Maple News reports that international students in Canada now have legal options to work unlimited hours during academic sessions—but only under specific conditions.
As a general rule, students holding a valid Canadian study permit are permitted to work off-campus for a maximum of 24 hours per week while school is in session. However, two notable exceptions allow students to exceed this limit: on-campus employment and freelancing for international clients.
On-campus jobs offer unrestricted working hours for international students, even during academic semesters. Valid on-campus employers include the educational institution itself, faculty members, student organizations, private businesses located on campus, and even the student’s own business—provided it is physically operated on campus.
The definition of on-campus work is straightforward. It encompasses any employment within the buildings or property owned by the student’s institution. While students typically must work on the campus where they are enrolled full-time, exceptions exist depending on institutional policies.
The second route for unlimited work involves freelancing for foreign clients, which does not fall under Canadian labor regulations. As long as students are offering services to clients located outside Canada and are paid from abroad, there is no restriction on the number of hours they can work. This pathway has become increasingly popular with the rise of remote work and gig economy platforms.
In addition, students are permitted to work unlimited hours for any employer during designated academic breaks. These breaks must be pre-scheduled by the institution and last at least seven consecutive days, with a total cap of 150 days of break time recognized annually.
According to Maple News, these exceptions present valuable opportunities for students to gain experience and supplement their income while studying in Canada. However, it remains essential that students ensure their work activities align with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regulations to maintain compliance with their study permit conditions.
Understanding these allowances can help international students maximize both educational and career opportunities during their time in Canada.