Do you know a study permit in Canada allows you to do part-time jobs, which can help you earn an average base salary of CAD 48,332 annually? Canada, known for its welcoming attitude towards immigrants, offers a plethora of part-time job opportunities to support your financial needs as an international student. These part-time jobs also help you gain practical experience and immerse yourself in Canadian work culture even without a work permit. 

Apply Now: Bachelors of Business Administration (BBA) in Canada

The country offers you on-campus and off-campus part-time employment. However, you will have to meet the government criteria to work without a separate work permit in Canada. Hence, it’s important for Indian students to know the government regulations and eligibility requirements that they must fulfill while aspiring to work alongside their studies in Canada.

Government Regulations for Part-Time Jobs in Canada

The key Government regulation that applies to on and off-campus part-time jobs in Canada for international students includes a nine-digit Social Insurance Number, commonly known as SIN. It is provided to you by the Canada Government, granting you the government services and benefits allowing you to work in Canada. To apply for SIN in Canada, you must request Canada Service officials for an amendment to your study permit. You must have any one of the following conditions mentioned on your study permit:

1. Might accept an employment offer on or off-campus if the student is eligible, per paragraph R186 (f), (v), or (w), and the work can be ceased if the student is no longer eligible.
2. This permit does not grant the holder to participate in off-campus employment within Canada. It only allows for on-campus employment if the eligibility criteria outlined in R186(f) are met. If the criteria are no longer satisfied, the individual must discontinue working.
3. Might work 20 hours off-campus or full-time at the time of breaks if a student meets the criteria mentioned in paragraph 186 (v) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

On-Campus Part-time Jobs in Canada

On-campus, as the name suggests, involves working on the college or university campus. There might be a possibility for your institution to have more than one campus. In such cases, you can work only on the campus where you study. However, you can work at other campuses if you are working as a teaching staff or research assistant.

Working part-time on campus allows you to work for the school, student organization, faculty member, private business, or a private contractor providing on-campus services to the institution.

On-Campus Work hours

International students find on-campus part-time jobs more convenient, as it saves their traveling costs and time. Also, there is no limit to the number of hours you want to work on campus, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.

On-Campus Eligibility Criteria

You must meet the following eligibility criteria to work on-campus at your school without a work permit:

• Must have a valid study permit.
• Must have a Social Insurance Number (SIN).
• Must be a full-time post-secondary student at any of the following:
  • Public post-secondary school in Quebec.
  • Private post-secondary schools operating under the same rules as public schools in Quebec.
  • Whether private or public, a secondary or post-secondary institution in Quebec providing programs of 900 hours or more that lead to a gain of an attestation of vocational specialization (AVS) or a diploma of vocational studies (DVS).
  • A Canadian private school has the legal authority to grant degrees as per provincial law. Still, it only applies to students enrolled in a degree program authorized by the province. It's important to note that not all programs the private institution offers may fall under this authorization.

Read More: Settle in Canada from India

On-Campus Job Profiles and Wages

Following are a few of the best on-campus part-time job profiles and their respective wages in Canada:

*Source: Payscale

Off-Campus Part-time Jobs in Canada

Part-time off-campus jobs allow you to work for employers outside your school, which includes working in restaurants, cafes, stores, someone’s house, or any organization. You are only allowed to work off-campus without a work permit if your study permit clearly mentions your eligibility for it. Hence, you do not require a separate work permit.

Off-Campus Work Hours

During regular semesters and terms you are allowed to work for 20 hours a week. At the same time, you can work full-time during the summer and winter holidays or a spring or fall reading week. You can also work overtime or even take 2 part-time jobs at a time that adds more than the usual number of hours and you would also be able to earn for your cost of living in Canada.

Read More: Everything about SOP for Canada

How to Change the Conditions on the Study Permit?

You’ll have to apply for a new study permit in Canada. While applying online, the checklist will include extending your stay, applying to change conditions, or staying in Canada. On the application form, you need to tick the box that states “apply for a study permit for the first time or extend my study permit” and fill out all the details. 

You will also have to write a letter stating, ‘why do you need to remove the conditions from the permit?’

How to Find a Part-Time Job in Canada for International Students

Following are several resources that can help you find a part-time job in Canada:

• Social Media Platforms: Many online social media platforms are available that advertise part-time job opportunities in Canada. Some popular platforms include LinkedIn, Facebook, and Telegram, showcasing the organization's and employer's requirements for hiring a part-time employee.
• Job Portals: Numerous online job portal apps and websites specialize in promoting part-time job opportunities in Canada. Some popular platforms include Indeed.ca, Monster.ca, Glassdoor, and Workopolis. You can create profiles on these platforms, upload your resume, and search for part-time job listings in Canada.
• Networking: Networking is an effective strategy for discovering job prospects. Informing your friends, family, and acquaintances about your job search can be beneficial. Additionally, you can establish connections and expand your professional network by actively participating in networking events and industry conferences for job opportunities.
• Job Fairs and Career Events: Job fairs and career events are excellent opportunities to connect with potential employers directly. You can research and attend local job fairs or career expos that cater to part-time employment. Always attend these events by dressing professionally, bringing copies of your resume, and being prepared to engage with employers.

Read More: Cost of Studying in Canada for international students

Tips for the Students to Work and Study in Canada

1) Make sure to be specific while writing about your qualities, experience, skills, and knowledge in the job application form. You can also add a reference to your resume.

2) At the time of the interview, make a good impression, pay attention to what they are saying, and show some interest in collaborating in the future.

3) Choose your job wisely, as it can severely impact your job in the future. Try to look for a job that is related to what you are studying.

4) After completing graduation, you can apply for a post-graduation work permit where you can work for three years. While applying, make sure to have a valid study permit and apply within three months of the release of your final grades.

Best Part-Time Jobs in Canada for Indian Students 

Certain part-time jobs with minimum wages in Canada for international students offer the best wages, and you only need to work on weekends or some evenings. The best thing is that you might find a job related to your field better for your future.

The following are the high-paid jobs for students studying in Canada:

1) Tutor (CAD 15 to CAD 34/hour) 

Do you enjoy teaching others? If the answer is yes, tutoring is perfect for you. You can give tuition to students in elementary school, college-level, or anywhere in between.

2) Assistant Teacher (CAD 14 to CAD 26/hour)

Various professors and schools hire assistants to help them with different tasks throughout the term. Tasks include helping students, updating paperwork, creating lessons, and student upgrades. It is required for the applicant to have completed a year of college, should have experience in the course, and have great skills.

3) Freelancer (CAD 15 to CAD 95/hour)

A freelancer can be anyone like a web designer, writer, graphic designer, etc. Freelancing can be done in every industry. If the industry is creative, you will be offered great compensation. 

4) Salesperson (CAD 13 to CAD 22/hour)

If you are good at convincing people, this is the job for you that offers the best per-hour wages in Canada for international students. Income entirely depends on where you work. Sell more and make more.

5) Babysitter (CAD 10 to CAD 17/hour)

Babysitter/nanny is another job suitable for international part-time workers in Canada. 

6) Housekeeper (CAD 14 to CAD 22/hour)

A house manager is responsible for handling the daily operations of a house as per the homeowner’s needs.

*Source: Payscale

Read More: Best countries to study abroad for Indian students

Minimum Wages for International Students in Canada

It is important to know what the minimum wage is for your province of residence so that you do not accept jobs that are not rewarding the same. Minimum wages in Canada are defined differently by each province. Here are the recent provincial minimum wages in Canada-

*Source: Retail Council of Canada

Income Taxes in Canada for International Students

Most international students submit an income tax form to the government to receive tax credits. International students may have to pay Canadian income tax on income earned from teaching and/or research assistantships, other employment, and investment and business income. 

Study in Canada with upGrad Abroad

upGrad Abroad has collaborated with some of the top Canadian universities to offer cost-effective, blended courses that help students save up to 1/5th of the education cost while earning a foreign degree. To know more, get in touch with our counsellors.