How to Work Longer Hours as a Student in Canada

Have you thought of devising a clever way to work more than the stipulated hours as a student abroad?

Maybe, you have decided to learn a craft before relocating abroad as a student to help you make more money. If you are coming to Canada, you may not have to struggle to make ends meet as an International student.

Canada has allowed Nigerians and other international students with off-campus work authorization on their study permit to work more than twenty hours per week while classes are in session.

Here is what Pay4Me has to say about:

Why Have Canada Allowed Students to Work More?

The country is facing a job shortage and needs international students to help fill the job gaps. In addition, historical standards have a low unemployment rate, meaning the country needs more people in its workplaces. 

The initial work rule is that international students can only work at least 20 hours a week if they have permission to work off-campus during their studies. However, you can decide when to stop working during the summer and winter holidays.

From November 15, 2022, until December 31, 2023, international students in Canada with a study permit that allows the current 20-hour-per-week rule will not restrict off-campus work authorization during academic sessions.

Requirements:

·         You have received your study permit

·         You have gotten approval for your study permit, but you are still in Nigeria

·         You submitted your study permit application before October 7, 2022, and are yet to get approval

Who can work off campus?

If an international student begins working off campus without the requirements, the person may have to leave Canada. The study permit defines where you work as a student, and If you’re eligible for off-campus work, you don’t require a work permit.

Eligibility requirements:

• you’re a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI)
• you’re enrolled in
   
  • a post-secondary academic, vocational or professional training program or
•  
  • a secondary-level vocational training program (Quebec only)
•  
• your study program
   
  • is at least six months long and
•  
  • leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate
•  
• you’ve started studying
• you have a Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Other Conditions

1.    International students switching schools or on authorized leave from their studies and not studying can’t work off campus. 

2.    Part-time students can work off campus only if they meet all of the requirements above, except the full-time student requirement.

Social Insurance Number to work in Canada

A social insurance number, or SIN, is a nine-digit number that the Government of Canada gives you. Before you apply for a SIN to enable you to work off campus, you need at least one of the following on your study permit:

• May work 20 hours per week off campus or full-time during regular breaks if meeting criteria outlined in paragraph 186(v) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
• May accept employment on or off campus if meeting eligibility criteria, per paragraph R186(f), (v), or (w), and must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.

What if I don't meet the off-campus work conditions?

You can ask to have these conditions added if you’re eligible to work off campus. 

You can request an amendment to your study permit before applying for a SIN from Service Canada.

What will happen if I work more than 20 hours as an international student?

As an international student, You can work up to 20 hours per week. However, you violated the study permit conditions if you work more than 20 hours per week. 

When this happens, you lose your student status and may get rejected when you apply for this type of work permit. At worse, you can end up leaving the country.

How do I calculate my work hours?

Hours are defined as any time you spend earning wages or collecting a commission, even if you're on call during these hours and not working.

• Proving that you’re complying with the conditions of your study permit
   
  • To do this, you must show that you’re
     
    • actively pursuing your studies
  •  
    • not working more than 20 hours per week
  •  
    • meeting any other conditions listed on your study permit

Self-employed students

Self-employed persons must keep track of the hours they work off campus and prove that they comply with the conditions of their study permit.

Hours are calculated as any time you spend doing any of the following:

• earning wages
• being paid wages for performing a service or selling a product
• collecting a commission for performing a service or selling a product

However, you can’t work off campus without a work permit if :

• your study permit says you aren't authorized to work off-campus while you study
• you’re only enrolled in an English or French as a second language (ESL/FSL) program
• you’re only taking general interest courses
• you’re only taking courses required to be accepted into a full-time program
• your situation changes, and you no longer meet all of the requirements to work off campus

If any of these situations apply to you, and you want to work while studying in Canada, you must apply for a work permit.

Can you start working before your course begins? 

Although your study permit allows you to work in Canada, it does not let you start working except when your study programme begins.

Are you ready to study in Canada? Pay4Me can help you with student loans to Canada or the United States. In addition, you can enjoy a seamless cross-border payment when you pay your SEVIS, WES, application, or tuition fees on the app.