International students holding a valid Canadian study permit may be authorized to work in Canada — either on campus without any additional authorization, or off campus subject to specific conditions and limits. The rules governing student work in Canada were significantly updated by regulations that took effect in November 2024, establishing a limit of 24 hours per week off-campus during academic sessions. Students may work full-time during scheduled breaks within specified limits. Students whose program includes a mandatory work component — such as a co-op placement or internship — must obtain a separate co-op work permit. This page covers on-campus work, off-campus work conditions, co-op and work placement permits, and the eligibility requirements that determine whether a student is authorized to work at all.

For current rules, eligibility verification, and application information, refer to the IRCC working in Canada as an international student page and the IRCC off-campus work page.

• Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), s 186(f) — work permit exemption for off-campus student workers who meet specified conditions
• IRPR, s 186(v) — work permit exemption for on-campus work at the institution where the student is enrolled
• IRPR, s 205(c)(ii) — LMIA-exempt work permit for co-op and work placement programs
• November 2024 International Student Program regulations — established the 24-hour weekly off-campus work limit and current break rules
• IRCC: Work off campus as an international student — canada.ca/student-work-off-campus
• IRCC: Work in a student work placement — canada.ca/student-coop-permit
• IRCC: New ISP regulations — November 2024 — canada.ca/isp-regulations-2024

On-campus work — no separate authorization needed

International students with a valid study permit are generally permitted to work on campus at the institution where they are enrolled without obtaining a separate work permit. On-campus work is authorized under IRPR s.186(v) and does not require an LMIA or employer offer filed through the IRCC Employer Portal. Key points:

• The work must be at the institution where the student is enrolled — not at a different campus or institution
• On-campus work includes employment directly at the institution (cafeteria, library, administrative roles) and work for on-campus businesses that primarily serve the student population
• No additional permit is required — the study permit itself authorizes on-campus work
• The student must remain enrolled and in full-time studies to maintain this authorization

Off-campus work — 24-hour weekly limit during academic sessions

Under the November 2024 regulations, eligible study permit holders may work off campus without a separate work permit, subject to the following limits:

• A maximum of 24 hours per week off campus during scheduled academic sessions
• Working more than 24 hours per week during an academic session is a violation of the study permit conditions — it can result in loss of student status and affect future immigration applications
• The 24-hour limit applies to total off-campus hours worked across all employers — it is not per employer

Historical context — prior rules

Before November 2024: the off-campus limit was 20 hours per week. A temporary public policy introduced in November 2022 lifted the 20-hour limit entirely, allowing unlimited off-campus hours during sessions; this policy was extended and then replaced when the November 2024 regulations codified the 24-hour limit. Students and employers should rely on the current 24-hour limit, not prior temporary policies.

Scheduled breaks — full-time work permitted

During scheduled breaks from studies (summer holidays, winter holidays, reading weeks), eligible students may work full-time — more than 24 hours per week — off campus. However, there are limits on extended break periods:

• If a scheduled break exceeds 150 consecutive days, the student may work unlimited hours for the first 150 consecutive days only — not for the entire extended break
• Across the full calendar year, a student may work unlimited hours for a maximum of 180 days total — tracking the aggregate of all scheduled breaks
• The student must have classes before and after the break — students who have completed their program and are no longer enrolled do not qualify for this break work authorization

Eligibility conditions for off-campus work

Off-campus work authorization under IRPR s.186(f) requires the student to meet all of the following:

• Hold a valid study permit that authorizes work (the permit may contain a condition — if it says "may not work" or "no work authorized," the student cannot work off campus)
• Be enrolled full-time at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) that is eligible to host international students who work off campus
• Be enrolled in a post-secondary academic, vocational, or professional training program (or a secondary-level vocational training program in Quebec) that is at least 6 months in duration and leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate
• Maintain satisfactory academic standing

If any of these conditions is not met — for example, if the student drops to part-time enrolment, or if the DLI loses its designation — the student loses the off-campus work authorization for the period that the condition is not satisfied.

DLI eligibility — post-2024 changes

Following the 2024 international student cap measures, not all DLIs may authorize international students to work off campus. The IRCC DLI eligibility list should be consulted before relying on off-campus work authorization — the list of eligible institutions has been subject to change. For the current list of DLIs and their eligibility status, refer to the IRCC DLI list page.

Co-op and work placement permits

Many post-secondary programs include a mandatory work component — a co-op placement, internship, or work-integrated learning experience that is required to complete the credential. This type of work is separate from regular off-campus work and requires a dedicated co-op work permit. Key requirements:

• The co-op or work placement must be a mandatory requirement of the program — it cannot be an optional elective
• The co-op component must account for less than 50% of the total program — programs where work exceeds 50% do not qualify for the co-op work permit exemption
• The student must hold a valid study permit in addition to the co-op work permit
• The co-op work permit is LMIA-exempt under IRPR s.205(c)(ii) — no LMIA is required for the employer
• The co-op work permit specifies the employer and/or industry and duration consistent with the placement

For the application process and current requirements, refer to the IRCC student work placement page.

Transition to PGWP after graduation

On completing a program at an eligible DLI, students who have studied in Canada for at least 8 months may be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) — an open work permit valid for up to 3 years (for programs of 2+ years). The PGWP is a separate application and not a continuation of student work authorization — refer to the PGWP page for eligibility criteria and the 2024 rule changes that affected PGWP eligibility for certain program levels.

The November 2024 International Student Program regulations brought significant structural changes to student work authorization in Canada — moving from a 20-hour limit (and a period of unlimited hours under a temporary policy) to a codified 24-hour limit during academic sessions. Students who relied on the temporary unlimited-hours policy for financial planning need to adjust to the current 24-hour cap. The interaction between the DLI eligibility restrictions (introduced as part of the 2024 international student cap) and off-campus work authorization means that students should verify their DLI's current status before assuming off-campus work rights. Co-op programs remain an important pathway for international students to gain Canadian work experience during studies, but the mandatory and sub-50% requirements mean not all industry placements qualify. For the current rules on off-campus work, the DLI eligibility list, and co-op work permit applications, refer to the IRCC student work page.