Study and Work in Canada: Scholarships That Allow Part-Time Work

Canada has long been a premier destination for international students seeking high-quality education and promising career prospects. A significant aspect of this appeal is the ability for students to gain valuable work experience while pursuing their studies, often supported by scholarships. This report delves into the regulations governing international student work permits, explores various scholarship opportunities that accommodate part-time employment, and outlines strategic pathways toward permanent residency through Canadian work experience.

Understanding International Student Work Permits

International students in Canada are generally permitted to work both on campus and off campus, subject to specific conditions outlined in their study permits. These regulations are designed to ensure that academic pursuits remain the primary focus while allowing students to gain practical experience and supplement their financial resources.

On-Campus Work Eligibility and Conditions

Students holding a valid study permit that explicitly authorizes work can engage in on-campus employment without requiring a separate work permit. This authorization is typically noted on the study permit itself. To qualify, students must be enrolled full-time at a designated learning institution (DLI), maintain a valid study permit or “maintained status,” and possess a Social Insurance Number (SIN).

The scope of “on-campus” work extends to all buildings within the school’s campus. In certain cases, such as for teaching or research assistants whose work is linked to a research grant, employment may occur at associated off-campus locations like libraries, hospitals, or research facilities. A key advantage of on-campus employment is the absence of hourly restrictions from an immigration perspective, allowing students to work an unlimited number of hours, provided they comply with provincial labor standards and their institution’s policies.

Off-Campus Work Eligibility and Conditions

Eligible international students can also work off-campus without a separate work permit. As of November 8, 2024, the maximum allowable off-campus work hours during regular academic sessions increased to 24 hours per week. During scheduled academic breaks, such as summer or winter holidays, students are permitted to work unlimited hours, provided they maintained full-time student status both before and after the break.

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Eligibility for off-campus work requires full-time enrollment in a post-secondary academic, vocational, or professional training program of at least six months duration, leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate. Students must have commenced their studies and obtained a SIN. It is crucial for students to monitor their work hours diligently, as exceeding the 24-hour limit during academic terms constitutes a violation of study permit conditions, potentially leading to loss of student status or future permit refusals.

Co-op and Internship Work Permits

For programs that include a mandatory work experience component, such as co-ops, internships, or practicums, a separate co-op work permit is required. This permit is distinct from a study permit and is necessary regardless of whether the placement is paid or unpaid. The co-op work permit allows students to engage in full-time work during their designated co-op terms. Eligibility for a co-op work permit hinges on the work being an essential part of the academic program and the placement duration comprising 50% or less of the total study program.

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

Upon successful completion of an eligible program at a Canadian DLI, international students may apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). The PGWP allows graduates to gain full-time Canadian work experience, which is a critical step towards potentially qualifying for permanent residency. The duration of the PGWP is typically tied to the length of the study program, up to a maximum of three years. Applying for a PGWP from within Canada before the study permit expires allows students to continue working full-time while awaiting a decision on their application.

Scholarships That Allow Part-Time Work

Many international students rely on scholarships to fund their education in Canada. The compatibility of these scholarships with part-time employment varies depending on the funding source and its specific terms and conditions.

Government-Funded Scholarships

Federal government scholarships, such as the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (VCGS), Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships, and Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master’s (CGS M), are highly prestigious.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (VCGS): These scholarships are for doctoral students and typically provide $50,000 per year for three years. While the terms do not explicitly prohibit part-time work, they require recipients to pursue full-time doctoral studies and research. The primary focus is on academic engagement, and any employment must not conflict with full-time student status or the scholarship’s primary objective of supporting research.
Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships: Offering $70,000 per year for two years, these fellowships target top-tier postdoctoral researchers. A crucial condition is that recipients cannot hold a tenure-track or tenured faculty position concurrently with the fellowship. They also cannot hold other Tri-agency training awards simultaneously. While not explicitly defining part-time work limits, the emphasis on full-time research and the prohibition of tenure-track employment suggest that any supplementary work must be part-time and not interfere with the fellowship’s primary research mandate.
Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master’s (CGS M): These awards support Master’s students with typically $27,000 for one year. The CGS M Award Holder’s Guide explicitly states that recipients “must not hold or accept full-time employment while holding the award”. This directly implies that part-time employment is permissible, as long as it does not constitute full-time work and does not impede academic progress.
Trudeau Scholarships and Fellowships: These scholarships, awarded to doctoral students in humanities and social sciences (typically $40,000 per year), explicitly allow Scholars to work part-time. This includes on-campus academic roles such as research assistants, teacher assistants, and lecturers. However, full-time employment would render a Scholar ineligible for the scholarship, even if they are also a full-time student.

University-Specific Scholarships and Financial Aid Programs

Many Canadian universities offer their own scholarships and financial aid programs for international students, and several of these explicitly support or are compatible with part-time work.

University of Toronto (UofT): UofT offers various scholarships, including the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship (full tuition, books, residence, living expenses) and the University of Toronto Scholars Program. Critically, UofT operates a “Work Study Program” that provides part-time, paid on-campus employment to eligible undergraduate and graduate students. This program allows students to earn income, gain work experience, and develop skills, with positions available across all three campuses. This program directly facilitates combining study with part-time work.
University of British Columbia (UBC): UBC offers awards like the International Leader of Tomorrow Award (needs-based, covering tuition and living expenses). UBC also has a “Work Learn program” which offers part-time jobs at the university, enabling students to develop professional skills while taking courses. This program is a clear example of a scholarship-compatible work opportunity.
McGill University: McGill’s Entrance Bursary Program supports undergraduate students with financial need, supplementing other funding sources including part-time work. Students receiving this aid are automatically approved to seek employment through the University’s Work Study Program. The McCall MacBain Scholarship at McGill covers tuition, fees, and a living stipend, and allows recipients to enroll full-time even if they were part-time students before.
University of Alberta: The University of Alberta offers numerous scholarships for undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD programs. Their “International Student Summer Employment Program (ISSEP)” provides a wage subsidy to employers to hire full-time undergraduate international students for summer positions, helping students gain Canadian work experience. Graduate students at the University of Alberta are eligible to work an unlimited number of hours on-campus and 24 hours per week off-campus during academic terms.

These examples demonstrate that many Canadian universities actively support international students in combining their studies with part-time work, often through structured programs that align with scholarship requirements.

Balancing Academic Responsibilities and Part-Time Work

Successfully integrating part-time work with academic commitments requires strategic planning and effective time management. International students must prioritize their studies, as academic performance is paramount for maintaining study permit validity and scholarship eligibility.

Strategies for Effective Balance

Create a Realistic Schedule: Developing a comprehensive schedule that allocates specific blocks for classes, assignments, work shifts, and personal time is crucial. This helps in visualizing commitments and preventing overcommitment.
Communicate with Employers and Professors: Open dialogue with employers about academic demands can facilitate flexible work hours or shift adjustments. Similarly, informing professors about work schedules and discussing potential conflicts can lead to accommodations. Many Canadian employers, especially those hiring students, understand the need for academic flexibility.
Leverage University Resources: Universities often provide a wealth of support services, including academic advisors, tutoring, and time management workshops. Campus job boards can also be an excellent starting point for finding student-friendly roles that offer flexibility.
Utilize Commute Time: Productively using commute time for reviewing notes, listening to lectures, or planning the day can optimize efficiency.
Prioritize Self-Care: Maintaining overall well-being through adequate sleep, healthy eating, and scheduled relaxation is essential to prevent burnout. It is acceptable to decline extra shifts or social invitations if feeling overwhelmed.
Financial Management: Working part-time directly helps offset living expenses such as tuition fees, accommodation, food, and transportation, reducing financial pressure. Opening a Canadian bank account simplifies direct payroll deposits and helps manage spending without international transfer fees.

By adopting these strategies, international students can effectively manage their dual roles, enriching their Canadian experience with both academic achievement and valuable work exposure.

Pathways to Permanent Residency Through Canadian Work Experience

For many international students, the journey to Canada extends beyond graduation, with a strong desire to transition to permanent residency. Canadian work experience gained during and after studies is a significant factor in achieving this goal.

The Role of Canadian Work Experience

Canadian work experience is highly valued in Canada’s immigration system, particularly for programs like the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The CEC is designed for skilled workers who have gained at least one year (1,560 hours) of full-time Canadian work experience in a skilled occupation (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) within the three years prior to application. This experience must be paid and gained while authorized to work under temporary resident status. It is important to note that self-employment and work experience gained while a full-time student (including co-op terms) generally do not count towards the minimum requirements for the CEC, with a recent exception for self-employed physicians.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are a key pathway for international students seeking permanent residency, allowing provinces and territories to nominate individuals who meet specific local economic and labor market needs. A nomination from a province or territory significantly enhances a candidate’s chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence through the federal Express Entry system, typically by adding 600 points to their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.

PNPs generally fall into two categories:

Enhanced Nominations: These are linked to the Express Entry system and award the additional 600 CRS points. Candidates usually need to be in the Express Entry pool first.
Base Nominations: These operate outside the Express Entry system and do not award additional CRS points. They offer an alternative pathway for individuals who may not qualify for Express Entry directly.

Many PNP streams require a valid job offer from an employer in the nominating province, directly linking the work experience gained during studies to permanent residency prospects.

Some examples of provincial streams and their job offer requirements:

Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP): Many worker streams require a job offer, including the Tourism and Hospitality Stream, Alberta Opportunity Stream, and Rural Renewal Stream.
British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP): The Skilled Worker Stream, Health Authority Stream, and Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS) Stream all require an indeterminate, full-time job offer from a B.C. employer. The BC PNP Tech stream is an exception, requiring a job offer of at least one year, but not necessarily indeterminate. Entrepreneur streams focus on job creation rather than a job offer for the applicant.
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP): The Skilled Worker in Manitoba pathway requires a full-time, long-term job offer from a Manitoba company, along with at least six months of continuous full-time employment with that employer. The International Education Stream’s Career Employment Pathway requires a job offer in an in-demand occupation related to the field of study. The International Student Entrepreneur Pilot and Business Investor Stream focus on business establishment and job creation.
New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP): The NB Skilled Worker stream generally requires a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from an eligible New Brunswick employer. The NB Critical Worker Pilot and Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program also require a genuine offer of full-time, permanent employment.
Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP): The Express Entry Skilled Worker and Skilled Worker categories require a full-time job or job offer in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation (or TEER 4 or 5 for Skilled Worker). The International Graduate stream also requires a job offer in a relevant TEER level. Entrepreneur streams focus on job creation.
Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP): Most NSNP streams, including Skilled Worker, Occupations in Demand, and Critical Construction Worker Pilot, require a full-time, permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer.
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP): Employer Job Offer streams (Foreign Worker, International Student, In-Demand Skills) require a full-time, permanent job offer. However, the Master’s Graduate and PhD Graduate streams do not require a job offer.
Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP): Streams like Intermediate Experience, Occupations in Demand, Skilled Workers in PEI, and Skilled Workers Outside Canada all require a full-time, non-seasonal job offer. PEI Express Entry prioritizes applicants with continuous full-time work experience with a PEI employer.
Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP): Many streams, including Skilled Worker With Existing Work Permit, Agriculture Talent Pathway, Health Talent Pathway, and Tech Talent Pathway, require a permanent full-time job offer supported by an SINP Job Approval Letter. The Entrepreneur and Farm Owner and Operator streams were permanently closed as of March 27, 2025, for new applications.
Yukon Nominee Program (YNP): All worker streams (Critical Impact Worker, Skilled Worker, Express Entry, Yukon Community Program) require a full-time and year-round job offer from an eligible Yukon employer. The Yukon Community Program specifically allows for 2 to 3 part-time job offers from multiple employers.

The diverse requirements across PNPs highlight the importance of researching specific provincial needs and aligning one’s skills and job search accordingly.

Effective Job Search Strategies and Avoiding Scams

Securing a job that aligns with immigration goals requires a strategic approach, particularly for international students and graduates. Awareness of common scams is also vital.

Key Job Search Platforms and Keywords

Major online job boards are essential tools for finding visa-sponsored or LMIA-backed positions in Canada:

Indeed Canada: While it may not have a direct “visa sponsorship” filter, users can search using keywords like “visa sponsorship,” “LMIA,” or “relocation”.
LinkedIn: Similar to Indeed, LinkedIn does not have a direct visa sponsorship filter. However, using keywords such as “visa sponsorship,” “H1B” (though H1B is US-specific, it can sometimes be used as a general indicator), or “work permit” in the search bar can help narrow down results. Applying filters like “Experience Level,” “Company,” and “Job Type” can further refine searches.
Job Bank Canada: This is the official Canadian government job portal. Users can search by keywords and location, and apply filters such as “hours of work,” “salary,” and “employment groups,” including “Temporary foreign workers” and “Canadians and international candidates”. LMIA is also a trending keyword on Job Bank.
Workopolis and Monster Canada: These are other popular Canadian job portals where visa-sponsored jobs might be found.

Networking and Resume Best Practices

Networking is a powerful tool in the Canadian job market, with an estimated 75% of job opportunities filled through recruiters’ networks.

Active Networking: Attend industry events, conferences, and workshops; join professional associations; connect with former colleagues and classmates on platforms like LinkedIn; and conduct informational interviews. Volunteering can also help build a network and gain Canadian work experience.
Optimized Resume: Tailor resumes to Canadian standards, typically listing job experiences in reverse-chronological order. Include keywords from job descriptions to ensure Applicant Tracking System (ATS) compatibility. Highlight relevant skills, accomplishments, and any Canadian work or volunteer experience. A personalized cover letter is also essential.
LinkedIn Profile: Maintain an up-to-date and professional LinkedIn profile, as many Canadian employers review social media accounts.

Identifying and Avoiding Scams

The pursuit of visa-sponsored jobs can unfortunately attract fraudulent schemes. Vigilance is critical to identify and avoid job scams.

Red Flags: Be wary of unsolicited job offer emails, requests for upfront payments for job placement or visa processing, and vague job descriptions that promise unusually high salaries or benefits. Legitimate companies do not charge candidates for visa sponsorship; visa and relocation fees are typically covered by the employer.
Verification: Always confirm the company’s contact details against their official website (not those provided in the suspicious offer). Contact the HR department directly to verify the job offer and visa sponsorship. Examine the offer details for legal language and consistency with Canadian labor laws. Verify the visa process by contacting the relevant country’s embassy or consulate. If in doubt, seeking legal advice from reputable immigration lawyers is advisable.

Conclusion

Studying and working in Canada offers a multifaceted pathway for international students to achieve academic and professional growth, often culminating in permanent residency. The Canadian immigration framework, including flexible work permit regulations and diverse Provincial Nominee Programs, is designed to attract and retain global talent.

While scholarships can significantly alleviate financial burdens, understanding their specific terms regarding employment is critical. Federal scholarships often restrict full-time employment, while many university-specific awards actively support part-time work through dedicated programs. This interplay allows students to gain invaluable Canadian work experience, which is a cornerstone for many permanent residency streams, particularly the Canadian Experience Class and various Provincial Nominee Programs.

Navigating this journey requires diligent adherence to immigration regulations, strategic job searching, and a keen awareness of potential scams. By leveraging available resources, maintaining academic excellence, and proactively planning their career trajectory, international students can successfully integrate into Canadian society and build a promising future.