On-campus and off-campus jobs in Canada

As the name explains, an on-campus job is one where you work within the premises of your college or university. These jobs make is easier for you to divide your time between your classes and your part-time job as you do not have to spend too much time on commuting. 

They can range from working at the college cafeteria as a waiter or at the college library as an assistant bookkeeper to working as a teaching or research assistant within your subject department. However, there are certain rules and regulations to these jobs. They are:

• You can’t start an on-campus job until your study program starts

• Your visa should show that you have a work permit to take up the job

• You must stop working when your study program ends, or your study permit expires

• You can’t work on-campus while you are on leave from studies or are between schools or courses

• Having a Social Insurance Number (SIN) makes it easier for you to be eligible for an on-campus job 

You may be employed by the university, a department, a faculty member, the student organisation, or a private contractor who operates within campus premises.

As per the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), there is no fixed number of hours for part-time on-campus. However, certain on-campus employers might limit your work to a certain number of hours.

As for the pay, you will be able to earn approximately CA$42,565 per year or CA$22 per hour* while working on campus. Make sure you budget your expenses and plan well how to use your part-time earnings. 

An off-campus job allows you to explore part-time work opportunities outside the boundaries of your study campus. This gives you a wider palate of options to choose from and may even help you get familiar with newer regions in the city you are in. Tutor, waiter, and attendant are some of the popular off-campus jobs. Just like on-campus jobs, there are strict rules governing off-campus jobs as well. If you do not adhere by them, you may be asked to leave the county. Keep in mind: 

• You can’t start an on-campus job until your study program starts

• Your visa should show that you have a work permit to take up the job

• You must stop working when your study program ends, or your study permit expires

• You can’t work while you are on leave from studies or are between schools or courses

• Having a Social Insurance Number (SIN) makes it easier for you to be eligible for an on-campus job 

• You can’t work off campus if you are not enrolled in a full-time course

You should not work for more than 20 hours during a regular study week. However, you can work full time during scheduled leaves.

You can also consider Co-operative education, or co-op education in Canada, to earn while studying. Almost all post-secondary institutions in the country offer a co-op option along with their academic programs. In this, you get work experience in an industry related to your study area. It gives real-world experience, enhances your employability, and helps you figure out which kind of job will work best for you. Typically, you get to explore a new industry in each semester as part of the co-op program.

With Canada evolving into a hub for emerging businesses, the country offers ample job opportunities for international students. The safe and welcoming environment in Canada only adds to this benefit. 

Read more: Employment prospects in Canada

Even for these jobs, you get CA$22 per hour*. Both on-campus and off-campus jobs are a great way to manage your expenses abroad. Moreover, they help you get familiar with the country and give you a chance to interact with new people every day. 

The Canadian government runs an initiative which helps you find out suitable options by navigating through an online tool known as Explore Careers. It will allow you to map leads as per outlook, education program, skills, etc. 

Studying and working in Canada may turn out to be one of your most cherished life decisions. Not only will it do wonders to your career prospects, it will also give you a whole new perspective through global exposure. Hope you make the most of the possibilities that are presented to you. Best of luck!