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Canada International Student Visa Rules and regulations/ Study Work Permit Rules to Observe in Canada

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Canada International Student Visa Rules and regulations/ Study Work Permit Rules to Observe in Canada

These are Canada International Student Visa Rules and regulations to observe while studying with work Permit in Canada. They are rules and regulations for getting and maintaining the approval for F1/student Visa for international students in Canada. Therefore, related questions include; how long can international students stay in Canada after graduation?  Can international students work in Canada? And, how many hours can international student work in Canada? What is on-campus and off-campus work rules and regulations? Here re Canada International Student Visa Rules and regulations/ Study Work Permit Rules to Observe in Canada.

These and more questions re the main thrust of this article.  So, if you are intending to study in Canada and be working to support yourself, here are rules and regulations you must abide with.

Study Work Permit Rules to Observe in Canada

The first rule is that student visa holders cannot accept off-campus employment at any time during the first year of their studies. However, under certain circumstances, Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) may grant you permission to accept off-campus employment after one year of study.

In the light of this, as an international student, can you work in Canada without a work permit? The answer is YES; if you have a study permit and re enrolled full-time in an eligible institution you may work on-campus without a work permit.

Canada International Student Visa Rules and regulations/ Study Work Permit Rules to Observe in Canada

On the other hand, if you’ve a study permit and re enrolled full-time in an academic, professional or vocational training program at a designated learning institution, you may work off campus without a work permit.

As of rule, if you receive your study permit after June 1, your study permit will indicate if you could work off campus. That means you are allowed to work for up to 20 hours per week while your program is in session. Then you can work full-time during scheduled breaks in the academic calendar. That also means you may work for any employer in Canada who is not on the ineligible employer list.

Canada International Student Visa Rules and regulations/ Study Work Permit Rules to Observe in Canada – Appropriate work permit:

As you can see above, work permit differs. If you must enjoy this privilege you must ensure you have the appropriate work permit. For instance, you need a peculiar work permit in order to take part in a co-op or internship program. Furthermore, you also must apply for a post-graduation work permit in order to work in Canada after your studies.

Avoid Embarrassment; watch the following:

The I-20 form: This form is issued for a period of two years. You need therefore to watch this date as you will lose your F1 student status immediately the form expires.

Your passport expires: Get this into year head. Know when your passport expires. Therefore, ensure you renew your passport six months before it expires.

Furthermore, the  I-94 card is a permit that allows you to stay in the country. It contains the card holder’s date and port of entry.

Student Status: For you to  maintain your F1 student status, you need to  enrolled in a full-time course. If this is not the case then you may be reported to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USICS).

Minimum semester hours: You have to complete a minimum number of hours each semester to maintain your F1 student status.

Canada International Student Visa Rules and regulations/ Study Work Permit Rules to Observe in Canada

In addition, withdrawal can be entertained by the US immigration department under only certain circumstances. You need to check whether you’re eligible for withdrawals for the amount of hours requested.

On-campus and off-campus work: As explained above, if you have F1 status  you can work for up to 20 hours a week on-campus.  That means, you can only work off-campus if you have legal authorization from the immigration department. And then, you must have held the F1 status for more than a year.

Travels outside the Canada: The signature on the third page of the I-20 form is valid only for one year. So, you have to renew it in case it expires as you won’t be allowed without the travel signature. Also, your passport should not expire at least 6 months after you arrived Canada to pursue your studies.          

Canada International Student Visa Rules and regulations/ Study Work Permit Rules to Observe in Canada – In Summary:

Who can work on-campus – This is possible only when you have started your study program. This is because you can’t work before your studies begin.

Again, you can work as an international student in Canada if your study permit lists a condition that says you’re allowed to work on- or off-campus.

Therefore, you can work on your school campus, without a work permit, if you are a full-time post-secondary student at a:

  • Public post-secondary school, such as a college or university, or CEGEP in Quebec
  • Private college-level school in Quebec that operates under the same rules as public schools, and is at least 50% funded by government grants, or
  • Canadian private school that can legally award degrees under provincial law
  • Have a valid study permit, and
  • Have a Social Insurance Number (SIN).

Furthermore, who can’t work on campus? You must stop working on-campus:

  • On the day you stop studying full-time
  • When your study permit expires
  • If you’re on an authorized leave from your studies

You can return to work only once you’re back to studying and you meet all the requirements to work on-campus.

Where you can work:

“On-campus” means you can work at all the buildings on your school campus. If your school has more than one campus, you may only work at the campus where you’re studying in most cases.

Therefore, you can work at other locations if:

  • You’re working as a teaching or research assistant and
  • Your work is strictly related to a research grant

In this case, you may work at a library, hospital or research facility associated with your school, even if they’re outside the campus.

Who you may work for

An “on-campus” employer can be:

  • The school
  • A faculty member
  • A student organization
  • Yourself, if: you run a business that is physically located on-campus (for example: you own a coffee shop that is located on campus)
  • A private business
  • A private contractor that provides on-campus services to the school

Work off campus as an international student:

Who can work off-campus?

As explained above, you can only start working in Canada when you start your study program. Because, you can’t work before your studies begin.

You and your employer must make sure you can work off-campus without a work permit before you start working. If you start working off-campus but don’t meet the requirements, you may have to leave Canada.

You can work as an international student in Canada if your study permit lists a condition that says you’re allowed to work on- or off-campus.

You can work off-campus, without a work permit, if you meet all of these requirements:

  • You have a valid study permit that includes a condition that says you can work off-campus
  • You’re a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI)
  • You’re enrolled in a post-secondary academic, vocational or professional training program, or
  • secondary-level vocational training program (Quebec only)
  • You’ve started studying your study program which is at least 6 months long, and leads to a degree, diploma or certificate
  • You have a Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Study Work Permit Rules to Observe in Canada

If you’re a part-time student, you can work off-campus only if you meet all of the requirements above and you’re only studying part-time, instead of full-time, because:

  • You’re in the last semester of your study program
  • You were a full-time student in your program in Canada, up until your last semester
  • Or you don’t need a full course load to complete your progra
  • You can’t work off-campus
  • You can only return to work once you’re back to studying
Canada International Student Visa Rules and regulations/ Study Work Permit Rules to Observe in Canada

Canada International Student Visa Rules and regulations/ Study Work Permit Rules to Observe in Canada

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CONCLUDING NOTE:

As a matter of fact, You can work as an international student in Canada if your study permit lists a condition that says you’re allowed to work on- or off-campus.
Therefore, if you have a study permit and are enrolled full-time in an eligible institution you may work on-campus without a work permit.


Canada International Student Visa Rules and regulations/ Study Work Permit Rules to Observe in Canada – GET A PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE HERE:

If you need a professional assistance on these, we can come to your aid. In fact, we offer professional assistance to students who study in foreign countries. Our assistance covers –

For any of these professional assistance, Call +234 8034347851 or email [email protected]

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Ane

Deacon Anekperechi Nworgu, a seasoned economist who transitioned into a chartered accountant, auditor, tax practitioner, and business consultant, brings with him a wealth of industry expertise spanning over 37 years.

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