On- and off-campus work rights that come with a study permit, and their limits.
A study permit can carry work authorisation as a condition, rather than requiring a separate work permit. Where it does, the permit itself states the conditions, and those conditions are what govern — not what a friend was allowed to do, and not what applied in a previous year.
There are broadly two kinds of work involved. On- and off-campus work is incidental to studying and is capped at a number of hours IRCC sets, which has changed more than once in recent years. Work that is a required part of the program — co-op placements and internships — is different, and generally needs its own co-op work permit alongside the study permit.
Exceeding the limit is not a minor administrative matter. It is a breach of the conditions of your status, it can affect an extension, and it surfaces later when Canadian work experience is assessed for permanent residence.
| Authorised by | Conditions on the study permit itself |
|---|---|
| Hour limits | Set by IRCC, and changed more than once recently |
| Co-op or internship | Generally needs its own co-op work permit |
| Exceeding limits | A breach of status conditions, not a technicality |
| Full-time in scheduled breaks | Permitted in defined circumstances |
What an application on this route usually involves. Not a checklist that guarantees anything — IRCC sets the requirements, and they change.
Whether it fits you is what a consultation is for. This page cannot answer that and does not try to.
This rule has changed more than once. Advice from a student who arrived two years ago is frequently wrong now.
A required placement is work. Starting it on the study permit alone is unauthorised work.
Work rights attach to being an active full-time student. A leave of absence changes that.
When Canadian experience is later assessed for permanent residence, hours must be evidenced. Reconstructing them years afterwards is difficult.
IRCC sets the limit and has changed it more than once in recent years. Check the current rule and your own permit conditions rather than relying on what applied when someone else studied here.
Generally yes, where the placement is a required part of the program. It is applied for alongside the study permit and supported by the institution.
It is a breach of the conditions of your status. It can affect a permit extension, and it can affect how that period is treated when Canadian work experience is later assessed.
Full-time work during scheduled breaks is permitted in defined circumstances, with conditions around being a full-time student before and after the break.
That is the one question this page cannot answer. Start with the free assessment, then bring your situation to a consultation with the RCIC-IRB.
Start Your AssessmentBook a paid consultationThis page is general information. It is not an assessment of your eligibility, and nothing on it is immigration advice for consideration. Working While Studying matters at ZIMMR are advised on directly by Irshad Osman, RCIC-IRB.
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