Working in Canada as International Students

• Must have a valid study permit
• Must have a written statement on study permit that allows student to work off-campus
• Must hold a full-time student status
• Must be enrolled as a full-time student before and after the scheduled break

• Must have a valid study permit
• Must have a written statement on study permit that allows student to work off-campus
• Must hold a full-time student status
• Must have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Written work statements can include: 

• "May accept employment on campus of the institution at which registered in full-time studies"
• "May accept employment on or off-campus if meeting criteria per R186(f), (v), (w). Must cease working if no longer meeting criteria."

The Work/Study Programs give eligible undergraduate students paid, on-campus work that develops professional skills and contributes to the University. Enrich your classroom experiences and get support and tools needed to develop competencies that will contribute to your long-term personal and professional success. The information you will find in this section only applies if you're applying to the Work/Study Program. 

• Must have a valid study permit

• Study permit must include a condition stating

•  The summer term must be a "scheduled break" according to the program, meaning it is optional*
  • For most undergraduate programs, the summer term is option. If unsure, student should consult their academic advisor to confirm whether their summer term is optional or mandatory. They should also verify with immigration advisors at York regarding work eligibilty. 
•  Must have been a full-time student before the summer break and intend to return to full-time studies after the summer break

• On-campus work: No limit on the number of hours a student can work
• Off-campus work: Limited to 24 hours per week

What is considered Full-Time Status at York University?

• Undergraduate Students: At least 9 credits per term
• Graduate and School of Continuing Studies (SCS) students: Must confirm full-time status with their department

Scenario 1: Dropping a Course Before the End of Winter Term  

Situation: A student was enrolled in 9 credits during the Winter 2025 term but dropped a course before the term ended. They plan to return to full-time studies in the Fall term.  

Can they work in the summer? No.  

• Dropping a course before the term ends changes their status to part-time, making them ineligible to continue working for the remainder of the Winter term.
• They will also not be authorized to work in th eSummer term unless they are enrolled full-time in the summer.

Scenario 2: Planning a Leave of Absence or Less Than 9 Credits in Fall  

Situation: A student was full-time in Winter 2025 but plans to take a leave of absence in Fall or enroll in less than 9 credits. Fall is not their final term, and they will not take any summer courses.   Can they work in the summer? No.  

• To work in the summer, they must either be returning to full-time studies in the Fall or be enrolled full-time in the summer

• Must have a valid study permit 
• Must have a written statement on study permit that allows student to work off-campus 
• Must hold a full-time student status at a designated learning institution at the post-secondary level 
• Must be studying in an academic, vocational, or professional training program that leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate that is at least 6 months in duration 
• Must have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) 

• “May accept employment on campus of the institution at which registered in full-time studies” 
• “May accept employment on or off-campus if meeting criteria per R186(f), (v), (w). Must cease working if no longer meeting criteria.” 

• Must have a valid study permit
• Employment must be required to complete study program in Canada
• Must present letter certified by a responsible academic official of the institution
• Co-op placement or internship totals up to 50% or less of study program

You are encouraged to apply for a co-op work permit or extend your co-op permit within Canada. There is no cost required to submit co-op work applications. However, some applications require the completion of a medical exam, which may include additional costs in the application. The expiry date of your co-op work permit will usually match the expiry date of study permit.  

Research Assistant (RA) and Teaching Assistant (TA) roles not part of graduate programs do NOT require a co-op work permit.  

• "Would working in my co-op work placement remove my status as a student?"
  • Answer: No. You are still maintaining your full-time status at York University.
• "Will doing a co-op placement affect my ability to qualify for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP)?”
  • Answer: No. You are still considered as a student during the duration of your co-op placement.
• "Can I use my co-op work permit beyond the established time range approved by my program?” 
  • Answer: No. You can only use it for the duration approved by your co-op coordinator
• "Can I use my co-op work permit with an employer that was not approved by the institution I am in?” 
  • Answer: No. You can only work with the employer approved by your co-op coordinator.
• "What do I do if my study permit expires during my co-op term?”
  • Answer: You must apply for a new study permit and a co-op work permit extension before the expiry date. 

Upon the completion of your program at York, you may be eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). The eligibility requirements to apply for a PGWP are: 

• Completion of a program of study in Canada
• Must have continuously studied full-time in an academic program for more than 8 months
• Must have a valid study permit at the time of the application
• Must provide a graduation letter and official transcript

For detailed information on how to apply for the Post-Graduation Work Permit, please visit our Immigration Application Resources page. 

The length of your PGWP depends on the length of your program of study. Please refer to the IRCC webpage for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding PGWP eligibility and duration. 

York’s Career centre has the knowledge and the resources to prepare you professionally for your future career paths. They offer services such as: 

• Interview Preparation
• Effective use of of LinkedIn
• Networking Strategies
• Resume and Cover Letter Writting

Work/Study programs are on-campus opportunities for undergraduate students to get paid and engage with on-campus work. They develop professional skills and enable the ability to contribute to the York University’s community. More information on eligibility, the application process, number of available positions, and more can be found on this website.  

Volunteer opportunities can enhance your leadership skills and assist in the preparation of your professional development. Work is defined as an activiy for which wages are paid or comission is earned as per the IRCC.  

Some examples of volunteer opportunities at York include: 

•  York International volunteer opportunities 
•  Volunteering in student associations (found in YU Connect)

NOTE: If you work in Canada, you are required to file an annual income tax. More information on the instructions to file your taxes in Canada can be found on this link.

Job posting platforms are available on the Career Centre's website. The link can be found here. 

Volunteering in external community centres is a great way to engage with communities across the city. Some community centres are: 

• YMCA Toronto
• Toronto Public Library Volunteer Program
• Volunteer Toronto

COMMON RED FLAGS FOR JOB SCAMS 

• The job requires an upfront payment of a fee (for business plans, start up materials, software) or requires you to to recruit other people
• The "employer" requests for banking or personal information
• The "employer" claim to guarantee either a job or a certain level of income
• The "employer" offers a job as a "secret shopper" to test services of a company that cashes cheques or transfers money
• The "employer" sends a cheque now as an incentive or signing bonus, but there is a money-transfer to partially cover the cost

You can access this module to learn about how these scenarios are conducted in real life situations. 

•  Beware of claims of guaranteed income
•  Beware of upfront fees
•  Beware of urgency
•  Be cautious of request for personal information (address, birth date, SIN, credit card or bank information)
•  Conduct a thorough research on the offer and the employer's background information
•  Do NOT agree to cash a cheque – these can be fraudulent
•  Do NOT accept offers if details are not explicitly written
•  Do NOT sign documents without reading through them
• Do NOT be afraid to say no!

You can amend your study permit to include a statement if you fulfill eligibility requirements. You may request to amend your study permit here. Processing times can be found here.

Depending on the job, you may need to complete an Immigration Medical Exam (IME) with a panel physician. You can then apply to change the conditions of your study permit.

If you meet eligibility requirements for on-campus work, you may work as a TA or RA with no limit to the number of hours with your study permit.

You can find additional resources by contacting York International through email or phone. Information can be found on this website. For immigration-related questions, you can schedule an appointment to meet an International Student Advisor and Immigration Specialist at York International.