How Many Hours Can a Student Work in Canada? (2026 Rules Explained)

If you're an international student in Canada trying to figure out how many hours you're actually allowed to work — the answer changed in late 2024, and a lot of information online is still outdated. Here's what the rules say right now.

How many hours can a student work in Canada off-campus?

As of November 8, 2024, eligible international students are allowed to work off campus up to 24 hours per week without a work permit. Canada.ca This replaced the previous 20-hour cap and has since been confirmed as a permanent rule — it applies in 2026 and beyond.

One thing worth knowing: if your current study permit still says you may only work 20 hours per week off campus, you are still allowed to work up to 24 hours per week, as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements. The permit wording hasn't been updated for everyone — the new limit applies regardless.

You can work more than one job to make up these hours, as long as you continue to meet the conditions of your study permit. And hours are defined broadly: any time you spend earning wages or collecting a commission counts — even if you're on call but not actively working. That includes self-employed work like food delivery or ridesharing.

What About Working During School Breaks?

The 24-hour cap only applies while your academic term is in session. During school breaks — winter holidays, summer vacations, or reading weeks — you can work full-time without hourly restrictions and take on multiple jobs.

The key condition: to work full-time during breaks, you must be a full-time student both before and after the break. If you drop out or don't return to your program, the right to work disappears with it.

Can foreign students work on campus in Canada?

Yes — and the rules here are more flexible. On-campus work is unlimited for full-time students at designated learning institutions — no separate permit needed, as long as you maintain your study permit conditions. 

On-campus employers include businesses physically located on your school's grounds, student associations, and certain contracted services. You can combine on-campus unlimited hours with up to 24 hours per week off campus. If an employer isn't covered by the on-campus definition, off-campus rules apply.

Can international students work more than 24 hours in Canada?

Not during an academic session — not without separate authorization. The 24-hour cap applies to your total hours across all employers combined. Working more than 24 hours per week is a violation of your study permit conditions. You can lose your student status, may not be approved for a study or work permit in the future, and may also have to leave the country. There are a few legitimate exceptions:

• Co-op or internship students whose program requires work experience can apply for a co-op work permit, which allows full-time work separately from the study permit.

• Students in their last semester who don't need a full course load to complete their program can still qualify for off-campus work under the same conditions. 

• Remote work for an employer outside Canada doesn't count toward the 24-hour weekly limit, as long as you still meet your study permit conditions overall.

What You Need to Legally Work as a Foreign Student in Canada

Before you start any job, check three things:

1. Your study permit conditions. Your permit should include wording authorizing off-campus work. If you're eligible for off-campus work but the condition isn't on your permit, you can request it be added — there's no fee.

2. Your school's DLI status. You must be enrolled full-time at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in a program of at least six months that leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate. You're not eligible to work off campus without a work permit if your program is ESL/FSL, a general interest course, or a prerequisite course required for admission into a full-time program. 

3. A Social Insurance Number (SIN). Apply online for a permit amendment first (no fee), then get your SIN from Service Canada. You need the SIN before any employer can legally pay you.

A Practical Note for Students Arriving in Montreal

Figuring out housing is often the first real stressor when you land in a new country. Finding an apartment, signing a lease without a credit history, and navigating French-language paperwork — all while starting school and looking for a job — is a lot to handle at once.

For students or new arrivals who need a stable base while they get settled, Montreal Aparthotel offers fully furnished apartments available from 31 nights, with no long-term lease and no commission. Every unit comes with Wi-Fi, a fully equipped kitchen, washer/dryer, and air conditioning — most near a metro station. A practical option for anyone who needs a clean, move-in ready space without the usual rental paperwork hurdles.