Studying in Canada can provide more than classroom learning. Depending on your program, enrolment status and study permit conditions, you may also be eligible to gain workplace experience while completing your studies.
Eligible international students can work up to 24 hours per week off campus during regular academic terms and unlimited hours during qualifying scheduled breaks. Separate rules apply to on-campus employment, required co-op placements, and work after graduation.
At VanWest College, we offer English and career-focused programs in Vancouver and Kelowna. Our goal is to help you choose a study pathway that matches your language, academic and professional objectives while clearly understanding the work rules connected to that pathway.
Yes, eligible international students can work while studying in Canada without applying for a separate work permit for standard on-campus or off-campus employment. However, eligibility is not automatic.
Your study permit must include a condition allowing work, and you must continue meeting Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada requirements. For off-campus work, students generally need full-time enrolment at a designated learning institution in an eligible post-secondary academic, vocational or professional program.
Depending on your eligibility, you may be able to:
Most international students need a study permit before beginning a longer-term Canadian program. A study permit authorizes study in Canada and includes conditions that you must follow throughout your enrolment. A typical study permit application may require:
We offer programs at two British Columbia locations:
International student employment falls into several categories. Each category has separate conditions.
| Type of Work | Main Rule |
| Off-campus Work | Up to 24 hours per week during regular terms when eligible |
| Work during scheduled breaks | Unlimited off-campus hours during qualifying breaks |
| On-campus Work | No weekly hour limit when eligibility requirements are met |
| Co-op or Internship | Must be an approved placement required by the study program |
| Work after Graduation | Requires valid work authorization |
Eligible international students can work up to 24 hours per week off-campus during a regular school term or semester. You may have more than one job, but the combined hours across all jobs must remain within the 24-hour weekly limit. You are responsible for tracking your hours and proving that you continue to meet the conditions of your study permit. Working more than 24 hours during a regular term is a study permit violation and can affect your current status and future immigration applications. Paid employment, commission-based work and qualifying self-employment all count toward the limit. Remote work for an employer outside Canada does not currently count toward the 24-hour off-campus limit, provided you continue meeting your study permit conditions.
Eligible students may work unlimited off-campus hours during an official break scheduled by the DLI, such as a summer holiday, winter holiday or reading week. To qualify, you must be a full-time student before and after the break. If your program does not include scheduled breaks, the 24-hour weekly limit continues to apply.
Eligible students can work on-campus without a separate work permit when the study permit includes a condition allowing employment. On-campus eligibility generally requires:
Students enrolled only in English or French as a second-language program are not eligible for off-campus work under the standard international student work rules. ESL-only students are also not eligible for a student work placement through an ESL program.
Our General English course helps build speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. Our English for Academic Purposes course prepares students for academic English demands. These programs can support future study goals, but ESL enrolment alone does not provide standard off-campus work authorization.
Work eligibility may change after moving into an eligible post-secondary program and receiving updated study permit conditions. Speak with a VanWest advisor to find the English pathway that fits your goals.
A co-op program combines academic study with a required workplace placement. The placement allows you to apply classroom knowledge in a professional setting and gain experience connected to your program. For an international student work placement to qualify, it must:
Our Vocational College Programs combine academic study with paid workplace experience. We promote dedicated placement support through more than 200 partner companies. Our Co-op team supports the process through:
Choose your study pathway according to your main objective.
| Your Goal | VanWest Pathway |
| Improve everyday English | General English |
| Prepare for future academic study | English for Academic Purposes |
| Explore English course options | English as a Second Language (ESL) program |
| Gain career training and workplace experience | Vocational College Programs |
| Study business and management | Business Management Co-op Diploma |
| Study sales, commerce and marketing | Commerce & Marketing Co-op Diploma |
| Study logistics and operations | Supply Chain Management Co-op Diploma |
| Study tourism and guest services | Hospitality Management Co-op Diploma |
| Complete a shorter service pathway | Professional Customer Service Co-op Certificate |
Choose the study pathway first. Work eligibility depends on your program type, enrolment status and permit conditions—not simply on your campus or city. VanWest’s current English and vocational program options are listed across our program pages.
Start with your primary goal. Choose English study for language improvement or a career-focused co-op program for vocational training and required workplace experience.
Check the school’s DLI status, locations, program duration, admission requirements and work eligibility. Not every DLI program provides the same work or PGWP options.
Check academic prerequisites and English requirements. Our Admissions section provides registration, fee and calendar information.
After meeting the requirements and completing the application process, you will need a valid letter of acceptance for your study permit application.
Submit the required documents, including a provincial attestation letter when applicable and proof of sufficient funds. Apply before travelling unless an IRCC exception allows another process.
Check the work wording printed on your study permit. Do not begin employment until your program has started and your permit conditions allow work.
A Social Insurance Number, or SIN, is a nine-digit number required to work legally and receive employment income. Temporary-resident SINs begin with “9” and expire with the immigration document authorizing work.
Track every off-campus work hour and keep academic enrolment active. Use the correct rules for regular terms, scheduled breaks, on-campus employment and co-op placements.
When co-op is required by your program, complete the academic and workplace-preparation requirements before beginning the approved placement.
Part-time employment may help with some daily expenses, but it should not be your main plan for paying tuition and living costs.
Before applying, budget for:
IRCC requires proof of sufficient financial support as part of the study permit process. Work availability, wages and weekly schedules can vary, so future employment income is not a reliable substitute for required funds.
Review our current Tuition and Fees and housing options before building your budget. Our published fees are listed in Canadian dollars and include separate rates for English and vocational programs.
Completing a Canadian study program does not automatically authorize you to continue working. You need valid work authorization after graduation.
A Post-Graduation Work Permit is available only to graduates of eligible programs at eligible DLIs who meet all current IRCC requirements. Graduating from a DLI does not automatically make a student eligible.
Our vocational college programs are not eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program.
A possible exception may apply to eligible students in our Commerce & Marketing Co-op Diploma who transfer to Vancouver Community College’s Bachelor of Hospitality Management degree and successfully complete that degree. PGWP eligibility would still depend on meeting every applicable IRCC requirement.
A study permit, DLI enrolment, co-op placement or Canadian credential does not guarantee a PGWP, permanent employment or permanent residence. Review the current IRCC PGWP requirements before choosing a program.
To protect your student status:
Work outside the permitted conditions can result in loss of student status, future permit refusals or a requirement to leave Canada.
Eligible students can work while studying when the program, enrolment status and study permit meet IRCC requirements.
Eligible students can work while studying when the program, enrolment status and study permit meet IRCC requirements.
Eligible students can work unlimited off-campus hours during an official scheduled break if all conditions are met.
Eligible students can work on-campus without a separate work permit or weekly hour limit.
No. Students enrolled only in ESL or FSL courses are not eligible under the standard off-campus work rules.
No. As of April 1, 2026, eligible post-secondary students do not need a separate co-op work permit for a required student work placement.
Yes. Anyone legally authorized to work in Canada needs a Social Insurance Number.
Yes, but your combined off-campus hours must remain within the 24-hour weekly limit during regular terms.
Part-time work may support some expenses, but hours, wages and job availability are not guaranteed. Plan sufficient funds before applying.
You may work after graduation only when you hold valid work authorization or meet specific rules allowing work while a permit application is being processed.