Working in Canada
Social Insurance Number
To work in Canada, you need a social insurance number (SIN). It is a nine-digit number you need to work and have access to government programs and benefits. You must have a valid study permit and meet work eligibility requirements to apply for a SIN.
Working while you study
You may work while you study, depending on your registration status and employment location. If you plan to work while you study, you do not need a work permit. However, your study permit should include remarks allowing you to work. It must state "May accept employment" or "May work." Eligible students are allowed to work up to 24 hours per week off-campus.
You may be able to work either on-campus and/or off-campus if you:
- Have a valid study permit with the remarks "May accept employment" or "May work"
- Are enrolled full-time in an academic, vocational, or professional training program that leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate
- Are studying in an eligible program
- You have started studying. You cannot work before you begin your full-time studies
- You have a social insurance number
Can I work while studying if I am a part-time student?
No, part-time international students cannot work on or off campus in Canada. If your registration status changes to part-time, or if you take a leave from studies or an authorized leave of absence, you must stop working immediately—both on and off campus.
Exception: If you are part-time only in your final term and you have previously studied full-time, you may continue working on and off campus, as long as you meet all other eligibility requirements.
Working On-Campus
On-campus work refers to employment facilities within the boundaries of the University of Alberta's campuses. You can work at locations outside campus boundaries (in this case, at a library, hospital, or research facility associated with your school) if:
- you are working as a teaching or research assistant and
- your work is strictly related to a research grant
Working Off-Campus
Many international students are eligible to work off-campus without a separate work permit. Eligible students are allowed to work up to 24 hours per week off-campus.
Undergraduate Students
If you are eligible to work during your final semester, you can continue to work 24 hours per week off campus until you receive the program completion letter. Once your completion letter is issued, you must stop working.
Your completion letter will not be automatically issued. You should request your completion letter once all your final grades are posted to your Beartracks account.
Graduate Students
If you are eligible to work during your final semester, you can continue to work 24 hours per week off campus until you receive an email from the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (FGPS) that confirms the completion of your program.
Your completion letter will not be automatically issued. You will need to submit the Completion Letter Request Form.
After completing your program, you may be eligible to work full-time. You need to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Understand the rules for transitioning from student to worker status.
- After program completion: If you apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), from inside of Canada, within 90 days of completing your program, while holding a valid study permit, you may work full-time after applying.
- If you do not apply for a PGWP, you must stop working off-campus as soon as you receive your completion letter.
- You may work part-time off-campus and full-time on-campus if you have completed the requirements for your program but have not yet received official confirmation of program completion (completion letter, final transcript).
- If you completed your program and you have a letter of acceptance for a new program of study, you may work full-time until the start of your new program or for up to 150 days.
Working On-Campus
Who can be your on-campus employer?
On-campus employers may include one or more of the following:
- The University of Alberta
- Faculty
- Student organization
- Yourself (if self-employed and operating on campus)
- Private business located on campus
- A private contractor providing services to the U of A
Can I work on campus?
You can work on campus without a work permit if you:
- Are a full-time student at the U of A
- Have a valid study permit with the remarks "May accept employment" or "May work"
- Have a Social Insurance Number (SIN).
You must stop working on campus if you no longer meet these requirements such as if you stop studying full-time or your study permit expires.
Where can I work on campus?
The University of Alberta has multiple campuses including North Campus, South Campus, Enterprise Square, Campus Saint-Jean, and Augustana Campus. You can work at all the buildings on your school campus where you’re studying in most cases.
How many hours can I work on campus?
There is no maximum limit on the number of hours you can work on campus. However, your work hours must comply with Alberta's provincial labour standards.
Can I work on campus during the academic break?
You are eligible to work during the regularly scheduled break if the following applies to you:
- were a full-time student in the term before your break
- and you will be a full-time student in the term after the break or a part-time student in the term after the break and it is your final semester of study
Working off Campus
Who is not eligible to work off-campus?
If you are enrolled in any of the following programs:
- English Language School
- French as a Second Language
- Academic Upgrading
- Programs that are shorter than 6 months
How many hours can I work?
- During academic terms: Up to 24 hours per week
- During regularly scheduled breaks: Full-time
understand your work eligibility
English Language School Students
- On campus: Eligible if enrolled full-time (9 credits or more) and have a valid study permit with work conditions.
- Off-campus: Not eligible as the program does not lead to a degree, diploma, or certificate.
Exchange and visiting students
- On campus and off-campus: Eligible if enrolled full-time, and have a valid study permit with work conditions.
Fresh Start and Special Students
- On campus: Eligible if enrolled full-time (9 credits or more) and have a valid study permit with work conditions.
- Off-campus: Not eligible as the program does not lead to a degree, diploma, or certificate.
Graduate Students
- On-campus: Eligible to work an unlimited number of hours per week if you have a valid study permit with work conditions
- Off-campus: Eligible to work 24 hours per week off-campus during regular academic terms.
Thesis-based graduate students are permitted to work 24 hours per week off-campus year-round and full-time during certain regularly scheduled breaks (reading breaks and winter break).
Course-based graduate students are permitted to work 24 hours a week off-campus during academic sessions and full-time during regularly scheduled breaks (reading breaks, winter break, and Spring and Summer may also be considered scheduled breaks for some course-based students - Check with your program for confirmation).
You can work remotely for an employer outside Canada as long as you still meet the conditions of your study permit. This type of work doesn’t count towards your 24 hours per week off-campus work limit.