Alternative part-time job options: on-campus employment
In Canada, on-campus employment is the most direct and straightforward way for international students to gain work experience and opportunities. Following nearly two years of labour market restructuring and the global economic impact in the post-COVID era, many international students who studied in Canada during the pandemic graduated and obtained post-graduation work permits, choosing to stay in Canada. The relaxed work permit policies attracted more individuals to Canada, leading employers to set higher standards, especially requiring work experiences within Canada. Moreover, as tuition fees of insternational students are not regulated and living expenses continue to rise, even families that can cover these costs often see students needing to work to manage additional expenses. In this context, on-campus jobs have become an essential assistance and an ideal starting point for international students in Canada.
Let’s now focus on students holding only a study permit. According to a January 9, 2024 announcement by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the right of study permit holders to work in Canada is regulated under the June 19, 2024 revision of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (SOR/2002-227), specifically sections 186(f), (v), and (w). Section (f) stipulates that an international student must be a full-time student, while section (v) requires that an international student be enrolled in a full-time program at a designated learning institution. International students meeting these criteria can work unlimited hours on campus. Moreover, international students in their final semester, even if not taking a full course load, can also work unlimited hours on campus. The January 9, 2024 announcement further specifies conditions for off-campus work exceeding the statutory limit, such as work required by the curriculum or related to research projects, including work at hospitals, libraries, and other locations.
On-campus jobs are defined as positions where the employer is an office, a faculty, a department, or else divisions within the school which an international student attends, and the work is performed on campus. Practically, this includes roles like assistants in various school departments, known as Work & Study, similar to part-time student positions in Taiwan. Although the employing units may differ, the payment is still issued by the school, and in some cases, employees can enjoy certain staff benefits, such as access to school facilities and equipment. For senior or graduate students, there are opportunities to work as Research Assistants (RA), Teaching Assistants (TA), or sessional instructors, which can directly aid in future applications for permanent resident status in Canada.
Furthermore, on-campus work may involve positions at school-contracted external vendors, such as campus dining services, janitorial staff, security personnel, gyms, fast food outlets, and alumni associations. It is crucial to note that most schools do not permit commercial activities on campus by entities other than authorized or contracted external vendors. Violations may result in administrative penalties or expulsion. Thus, students should avoid working for external businesses and using campus as a work location to circumvent immigration regulations regarding student employment. Employment with unauthorized external vendors on campus could lead to disciplinary actions and, if it exceeds the allowable off-campus work hours, may constitute illegal employment, potentially affecting future study permit renewals, work permits, or permanent resident applications.
Moreover, the IRCC’s January 9, 2024 announcement outlines specific provisions for student permit holders working beyond the allowed off-campus hours. If employed as an RA or TA and working or conducting research off-campus, students may work unlimited hours, provided the work is connected to the school or affiliated institutions, such as attached teaching clinics, affiliated teaching hospitals, or third-party medical or research facilities managed by the school. If these roles are part of mandatory course requirements, students should consult their academic advisor or relevant department to arrange a Co-op or Practicum work permit to avoid delays in graduation.
In summary, on-campus work in Canada provides international students with valuable work experience and helps alleviate financial pressure. These experiences not only enhance students’ competitiveness in the job market but also facilitate their integration into Canadian society and the workplace. On-campus employment is a significant aspect of student life in Canada, serving as a stepping stone toward a better future.
(This information applies to international students who are not studying language programs and are not enrolled in language schools. The above content may not apply to students residing in Quebec. If you meet one of these conditions and still wish to work, please consult your school’s international student office, an immigration lawyer, or a licensed immigration consultant before you start working.)
