Work Opportunities for Students in Canada

December 23, 2022December 23, 2022 Zubair Rashid 0 Comments

The Global Affairs Department of International Education reports that more than 642,480 international students chose to study in Canada in 2019. No wonder, given the affordable cost of living, multicultural society, quality of education and easy connections with the public. Canadian university students have a great opportunity to combine work and study. You have the option to work on-campus, off-campus, or benefit from a co-op, and you can choose one based on your background and availability.

In recent years, the cost of living in Canada has risen so much that the Work While You Study program has become a necessity.Depending on where the student chooses to continue their education, the tuition can range from Cad$7,148 to Cad$37,693. Other expenses, such as lodging, transportation, meals, and study necessities, range from approximately CAD $13,800 to CAD $46,000 annually.

The Work study program is available for both domestic and international students. However, international students must have a study permit. Additionally, students need a work permit for a co-op or internship. Compared to other countries, the Canadian government has the best possible infrastructure and the best employment opportunities. International students studying at a public university, community college, or technical school can graduate and work on the campus of the institution they attend or with a private company on campus.

The Canadian government has also relaxed off-campus work permit programs, and international students who wish to study in Canada can work 20 hours a week part-time during regular academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks.

Research findings indicate that the Work study program has a positive influence on students in social and educational terms. The average hourly wage in Canada is between 19 and 30 CAD. This program may or may not enable students to gain proficiency in their field, particularly through off-campus work, as the work need not be student-related.

The Work-Study Canada program provides students with mentoring opportunities, an expanded network, job responsibility, and self-esteem. It allows them to apply their knowledge in practical scenarios. In this way they make a good contribution to themselves and to educational institutions.

Advantages of Work Study Program

Canada is ranked by the United Nations as one of the top 10 countries to live in and the fifth happiest country in the world due to its excellent living conditions.

You will have a paid job: variable hourly wages
If you have a loan, working while you study can help you pay off your student loan.
Expansion of social and professional network, as well as use of time management and prioritisation skills.
Learning is enhanced by work experience, which improves the ability to reconcile work and life.
Students from humble beginnings can receive financial aid and add work experience to their professional resume.

Canada Work Study Program Requirements

Students must belong to one of the specified programmes: undergraduate and graduate.
You can only be hired for a working student position
Non-students (degree, diploma or certificate) cannot participate in the program
Students need a Social Security Number (SIN) before starting the program.

Social Insurance Number

It is important to obtain a Canadian student visa and then apply for a SIN. Students can obtain their SIN from Service Canada.

Requirements to Apply for SIN for Campus Work:-

Must have accepted a job at the campus where the student is enrolled in the full-time program.
You must accept the assignment if the conditions required and provided by the Ordinance for the protection of foreigners and refugees are met.
Students can obtain their SIN from the nearest Service Canada office. They must bring the original documents with them.

Students who live more than 100km from the venue or are located in a place that is difficult to access can apply by post. The original documents must be submitted along with the SIN application form.

Documents must be sent at:-

Service Canada

Social Insurance Registration Office

PO Box 7000

Bathurst, New Brunswick E2A 4T1

Canada

Why SIN?

This Canadian government-assigned 9-digit number allows you to work or receive benefits and services in Canada.

To apply for a SIN, the applicant must have one of the conditions printed on the study permit:-

The candidate can work 20 hours a week off campus or full time during regular breaks.

Applicants may accept on- or off-campus employment if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Note:

If the applicant is eligible to work off-campus and these terms are not included in the student permit, the applicant must apply for a student permit modification before submitting the application or a SIN to Service Canada.
The number of hours per week or semester may vary from university to university.
Work on campus in Canada
Working on campus offers students the opportunity to work while studying in Canada. You can find part-time jobs locally and need look no further than campus.

Students can apply on their own campus and not on another campus.

Eligibility for campus work-study

Students may not need a work permit for campus employment if:-

Enrolled in full-time study at University, college or CEGEP in Quebec
A private university in Quebec that operates as a public school and receives 50% of its funding from government grants OR
A private university that has the right to award degrees under state law.
If a university or college has more than one campus in different cities but in the same municipality, students may work in different locations
Where can you apply for the dual study programme?
School – library, athletics, catering, bookstore
student organisation
faculty member
business
Private contractor for school campus services.
Freelancers

Who can’t apply for an on-campus job?

Stop working on campus in the following scenarios:

The day a student completes his full-time studies
upon expiry of the study permit
when a student is on leave
When a student changes schools and is not currently studying
Works off campus in Canada

Students have plenty of off-campus opportunities here. Students and employers must ensure that you can study off-campus without a work permit. The study permit must contain, in particular, the requisites and eligibility for subordinate work during the course of studies. You can find the job you prefer with flexible hours.

Off-Campus Study Program eligibility

If international students meet the above requirements, they can participate in dual studies without a work permit. Because of this:-

Students must have a valid study permit.
Full-time students in a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and enrolled under
Secondary Vocational Training Program (offered in Quebec only)
Professional, academic or professional post-secondary programs
The study should have started.
Study permit stamped with the condition that students can work on-site or off-site.
Enrolled in a degree, certificate or diploma program that must last at least 6 months.
Social Security Number (SIN).

Students who are no longer in a full-time program can continue to work off-campus if:-

Full-time student since the beginning of the program in Canada.
Study part-time as the current semester is the last semester and there are fewer courses available to complete the degree.
Who can’t apply for an off-campus position?
Students cannot work off-campus without a work permit if:

The study permit stipulates that they cannot work on or off campus during their studies.

You don’t have to meet all the requirements to work off-campus.
Enrolled in an English or French as a Second Language (ESL/FSL) program only.
Only take courses of general interest.
Take courses that are to be incorporated into a full-time program.

Note: If any of these situations apply to the student, the student will need a valid work permit to work in Canada.

Off-Campus Working Hours

Student employers are usually a private non-profit organisation or a public body and work in the public interest.

Working hours during the semester/semester: up to 20 hours per week
Working hours during specified breaks: Students can work full-time during specified breaks, such as winter, summer, fall or reading week, overtime and 2 part-time jobs for a total of more than the normal number of hours.
Hours of work when a scheduled break is not in the schedule: up to 20 hours per week (must be approved as 20 hours of work is a violation of study permit rules)
Double student or intern in Canada

Few programs require work experience as part of the curriculum. Students can apply for a co-operative work permit or internship if:-

A valid study permit.

The course of study must have more than 50% total course of study.
A letter from the school requesting internships for graduation.
The admission notice must indicate eligibility for dual traineeship or traineeship.

Subsequently, students must apply for a study permit and the institution takes care of the rest.

Who can’t apply for co-op work?

The student cannot apply for the work-study permit if she chooses one of the following options:

English or French as a second language (ESL/FLS)
Courses of general interest
Courses to prepare for another career
apply online

Students can apply online by submitting electronic copies of documents along with fees to be paid by credit card. Applying online is helpful in the following ways:

English or French as a second language (ESL/FLS)
Courses of general interest
Courses to prepare for another career

Apply Online

Students can apply online by submitting electronic copies of documents along with fees to be paid by credit card. Applying online is helpful in the following ways:

No courier charges or courier delivery times, your request is received immediately
The application can be processed faster
If more documents are needed, they can be sent quickly
Application status updates are reflected directly in your online account

Apply through Paper

Download the application package from the Government of Canada official website.
Fill out the application form and attach the required documents.
Mail the application fee to the mailing address provided with the application packet.

PGWP

After completing your studies, there are 2 options for working full time:

Apply for a work permit before finishing your studies
When a student can work off campus while studying
Apply for a work permit or postgraduate work permit before your study permit expires
Waiting for the decision on the work permit application
When starting a new course
Have a valid study permit and have applied for a work permit prior to completing the programme
You have received written confirmation of program completion from the partner institution.
Get approved for a new full-time course
Start a new program within 150 calendar days of receiving confirmation that you have completed the program.

The work-study program helps you gain work experience and offset college costs. Promotes student skills. They learn to manage their time better, get out of their comfort zone, improve their communication skills and work under pressure. Internships are very attractive to future employers.