Canada
rgb(0,0,0)
Learn about the rules for working during your studies and after graduation, applying for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) and OCAD U's Campus Employment Program for International Students (CEPIS).
rgb(255,255,255)
Working while studying
You can work on campus or off campus during your studies if you meet the following conditions:
- You have a valid study permit
- Your study permit states that you 'may accept employment' or 'may work' in Canada
- You have full-time student status*
- You have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN)
*To be full-time, undergraduate students must be registered in a minimum of 1.5 credits in each of the fall and winter terms. Graduate students must be enrolled in a full-time master's program.
You must stop working if you're no longer studying full-time or when your study permit expires.
Social Insurance Number (SIN)
A Social Insurance Number or SIN is a nine-digit number that you need to work in Canada and to have access to government programs and benefits. Your employer cannot pay you until you have this number, and you need a SIN to file Canadian taxes.
You can apply for a SIN online or in person at a Service Canada Centre, and must provide the following documents:
- Your passport.
- Your valid study permit (which must state 'may accept employment' or 'may work' in Canada).
- Proof of address in Canada (your student fees account statement includes your address, and you can download the statement through the Student Finance section of Self-Service in the MyOCADU Portal).
Your SIN is also your personal identifying number. It should not be used by anyone other than you, so please make sure you store your information in a safe place as you are responsible for protecting your SIN.
rgb(255,255,255)
Hours of work
Undergraduate Students – Off-Campus Work
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can work off campus up to a maximum of 24 hours per week during the fall and winter terms and full-time during regularly scheduled breaks in your academic program.
The spring/summer term is a scheduled break in your program, and you can work off campus full-time even if you decide to take courses. To be eligible to work during the spring/summer term, you must have been a full-time student in the winter term and be planning to return to full-time studies in the upcoming fall term.
You may also work off campus full-time during these scheduled breaks:
- from the end of fall classes to the start of winter classes (mid-December to early January)
- during the one-week study breaks in October and February
Hour of Work
Graduate Students – Off-Campus Work
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can work off campus up to a maximum of 24 hours per week during the fall, winter and spring/summer terms.
You may work full-time during these regularly scheduled breaks in your academic program:
- from the end of winter classes to the start of spring/summer classes (mid-April to mid-May)
- from the end of spring/summer classes to the start of fall classes (mid-August to early September)
- from the end of fall classes to the start of winter classes (mid-December to early January)
- during the one-week study breaks in October and February
On-Campus Work
The limit of 24 hours per week only applies to off-campus work. There is no limit on the number of hours you can work on campus.
It is also possible to work on and off campus at the same time. For example, you could work 24 hours per week at an off-campus job and 10 hour per week at OCAD U, for a total of 30 hours per week.
rgb(255,255,255)
Campus Employment Program for International Student (CEPIS)
There are a limited number of on-campus jobs available for international students through the Campus Employment Program for International Students (CEPIS). CEPIS is a work/study program designed to provide students with financial assistance through part-time paid employment on campus at OCAD U. The program provides students with a valuable opportunity a gain and enhance skills and obtain Canadian work experience.
CEPIS runs during the fall and winter terms (September to April) and during the spring/summer term (May to August).
To be considered for CEPIS in the fall and winter terms, you must:
- be an international degree-seeking student (undergraduate or graduate level)
- have a valid study permit
- be registered in full-time studies in both the fall and winter terms
- complete the CEPIS online eligibility check
To be eligible for CEPIS in the spring/summer term, you must:
- be an international degree-seeking student (undergraduate or graduate level)
- have a valid study permit
- have been registered in full-time studies in the winter term and be planning to return to full-time studies in the fall term (except if spring/summer is your final term)
- not be graduating in May
- complete the Spring/summer CEPIS online eligibility check
After confirming your eligibility, you can apply to CEPIS jobs posted on OCAD U's Talent Network. You can only apply for job postings open to international students.
Working in Canada after graduation
A post-graduation work permit allows you to stay in Canada and work either part-time or full-time after you complete your degree program, helping you gain valuable Canadian work experience. The PGWP is an open work permit, meaning that you are allowed to work in most types of jobs, for any employer, and anywhere in Canada.
It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; you can only obtain a PGWP once. If you have plans to pursue another post-secondary program in Canada after graduating from OCAD U, you may wish to wait and apply for a PGWP after you've completed your second program to make full use of your work permit.
Undergraduate and graduate international students from OCAD U are eligible to apply for a PGWP with a validity period of up to 3 years - the maximum duration allowed.
Check your passport and make sure it will be valid for at least 3 more years from the time you apply for your PGWP. The work permit cannot be issued past the expiry date of your passport.
- You must have maintained full-time student status during each term of your study program except for:
- Final term before graduation (can be part-time)
- Authorized leave from studies (150 days or less)
- You must have a valid study permit.
- You must have successfully completed program requirements.
- You must have received the final transcript and graduation letter from OCAD.
You have up to 180 days after you receive your confirmation of graduation letter to apply for a PGWP. The 180 days applies to both inside and outside Canada applications.
However, if you are applying from inside Canada, please note that your study permit automatically becomes invalid 90 days after your confirmation of graduation letter is issued, even if the expiry date on the permit is later. You will need to submit your PGWP application before your study permit becomes invalid or expires, whichever comes first. You must have a valid study permit when you apply for your PGWP if you want to work in Canada while your application is being processed.
Please visit the IRCC website for details on applying from inside and outside Canada.
After you complete your final term courses, you can continue to work part-time (maximum of 24 hours per week) until the day the Office of the Registrar notifies you that you have successfully completed your degree requirements, provided your study permit remains valid during this time.
Once you receive your confirmation of graduation letter, you will have to stop working as you will no longer be authorized to work under your study permit conditions.
You can work full-time after you apply for a PGWP if:
- You had a valid study permit when you submitted your application
- You were eligible to work off-campus without a work permit while studying
- You didn’t work more hours than you were allowed to
Note: If IRCC notifies you that your application has been refused, you must stop working immediately.
If you leave Canada after applying for your PGWP, you will need one of the following to re-enter the country:
- Valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)
- Valid Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
The one you need depends on your country of citizenship.
Note: Citizens and permanent residents of the United States do not require a TRV or eTA to enter Canada
We recommend that you also carry proof you have applied for a PGWP (confirmation of application submission from IRCC, receipt for fee payment, etc.)
- If IRCC approved your PGWP application while you were away, you may enter as a worker.
- If IRCC is still processing your application, you may enter as a visitor, and you can work without a work permit until IRCC makes a decision on your application.