International students in Canada can work up to 24 hours per week off campus during an academic session, and full time during scheduled breaks. You do not need a separate work permit to work off campus if your study permit allows it and you meet the conditions. This guide explains the hour limits, who qualifies, and the mistakes that put your study permit at risk.
As of June 21, 2026.
How many hours can international students work off campus in Canada?
Eligible international students can work up to 24 hours per week off campus while their academic session is in progress. This limit became permanent in November 2024, replacing the previous 20-hour cap. The 24 hours is a hard weekly ceiling, not an average, so you cannot work 10 hours one week and 38 the next to balance it out. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) treats any week above 24 hours as a breach of your study permit conditions. During scheduled school breaks, such as the summer or winter holidays, you can work more than 24 hours and even full time. IRCC sets out the rule on its work off campus page.
| Period | Off-campus hours allowed |
|---|
| Regular academic session | Up to 24 hours per week |
| Scheduled break (summer, winter holidays) | Full time, no weekly limit |
| Before your program starts | Not allowed |
| During an authorized leave from studies | Not allowed |
Who is eligible to work off campus without a work permit?
You can work off campus without a separate work permit only if you meet every condition IRCC sets. You must be a full-time student at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), enrolled in a post-secondary academic, vocational, or professional program that is at least six months long and leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate. Your studies must have already started, your study permit must state that you are allowed to work off campus, and you must have a Social Insurance Number (SIN). If any one of these conditions is missing, you cannot work off campus on your study permit alone.
Can you work full time during scheduled breaks?
Yes. During a scheduled break in your program, such as the summer holiday or the winter break, you can work unlimited hours off campus, including full time. The break must be a real scheduled break in your study calendar, you must be a full-time student before and after it, and you must be returning to studies afterward. You cannot treat your final term or a personal gap as a break. If you take an authorized leave from your studies, that is not a break, and you cannot work at all during it.
What happens if you work more than 24 hours a week?
Working more than 24 hours per week off campus during an academic session breaks the conditions of your study permit. The consequences are serious. IRCC can find you non-compliant, which can lead to the loss of your student status, a refusal of a future study permit or work permit, a refused Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), and in some cases a requirement to leave Canada. Officers can cross-check your hours against tax records and your employer's payroll. The record does not forgive an honest mistake, so track your hours carefully and keep them under the limit every single week.
Can you work on campus and off campus at the same time?
Yes, but the 24-hour weekly limit still applies to your off-campus hours. On-campus work has no set hour limit under IRCC rules, so a student can hold an on-campus job and an off-campus job at the same time. Only the off-campus hours count toward the 24-hour weekly cap. If you work both, count only the off-campus portion against the limit, and make sure your study permit authorizes off-campus work before you take an outside job.
Do you still need a co-op work permit in 2026?
In many cases, no. As of April 1, 2026, post-secondary international students no longer need a separate co-op work permit for a required work placement, as long as the placement is 50% or less of the total program hours, a change IRCC explains on its work as an international student page. If your placement is larger than that, or you are in a program type that is not covered, you still need a co-op work permit. A required placement is authorized separately, so its hours do not count against the 24-hour off-campus limit. We cover this in our guide on the co-op work permit change.
When can you start working as an international student?
You can only start working on or after the first day your study program begins, as set out in IRCC's off-campus work conditions. You cannot work before your program start date, even if you already have your study permit, your SIN, and a job offer. Working early is one of the most common ways students breach their conditions in their first weeks in Canada. Your right to work also ends if you stop studying full time, switch to part-time without an approved reason, or finish your program, so confirm your status before you keep working after a program ends.
How do you stay compliant with your work hours?
Track every off-campus hour by week, never cross 24 hours during a session, and only work full time during a genuine scheduled break. Keep your study permit handy so you can confirm it authorizes off-campus work, and keep proof of your enrolment and your work schedule. If your hours, your enrolment, or a leave creates any doubt, speak to a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) before it shows up on a future application. A clean compliance record protects your study permit, your PGWP, and your path to permanent residence.
Go Far Global is a licensed RCIC firm in Toronto, and our consultants help international students protect their status every week.
Frequently asked questions
Can I work 40 hours a week as an international student in Canada?
Only during a scheduled break. During a regular academic session, the off-campus limit is 24 hours per week, and working 40 hours would breach your study permit. During the summer or winter break, you can work full time, including 40 hours or more, as long as you are a full-time student before and after the break.
What are the new work rules for international students in Canada in 2026?
The off-campus limit is 24 hours per week during academic sessions, made permanent in November 2024. As of April 1, 2026, post-secondary students no longer need a co-op work permit for a required placement that is 50% or less of program hours. The basic eligibility rules still apply: full-time enrolment, a qualifying program, a started program, and a Social Insurance Number.
Can international students work unlimited hours during breaks?
Yes. During a scheduled break in your study program, eligible international students can work unlimited hours off campus, including full time. You must be a full-time student before and after the break and be returning to studies, and the break must be a scheduled one in your academic calendar.
Do off-campus hours include on-campus or co-op work?
No. The 24-hour weekly limit applies only to off-campus work. On-campus work has no set hour limit, and a required co-op or internship placement is authorized separately, so neither counts toward your off-campus 24 hours.
Can I average my work hours across weeks?
No. The 24-hour limit is a hard ceiling for each week during a session. You cannot average hours, so working fewer hours one week does not let you work more than 24 the next. Every week must stay at or under 24 hours.
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Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Immigration laws and policies change frequently. Each case is unique and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) before making immigration decisions.
