Download the Student Handout information sheet for Off-Campus Work here.

If you are a returning international student and you wish to book an appointment with an International Student Advisor regarding immigration matters, etc. please use our appointment booking link to book a virtual meeting or face-to-face meeting.

International students may be eligible to work on and off-campus without a work permit. The study permit can authorize you to work if you meet certain criteria.
Please note: students may only start working in Canada once they start a Program of study.

Find information about off-campus work eligibility, requirements, conditions for work, and more on the IRCC website.

Most Up-to-Date Information

Information on this page has been reviewed by Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCIC) and Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIA) in compliance with the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Please be aware that this is not a legal document and information may sometimes change without notice. For the most up-to-date information about Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) please refer to the IRCC website at: canada.ca/immigration or call 1-888-242-2100.

It is the international student’s responsibility to know the rules and regulations that apply to their status in Canada.

Important

As of November 8, 2024, IRCC has announced that international students who meet all off-campus work eligibility requirements can now work up to 24 hours per week off campus while their classes are in session. This is an increase from the previous 20 hours per week.

Eligibility Requirements

Algonquin College international students can work off-campus without a permit, provided that all of the following statements are true:

  • they hold a valid study permit
  • they are full-time students enrolled in an academic program at Algonquin College
  • the program of study is at least 6 months in duration and leads to a degree, diploma or certificate
  • they hold a Social Insurance Number (SIN), the Canadian identification number required to work
  • they have started studying

Note: The eligibility requirements for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) differ from off-campus work eligibility requirements.

Maximum Working Hours Permitted

During Academic Sessions

Circumstance Off-Campus Work Eligibility Further Details
During Academic Sessions Up to 24 hours per week Students must wait to work until they have started their
program of study. Students must maintain their full-time student status to remain eligible to work.
Full-time students with a part-time course load only in their final academic session Up to 24 hours per week Students who have maintained full-time status for the
duration of their program of study, and who only require a part-time course load in their final academic session to complete their program of study, are eligible to work.
While Working On-Campus Up to 24 hours per week There are no restrictions on the number of hours students can work on-campus in addition to working off-campus, provided they continue to meet the eligibility requirements.

 

During Breaks
The hours an international student can work change when the student takes a break from studies.

A regularly scheduled break is part of Algonquin College’s academic calendar (for instance, winter and summer holidays, Reading Week). The full IRCC definition is available here. Use Algonquin College’s Academic Calendar to learn about start and end dates, as well as mid-term break dates.

Type of Break Off-Campus Work Eligibility Further Details
Regularly scheduled break Full-time hours Students must hold full-time status during the academic sessions before and after their scheduled break to be
eligible for full-time work during the regularly scheduled break. Students who choose to undertake coursework during a regularly scheduled break are still eligible to work on a full-time basis.
Unscheduled Break/Students who create their own break You are NOT eligible to work on or off-campus If a student creates their own break in a program, it is
considered a leave from studies, rather than a regularly scheduled break.
Authorized Leave You are NOT eligible to work on or off-campus Authorized leave refers to circumstances where you are authorized by Algonquin College to take a leave of up to a maximum of 150 days from your program of studies and still be considered to be actively pursuing your studies.
Your program does not have a scheduled break Up to 24 hours per week Students with no scheduled break may work up to
24 hours per week off-campus for the duration of the
program of study.

 

After Completing Studies

Students who complete their studies at Algonquin College may be eligible to do some work after completing their final program requirements if their study permit remains valid. Full details are available from the IRCC under ‘Off-Campus Work and completion of a program of studies’.

Type of Completion Off-Campus Work Eligibility Further Details
Students who have completed their program of study and are waiting for their graduated status in ACSIS. Up to 24 hours per week Eligible students can work after completing their final
program requirements and before they receive a graduated status on their ACSIS account. Once the graduated status is confirmed, students must stop working until they submit their Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) application.

Once submitted, eligible students, can work full-time while their PGWP application is in process.
Between two academic, full-time programs Full-time hours Students must receive written confirmation of program completion from their first program and be accepted into the second program. Time in between academic programs should not exceed 150 days. Full eligibility details are available through the IRCC website.

 

International Education Centre (IEC)

The IEC is located in room C021. Our on-campus services are by appointment only. Current international students can use our appointment booking link to book a virtual meeting or face-to-face meeting with an International Student Advisor. You may also wish to visit our events calendar to register for upcoming immigration workshops and more.

Work Hours
Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 pm (excluding holidays – unless otherwise specified)