Work eligibility depends on permit conditions, active study and current IRCC rules. Part-time earnings cannot replace the funds required for study-permit purposes.
Eligible students who have started their programme may work up to 24 hours per week off campus during regular terms, across all jobs, and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks. Language-only, general-interest and prerequisite-only study normally does not qualify.
Students must track their hours. Excess work can affect status and future permits. Remote work for an employer outside Canada generally does not count toward the 24-hour limit while study-permit conditions continue to be met.
From 1 April 2026, eligible post-secondary international students no longer need a separate co-op work permit for required student placements. Existing permits remain valid; eligibility still needs checking on IRCC's student-work-placement page.
Ask whether the placement is compulsory, employer-arranged, paid, open to international students, supported by named past employers, and how credits are completed if no placement is secured.
This is education information and application-coordination guidance, not immigration or legal advice. Rules change; use the current IRCC, EduCanada, institution and provincial requirements at the time of application.