Canada is a top ranking destination for international students. It houses some of the most sought-after universities in the world and offers a unique student life experience.
Studying in Canada is also a major route for international students looking to settle in Canada long term.
Personal Finance is a Top Priority for International Students in Canada
On top of tuition, international students must consider other essentials such as textbooks, housing, groceries, and transportation.
Fortunately, international students have the option of working in Canada if they are enrolled in a program of study at a post-secondary Designated Learning Institution (DLI). No separate work permit is required. The program of study must exceed six months in length and lead to a professional certification.
2023: Top Jobs in Canada for International Students
Explore the top career opportunities in Canada for international students with our informative video guide! As of November 15, 2022, international students may work an unlimited number of hours during the school semester through the end of 2023. Discover the top 5 in-demand jobs, valuable Canadian job market insights, essential job search tools and salaries, important factors regarding working conditions, and immigration considerations.
International students can work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full time during scheduled academic breaks such as reading weeks or summer holidays, provided they return to full-time studies.
International students are allowed to hold more than one job while studying in Canada.
Once an international student has completed their program of study, they may be eligible to work full-time in Canada by obtaining a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
PGWP exists to help international students gain additional work experience, which can assist those seeking to transition to permanent residents. Many permanent residency routes in Canada cater to people with Canadian work experience and a PGWP allows international graduates to gain that experience while establishing more roots in their communities and contributing to the Canadian economy.
PGWPs are valid for up to three years, depending on the duration of the program of study.
If a student does not obtain a work permit before their study permit expires, they will not be eligible to live and work in Canada after the completion of their study program.
how to start job hunting
If an international student’s study program meets the required length and certification requirements, there are still steps to take before being able to work in Canada as an international student.
First, people who want to work need a Social Insurance Number (SIN), a unique nine-digit number assigned by Service Canada. This allows the government to track employment history in Canada and ensure that people are paying the correct level of income tax, as well as track hours worked. Everyone working in Canada should have one, whether they are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or temporary resident.
International students must also wait until after the start of their program of study before being eligible to work. If they arrive in the summer before their program begins, they cannot work until their first class in September.
While waiting, they can use the time to find accommodation, go over their resume (CV) and think about how long it takes to work while balancing course load and their health.
resume writing
When updating resumes, the University of Toronto Career Center advises international students, especially those with limited work experience, to highlight all of their strengths, skills and experiences – paid and unpaid work, extracurricular activities and volunteer experience Including This may include unpaid work done for the family business.
It is not necessary to include personal information such as age, marital status, nationality, visa status, social insurance number, or photo.
Where can international students find part time jobs in Canada?
Most international students prefer to live on or near their campus, so it makes the most sense to look for jobs nearby to reduce travel time and costs.
On-campus jobs are advertised in a variety of ways. Most often, they are found on job boards, the school’s career center or student union building, or at career fairs.
Most of the off-campus job hunting is done online. Canada’s JobBank usually lists part-time, positions that are suited to international students.
LinkedIn and Indeed are popular websites for job seekers in Canada. There are many job websites in Canada to help you start your search. Some of the most popular include:
How Much Are International Students Paid?
All Canadian provinces have a minimum wage and international students should expect to make it as a minimum, hourly rate. Anything above that is up to their employer.
| Province / Territory | Rate | notes) |
|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | $15.65 | up to 06/01/2022 |
| alberta | $15.00 | as of 06/26/2019 |
| Saskatchewan | $13.00 | Upto 10/01/2022. Set to increase to $14.00 on 10/01/2023, then to $15.00 on 10/01/2024. |
| Manitoba | $13.50 | Upto 10/01/2022. Set to increase to $14.15 on 04/01/2023, then to $15.30 on 10/01/2023. |
| Ontario | $15.50 | up to 10/01/2022 |
| Quebec | $14.25 | up to 05/01/2022 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $13.70 | Upto 10/01/2022. Set to increase to $14.50 on 04/01/2023, then to $15.00 on 10/01/2023. |
| new Brunswick | $13.75 | Upto 10/01/2022. Set to increase to $14.75 on 04/01/2023. |
| Prince Edward Island | $14.50 | Upto 01/01/2023. Set to increase to $15.00 on 10/01/2023. |
| Nova Scotia | $13.60 | Upto 10/01/2022. Set to increase to $14.50 on 04/01/2023, then to $15.00 on 10/01/2023. |
| Northwest Territories | $15.20 | up to 09/01/2021 |
| nunavut | $16.00 | up to 04/01/2020 |
| Yukon | $15.70 | Upto 04/01/2022. Set to increase to $16.77 on 04/01/2023. |
Server and bartender wages in Canada are generally less than the minimum wage and vary by province. However, in Canada it is customary for bar and restaurant patrons to tip their servers and bartenders 10% to 20% of the purchase price of their meal or drink. In many instances, those who work in the restaurant industry can make more money than those who earn the full minimum wage.