Can Pakistani Students Work Part-Time While Studying in Canada? (2026)
Table of contents
How many hours can you work?
During your academic terms, the legal limit is 24 hours per week off campus. This cap has applied since the autumn of 2024, when it replaced the older 20-hour rule. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) counts these hours weekly, not monthly, so a heavy 30-hour week followed by a quiet 18-hour week still breaks the rule.
During scheduled breaks the picture changes. If you are a full-time student enrolled before and after the break, you may work unlimited hours off campus during winter holidays, reading week and the summer term. The one condition worth remembering is that the break has to be a real, scheduled break in your programme, and you must be returning to full-time study afterwards.
On-campus, off-campus and break work
Not all work is counted the same way. Here is how the three categories differ:
- Off-campus work during term time is capped at 24 hours a week. Think retail, hospitality, warehouses or an office job away from your college.
- On-campus work at your own institution has no weekly hour limit, as long as you stay eligible. Library assistant, research helper and campus cafe roles fall here.
- Break work can be full time off campus, but only during scheduled holidays, and up to a total of 180 days of full-time work outside term in a calendar year.
Many students combine the two. You could hold a campus job and a weekend off-campus job, but the off-campus hours still have to stay within 24 a week during your teaching term.
Who is eligible to work
You can work part time without a separate work permit when all of the following are true:
- You hold a valid study permit that carries the condition allowing off-campus work.
- You are a full-time student at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in a programme of at least six months that leads to a degree, diploma or certificate.
- You have started your studies. Working before your first day is not allowed, even if your permit is already issued.
- You have a Social Insurance Number (SIN) from Service Canada.
If your study permit does not show the work condition, you should not work until it is corrected. Getting your permit right at the application stage matters, which is why our step-by-step guide to the Canada study permit from Pakistan is a sensible read before you fly.
How much you can earn part time
Wages depend on the province and the job. In 2026, provincial minimum wages sit at roughly CAD 15 to CAD 18.25 per hour, with British Columbia near the top at about CAD 18.25 and Ontario close behind at around CAD 17.95. The federal minimum wage, which covers federally regulated jobs, rose to CAD 18.15 per hour in April 2026.
Working the full 24 hours at, say, CAD 17 an hour brings in about CAD 400 a week before tax. That helps with groceries, transport and phone bills, but it will not cover your full tuition. Treat part-time work as support money, not a funding plan. Your savings and sponsor funds still need to be solid, and our breakdown of the cost of studying in Canada from Pakistan shows why. If you are still comparing where to study, the study destinations hub lays out the alternatives.
Co-op and internship changes in 2026
Some programmes include a mandatory work placement, such as a co-op term or internship. Until recently these needed a separate co-op work permit. From 1 April 2026, IRCC removed that separate permit. If the placement is a formal requirement of your programme and does not make up more than half of the total course length, you can now complete it under your study permit alone.
This is good news for business, engineering and IT students, who often have placements built into their degrees. It also feeds into post-study plans, since Canadian work experience supports several immigration routes. If permanent residency is on your mind, our overview of the best countries for PR after studying abroad puts Canada in context.
Common mistakes to avoid
The three errors we see most often are easy to prevent. First, starting work before the course officially begins. Second, drifting over 24 hours during exam season when a second job piles on extra shifts. Third, dropping to part-time enrolment without realising it removes the right to work. Any of these can end in a lost study permit and a refused future application. When in doubt, work fewer hours, not more.
Key takeaways
A Pakistani student in Canada can work up to 24 hours per week off campus during the term and full time during scheduled breaks, with no weekly cap on on-campus work. You need a valid study permit with the work condition, full-time enrolment at a DLI and a SIN, and you can only begin once studies start. Expect roughly CAD 15 to 18.25 per hour depending on the province. From April 2026, mandatory co-op placements no longer need a separate work permit. Going over the hour limit is the fastest way to lose your status, so track your hours carefully.
Planning your Canada application?
Border and Bridges is a Johar Town, Lahore consultancy verified by SECP, FBR, ICEF and the British Council. Tell us your programme and city, and we will map out your study permit and part-time work plan.
Frequently asked questions
Can I work more than 24 hours a week if I need the money?
No. During academic terms 24 hours is the firm legal limit off campus. Working more breaks your study permit conditions and can cost you your student status and future permits.
Do on-campus jobs count towards the 24 hours?
No. Work on your institution’s premises has no weekly cap, so campus jobs do not eat into your off-campus allowance, as long as you remain eligible.
Can I work full time during the summer holidays?
Yes, if you are enrolled full time before and after the break and your programme has a scheduled summer break. Full-time work off campus is allowed during those periods, up to 180 days of full-time work outside term in a calendar year.
Can I start working as soon as I land in Canada?
No. You can only begin once your programme has officially started, even if your study permit already includes the work condition.
Do I need a separate work permit for a part-time job?
No. Off-campus and on-campus part-time work is allowed under your study permit if it carries the right condition. You only need a Social Insurance Number to be paid legally.
Does my spouse in Canada have work rights too?
Spousal open work permits have tightened in recent years and now depend on your programme and level of study. Rules change often, so confirm current eligibility before assuming your partner can work.
Will part-time work affect my studies or visa renewal?
Staying within the limits does not harm your record. Overworking or dropping below full-time enrolment can, and both show up when you apply to extend your permit or move to a work permit later.
Talk to a verified Canada study adviser
From choosing a Designated Learning Institution to planning how you will support yourself, our team guides Pakistani students through every step. Book a free consultation with Border and Bridges through our contact page and start your Canada plan on the right footing.
