Part-time Work

Working while studying in Canada provides valuable work experience, especially if your ultimate goal is to apply for PR (permanent residence). Not only that, but taking up part-time work will allow you to meet new people and form professional connections that will be useful when you start looking for full-time work. Overseas students looking for part-time work do not need to be highly skilled. There are numerous professions that merely demand you to be diligent, hardworking, and eager to learn new things.

The Canadian student visa allows you to work for a paid work for 20 hours a week. However, this is the maximum number of hours you are permitted to work. Universities recommend that students enrolled in difficult or intensive courses, should work a maximum of 12 hours per week. Working for more than this time can have a negative impact on a student’s academic achievement. You might therefore limit the number of working hours if you believe you are unable to maintain a work-study-life balance.

So, is it worthwhile to study in Canada in 2023? The answer is absolutely YES!

Monetary Pay

Students are usually paid by the hour for part-time jobs. On average, the hourly wage is around $10. If your aim is to get work experience, such as assisting your professor with research, you do not need a work permit. If you want to work with your teachers, make sure you network well with them. It will assist you get into academics if you want to work in research. This type of work must be done on campus and will earn less; you may work more than the required number of hours. So, even if you only have a student visa, you can still do academic work on campus.

After six months of education, an international student can apply for an off-campus work permit if he wants to work. This permit will allow the student to work off-campus for a maximum of 20 hours per week.

Latest Update

To ease unemployment problem in the economy, Canada lifted the prohibition on international students working 20 hours per week. More information can be found here.

How to Find a Part-time Job

On-campus job ads are posted on bulletin boards at all universities and colleges. There will also be websites with information on similar work opportunities.

You can work in cafes, restaurants, and coffee shops; retail outlets such as clothing or sports stores; as a lifeguard or swimming instructor at a college pool or beach; bookstores, libraries, and so on. You can work as a translator if you are multilingual. Because Canada is a multicultural society, translators are in high demand.

Visa and Part-time Work

Students must understand the difference between S-1 and SW-1 Visas.

• S-1 Visa is Study Only Visa
• SW-1 Visa is a Study and Work Visa (given to those who have compulsory work, internship, or co-op program that requires Credits of Work)

• You can also work with an S-1 visa for up to 20 hours per week (part-time) during semesters. Full-time work is permitted during the vacation period. Furthermore, if you find a co-op, you can have your S-1 Visa upgraded to a SW-1 Visa at no additional expense.

Top Part-time Jobs in Canada

Part-time job salaries can vary depending on the task. The average hourly wage for a part-time job is CAD 22; however, students are paid by the hour for part-time work, which is roughly CAD 10/hour. In addition, pay for part-time labour can differ from city to city.