Dhiraj Kandel
Managing DirectorSchedule a free consultation with our expert counselors to discuss your study
Yes, international students can work more than 24 hours in Canada in certain situations. Eligible students may work unlimited off-campus hours during an officially scheduled academic break. Eligible on-campus work and approved student work placements also follow different rules. However, during a regular academic term, the limit for eligible off-campus work is 24 hours per week.
The 24-hour rule applies to your total off-campus work across all employers. It is not 24 hours for each job. Working beyond the permitted limit during an academic session can violate your study permit conditions and affect your current status or future immigration applications.
Nepali students planning to study in Canada from Nepal should understand these rules before relying on part-time income. Your studies must remain your main purpose in Canada, and you should always confirm the latest employment rules through official IRCC guidance.
Eligible international students can work up to 24 hours per week off campus during regular school terms or semesters. The 24-hour limit has applied since changes to Canada’s International Student Program took effect in November 2024.
IRCC places responsibility on students to track and prove their off-campus working hours. Hours include time spent earning wages, receiving payment for a service, selling a product, or collecting a commission. Self-employed students must also maintain records of the hours they work.
| Academic period | Off-campus work allowed |
| Regular academic term | Up to 24 hours per week |
| Officially scheduled summer or winter break | Unlimited hours |
| Official reading week or spring break | Unlimited hours |
| Program without scheduled breaks | Up to 24 hours per week |
| Authorised leave from studies | Not permitted |
| Before the study program begins | Not permitted |
| After program completion | Depends on separate work authorisation |
The limit is a maximum, not an automatic right to work. You must first meet all off-campus work eligibility requirements and follow the conditions printed on your study permit.
International students can work off campus without a separate work permit when they meet all IRCC requirements. Generally, you must:
Part-time students may usually work off campus only in their final semester if they previously studied full-time and need a reduced course load to complete the program.
Your institution decides whether your course load is considered full-time. This may depend on the number of credits, courses or contact hours you take. IRCC does not publish one national GPA that students must maintain to keep working. However, you must remain enrolled, actively pursue your studies and follow your study permit conditions. Academic suspension, withdrawal, an unauthorised reduction in studies or failure to make reasonable academic progress can affect your work authorisation.
Students should speak with their institution’s international student office before dropping courses. A change that appears minor academically may affect your immigration status, working eligibility, or future Post-Graduation Work Permit plans.
You generally cannot work off campus without separate authorization when:
A student who becomes eligible after changing programs may need to request a change to the conditions on their study permit before applying for a SIN or starting work.
A Social Insurance Number is a nine-digit government number required to work legally and receive employment income in Canada. Eligible students can apply for a SIN online, by mail, or through a Service Canada location.
Your study permit must contain a condition confirming that you are authorised to work on or off campus. A SIN does not provide work authorisation by itself. You can work only while you continue meeting the conditions of your study permit.
Students can work more than 24 hours only in specific situations where the regular off-campus limit does not apply. These include:
The exact rules depend on the type of work and the student’s immigration status. A quiet study week, fewer classes, or an employer offering extra shifts does not automatically allow a student to exceed 24 off-campus hours.
Eligible international students may work unlimited off-campus hours during an officially scheduled break, such as summer, winter, spring break, or reading week. Students exploring part-time jobs in Canada for international students should confirm the exact break dates in their institution’s academic calendar before accepting full-time shifts. Once the regular academic term begins again, the 24-hour weekly limit applies.
A scheduled break must form part of the institution’s official academic calendar. It is not simply a period when you have fewer classes, finish exams early or decide to take time away from studies.
For example, suppose your final examination ends on December 10, but the institution’s official winter break begins on December 18. Do not assume you can begin working unlimited hours on December 11. Confirm the official break dates with your institution.
A semester break may allow unlimited hours when the DLI officially identifies it as a scheduled break. An officially listed reading week can also qualify.
However, a personal break, an unofficial gap between courses or a week without scheduled classes may not qualify. Students should use the academic calendar rather than relying on an employer’s interpretation.
Some intensive and continuous programs do not include a summer or winter break. Students in these programs remain limited to 24 off-campus hours per week because a normal calendar period does not automatically become a scheduled break.
Examination periods normally remain part of the regular academic session unless the DLI officially identifies them as a scheduled break. A student cannot work 30 hours simply because classes have ended and only exams remain.
Extra shifts are permitted only when the total off-campus hours remain at or below 24 for the week, unless an official scheduled break has started.
On-campus and off-campus jobs follow different conditions under a Canadian study permit. Students should understand the main Canadian student visa rules before accepting work or changing their weekly schedule.
The 24-hour weekly limit applies to eligible off-campus work during regular academic terms. Eligible on-campus work follows separate rules, but students must remain enrolled and continue meeting their study permit conditions.
| Rule | On-campus work | Off-campus work |
| Weekly limit during classes | No federal immigration limit | Up to 24 hours |
| Scheduled breaks | Unlimited if eligible | Unlimited if eligible |
| A separate work permit is normally required | No | No |
| Full-time student status normally required | Yes | Yes |
| Study permit work condition required | Yes | Yes |
| SIN required for paid work | Yes | Yes |
| Can begin before the program starts | No | No |
| Work during authorised leave | No | No |
On-campus work means employment in buildings located on the campus where you study. An eligible employer may include:
Teaching or research assistants may sometimes work at an affiliated library, research facility or hospital outside the main campus when the work is directly connected to a research grant.
A student may be eligible to hold both types of employment. The off-campus total must remain within 24 hours during regular terms, regardless of the student’s on-campus schedule.
Academic performance should remain the priority. The absence of a federal hourly limit on eligible on-campus work should not be treated as permission to neglect classes, assignments or attendance.
Required co-op placements, internships, and practicums may follow different rules from regular part-time jobs when they are approved by the DLI. Since April 1, 2026, eligible post-secondary students do not need a separate co-op work permit for a required placement, but they still need the correct study permit conditions and a confirmation letter from their institution.
For an eligible post-secondary placement:
There is no weekly immigration limit for eligible student work placement hours. However, the placement cannot total more than 50% of the study program.
An optional internship does not automatically qualify as a student work placement. If it is not required by your program and approved by the DLI, it may be treated as ordinary employment.
In that case, an off-campus internship would normally count toward the 24-hour weekly limit during academic sessions. Students should confirm the placement’s official status before accepting a full-time internship.
Every situation depends on your specific study permit conditions, program, and institution, so treat this as a general guide rather than a final answer for your case:
| Scenario | Usually allowed? | Main condition |
| Working 24 off-campus hours during classes | Yes | All eligibility requirements must be met |
| Working 30 off-campus hours during classes | No | Exceeds the weekly limit |
| Working two off-campus jobs totalling 24 hours | Yes | Combined hours cannot exceed 24 |
| Working unlimited hours during the official reading week | Yes | Reading week must be a scheduled DLI break |
| Working unlimited hours in a program with no breaks | No | The regular 24-hour limit continues |
| Working before the program starts | No | Work can begin only after studies start |
| Working during an authorised leave | No | Student work authorisation is suspended |
| Eligible for on-campus employment above 24 hours | Yes | Separate on-campus rules apply |
| Mandatory DLI-approved post-secondary placement | Yes | Must meet placement requirements |
| Optional full-time internship during classes | Usually no | Regular off-campus limit may apply |
| Remote work for an employer outside Canada | May be allowed | Must still meet study permit conditions |
| Working full-time after submitting an eligible PGWP application | May be allowed | All PGWP waiting-period conditions must be met |
Individual facts can change the result. Students should verify uncertain situations with their institution and current IRCC guidance rather than relying only on an employer, friend or social media post.
Working more than 24 hours off campus can violate your study permit conditions. IRCC may verify compliance through enrolment and employment records, so students should keep timesheets, pay stubs, and a clear record of all paid work, including freelance or gig work.
Possible consequences include:
Work eligibility depends on more than the number of hours. If you become ineligible, such as dropping to part-time studies outside your final semester, you must stop working off campus immediately.
It can. The current authorisation to work full-time while waiting for a PGWP decision requires the student not to have exceeded 24 off-campus hours during academic sessions.
Unauthorised work may also raise broader compliance concerns during the PGWP assessment or another future application. The exact outcome depends on the facts, duration, evidence and immigration decision. Students should not rely on the assumption that a small violation will automatically be ignored.
Explain that your off-campus limit is connected to your immigration status. Provide your availability in writing and keep copies of your schedules. Both the student and employer are responsible for confirming that the student is allowed to work. An employer’s request does not override the conditions of a study permit.
If a schedule would place you over the limit:
A few misunderstandings come up again and again:
Working during your studies can provide income, experience and exposure to the Canadian workplace, but employment rules should be considered before selecting a program. Personalized guidance can help you compare institutions, check DLI and PGWP considerations, estimate your study budget, and understand the Canadian study permit process from Nepal.
Book a free consultation to plan your Canadian study journey with clearer information about programs, costs, applications and post-study goals.
Yes, but only in specific situations, such as during an officially scheduled academic break or under another valid work authorisation.
Yes, if the reading week is officially listed as a scheduled break by the DLI.
Not unless the official scheduled break has started or another valid work authorisation applies.
No. The 24-hour limit applies to off-campus work during regular academic terms.
No. Students cannot work on or off campus during an authorised leave.
Yes, if you meet all IRCC requirements for working while your PGWP application is being processed.
It may. Freelance and self-employed work performed in Canada can count toward the limit.
No. An employer cannot override the conditions of your study permit.
It can, especially when the position would normally be paid or provides competitive work experience.
From choosing the right country to finding scholarships and housing — our counselors will guide you at every step.
Choose the right country based on your goals
Find courses that match your career plan
Get guidance on colleges and universities
Plan your finances, scholarships & part-time jobs
Plan your abroad stay & post-study plan
Schedule a free consultation with our expert counselors to discuss your study
Schedule a free consultation with our expert counselors to discuss your study