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Disclaimer

Canadian immigration laws are always subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the official website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The website was prepared by a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) in compliance with the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. This is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws and procedures change frequently, and so the requirements and procedure for working while studying may have changed. This page was updated on July 01, 2022. This page is intended for students of Humber College; the information contained herein may not be applicable to students at other academic institutions.

WORKING WHILE STUDYING AT HUMBER

As an international student, if authorized, you are allowed to work while you are studying. Before you start to work in Canada, you must obtain a Social Insurance Number (SIN).

How do I apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN)?

You can apply for a Social Insurance Number online on the Service Canada website.

You need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) from Service Canada to work in Canada or to receive benefits and services from government programs. You must have a condition or remark similar to below printed on your study permit in order to apply for a SIN:

  • “May work 20 hours/week off-campus or fulltime during regular breaks if meeting criteria outlined in section 186(v) or IPRP.”
  • “May accept employment on or off campus if meeting criteria eligibility criteria as per R186(f), (v) or (w).”
  • “Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.”

If your study permit does not have one of the above conditions or remarks, you can submit a request for an amendment to your study permit before you can apply for a SIN. There is no fee for this request.

Visit the Government of Canada website for more information on amending your study permit conditions.

If your study permit states: “This permit does not permit the holder to engage in off campus employment in Canada”, you must apply to change the conditions of your study permit and pay the applicable fee ($150).

Working Off Campus

Before you start working, confirm that your study permit is: 1) valid for postsecondary studies and 2) verify that your study permit allows you to work on or off-campus. You can only start working in Canada once your study program has started.

You can work off-campus up to 20 hours per week if you meet all the following conditions:

  • You are enrolled as a full-time student in an eligible program at the College (English for Academic Purpose studies are not eligible to work off-campus), or
  • You are enrolled part-time in the last semester of your study and you don’t need a full course load to complete your program; and you were a full-time student up until the last semester, and
  • You have a valid study permit, which states you "may work" or "may accept employment" on or off campus

You can work full-time hours if:

  • You’re on a scheduled break from your program, and
  • You are registered as a full-time student immediately before and after the break

You must stop working off-campus if:

  • You drop to part-time and this is not your last semester, or
  • If you are on an authorized or unauthorized leave from your study

Working on Campus

Finding a job on campus while you are a student is a great way to gain valuable work experience, develop transferable skills for employment, and learn about resources and services available at Humber College. Learn more about applying for a workstudy position from Advising & Career Services.

On-campus work includes working at any of our College campuses, including: Athletics, Student Life Programs (Orientation, Leadership, Residence, First Year Experience), Peer Programs (peer mentors, peer tutors), Indigenous Education & Engagement, Counselling, Accessibility Learning Services, Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre (SWAC), Student Events, Public Safety, International Centre, Library, Facilities, Recruitment (campus tour guide), IGNITE, as well as the academic faculties.

Humber will allow students to work on-campus 24 hours per week.

For more information, see the Government of Canada website: Work on Campus Work off Campus


How do I apply for a Co-op Work Permit from inside Canada?

If you are in a program that requires you to complete a co-op, placement, internship, or practicum, you must have a Co-op Work Permit before you begin. The Co-op Work Permit is valid only for the work placement approved by Humber.

See Humber College’s guide to get you started on your Co-op Work Permit application


Can I continue working after my program ends?

  • If you meet on/off-campus work conditions, you can continue working 20 hours per week under your Study Permit until your Confirmation of Graduation is issued (COG).
  • Once your COG is issued, you are no longer allowed to work (0 hours). Your COG is scheduled to be released 5 to 6 weeks after your final grades have been submitted as per the Academic Calendar. Check MyHumber under Student Records daily to see if it is released.
  • After you apply for your PGWP, you are allowed to work full-time if you meet certain conditions.

How do I find a job in Canada?

International students can visit the Humber Career Centre to see job postings and for help with resumé writing, cover letter reviews, and mock job interviews.

Information for Employers: Working Eligibility for International Students While They Are Enrolled at Humber College

Working on-campus

Students may work on-campus without a work permit while they study at Humber College if they:

  • Have a valid study permit, and study permit lists a condition that says they are allowed to work on-campus
  • Are registered full-time; a student registered part-time in their very last semester who have maintained a full-time course loads for all previous semesters without any unofficial breaks, may still be eligible to work
  • Have a valid Social Insurance Number

Work hours for on-campus employment

  • Positions during the traditional academic year (Sept-April): you can work a maximum of 24 hours per week
  • Positions during the traditional Summer semester break (May-Aug) can be full-time to a maximum of 40 hours or part-time to a maximum of 24 hours

More information is available on the Government of Canada’s Work On Campus as an International Student page.

Working off-campus

Students may work off-campus without a work permit while they study at Humber College if they:

  • Have a valid study permit, and study permit lists a condition that says they are allowed to work off-campus
  • Are registered full-time; a student registered part-time in their very last semester who have maintained a full-time course loads for all previous semesters without any unofficial breaks, may still be eligible to work
  • Are enrolled in a degree, diploma, or certificate program that is at least six months long and have already started the program
  • Have a valid Social Insurance Number

Work Hours

Students may work up to 20 hours per week during their regular full-time academic sessions and may work full-time during their regularly scheduled breaks.

More information is available on the Government of Canada’s Work Off Campus as an International Student page.

Working Eligibility for International Students Transitioning From a Student to a Post-Graduation Work Permit Holder

Maintained status

International students who have applied for a Post-Graduation Work Permit may start to work full-time until the decision is made as per s.186 (w) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (considered as maintained status) if they:

  • had a valid study permit when they submitted their application
  • completed their study program, and the PGWP application was submitted within 90 days following the completion of their program of study
  • were eligible to work off campus without a work permit while studying and they didn’t work more hours than they were allowed to

Social Insurance Number and Maintained Status

If a temporary resident (i.e. international student or foreign worker) applies for renewal of their work or study permit and their permit expires before a decision is made, they can continue working or studying under the same conditions while their application for renewal is being processed, as long as they remain in Canada. This is referred to as "maintained status"; as per paragraph 186(u) and section 189 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. For more details, please visit the Government of Canada’s Employer Information – Social Insurance Number (SIN) page, and refer to the subsection titled “Before extending employment for your employee”.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

If you have further questions: attend a study permit workshop or contact us.