While on a student visa in Canada, study permit holders can work up to 20 hours per week during regular school terms/semesters. You can work more than 1 job to make up these hours as long as you continue to meet the conditions of your study permit.

You can work full-time if you’re on a scheduled break, such as winter and summer holidays, or a fall or spring reading week. You’re free to work overtime or work 2 part-time jobs that add up to a higher than usual number of hours. You must be a full-time student both before and after the break to work full-time. You can’t work during a break that comes before you start your very first school semester.

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As an international student, upon graduation, you have an opportunity to work in Canada for up to three years. You will need to apply for work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP). You don’t need a job offer to apply and can work anywhere in Canada in any occupation, even if it’s unrelated to your studies.

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Your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for an open work permit if you have a valid study permit:

• are eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) and

• are a full-time student at one of these types of schools

• a public post-secondary school, such as a college or university, or CEGEP in Quebec

• a private college-level school in Quebec

• a Canadian private school that can legally award degrees under provincial law (for example, Bachelors, Masters or Doctorate degree)