Working in Canada
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Social Insurance NumberWorking while you study | On campus | Off campus
Working after you complete your studies
As an international student at the University of Alberta, you may be eligible to work during and after your studies. This page provides essential information on working hours, requirements, and permits.
Social Insurance Number
A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is required for anyone working in Canada. International students must have a valid study permit and meet work eligibility requirements to apply for a SIN. Learn how to apply and what documents you need.
Working while you study
You may work while you study, depending on your registration status and employment location. If you plan to work while you study, you do not need to apply for a work permit to work in Canada. However, your study permit should include remarks allowing you to work. It must state "May accept employment" or "May work."
You can work either on-campus or off-campus. Understand eligibility, work limits, and how to balance work with academics. You cannot work before your studies begin.
Learn more about working on-campus or off-campus
Working after you complete your studies
After completing your program, you may be eligible to work full-time. You need to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Understand the rules for transitioning from student to worker status.
Undergraduate Students
If you are eligible to work during your final semester, you can continue to work 24 hours per week off campus until you receive the program completion letter. Once your completion letter is issued, you must stop working.
Your completion letter will not be automatically issued. You should request your completion letter once all your final grades are posted to your Beartracks account.
Graduate Students
If you are eligible to work during your final semester, you can continue to work 24 hours per week off campus until you receive an email from the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (FGPS) that confirms the completion of your program.
Your completion letter will not be automatically issued. You will need to submit the Completion Letter Request Form.
Working On-Campus
“On-campus” work refers to employment facilities within the boundaries of the University of Alberta's campuses. You can work on campus as a teacher or research assistant, and you can be located off-campus at a library, hospital, or research facility affiliated with the institution, permitted if work is strictly related to the student’s research grant.
Who can be your employer?
On-campus employers may include
- The University of Alberta
- Faculty
- Student organization
- Yourself (if self-employed and operating on campus)
- Private business located on campus
- A private contractor providing services to the U of A
Can I work on campus?
You can work on campus without a work permit if you:
- Are a full-time student at the U of A
- Have a valid study permit with the remarks "May accept employment" or "May work"
- Have a Social Insurance Number (SIN).
You must stop working on campus if you no longer meet these requirements such as if you stop studying full-time or your study permit expires.
Where can I work?
You can work at any employment facility located within the boundary of the University of Alberta's campuses including the North Campus, Enterprise Square, Campus Saint-Jean, and South Campus. For more details, refer to the North Campus map
How many hours can I work?
There is no maximum limit on the number of hours you can work on campus work. However, your work hours must comply with Alberta's provincial labour standards.
Can I work during the academic break?
If you were enrolled full-time student in the previous Winter term and are enrolled full-time in the upcoming Fall term, you are eligible to work during the spring/summer break.
Working off Campus
Many international students are eligible to work off-campus without a separate work permit.
Who can work off-campus?
You can work off-campus without a work permit if you:
- Have a valid study permit with the remarks "May accept employment" or "May work"
- Are enrolled full-time in an academic, vocational, or professional training program that leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate
- Are studying in an eligible program (English Language School students are not eligible)
How many hours can I work?
- During academic terms (Fall and Winter): Up to 24 hours per week
- During scheduled breaks (Spring, Summer, Winter Break, and Reading Weeks): Full-time
- After program completion: If you apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) within 90 days of completing your program, you may continue working full-time while your PGWP application is being processed.
- If you do not apply for a PGWP, you must stop working off-campus as soon as your program ends.
If you have a part-time registration status during your final term of study, you continue to be eligible to work.
ESL, Exchange, and visiting students may work on campus if they hold a valid study permit and are registered full-time. They must apply for study permits outside of Canada and have the required work conditions on their study permit.
Exchange and visiting students may work off-campus if they hold a valid study permit with the remarks "May accept employment" or "May work" and are registered full-time. You must apply for study permits from outside Canada and have the required work conditions in your study permit.
You are not eligible to work off-campus because your program of study does not meet the eligibility requirements for working off-campus and will not lead to a degree.
You are eligible to work on campus, provided you are in full-time studies (9 credits or more) and have a valid study permit containing the remarks "May accept employment" or "May work."
University of Alberta graduate students who meet all the eligibility requirements can work an unlimited number of hours per week on campus and up to 24 hours a week off campus during regular academic sessions.
- Thesis-based graduate students are permitted to work 24 hours per week off-campus year-round and full-time during regularly scheduled breaks (reading breaks and winter break).
- Course-based graduate students are permitted to work 24 hours a week off-campus during academic sessions and full-time during regularly scheduled breaks (reading breaks, winter break, and Spring and Summer may also be considered scheduled breaks for some course-based students - students to check with their program for confirmation).
Part-time registration periods or periods of authorized leaves that exceed 150 days may harm future post-graduation work permit applications and could be interpreted as not "studying continuously." Students must provide additional documentation to explain these periods when applying for a post-graduation work permit.