for a work permit, such as a post-graduation work permit (PGWP), before your study permit expired, you can work unlimited hours while you wait for a decision.
- Starting a new program. If you were already eligible, have confirmation that you completed your previous program and an acceptance letter for a new full-time DLI program, you can work while you transition. You must start the new program within 150 days.
If neither applies, you should stop working once your studies end. Read our guide to post-graduation work permit eligibility to plan ahead.
Why the limits matter
Working more hours than your permit allows, or working when you are not eligible, breaks the conditions of your study permit and can have serious consequences for your status and future applications. Keep your own record of hours worked each week, especially if you have more than one job.
Frequently asked questions
Can I work 40 hours a week as an international student?
Only during your school’s scheduled breaks, when there is no weekly limit. During regular terms, the limit is 24 hours per week across all off-campus jobs.
Do on-campus jobs count toward the 24 hours?
On-campus work has separate rules from off-campus work. Check IRCC’s page on working on campus and confirm with your school before relying on combined hours.
Can I work before my program starts?
No. IRCC says you must have started your study program before you can work off campus.