Can International Students Work Over 40 Hours in Canada in 2024?

Studying in Canada can be a life-changing opportunity, offering academic, personal and professional growth. Canada’s universities and colleges attract many international students—over a million were enrolled in 2023, an increase of 27% from 2022. At the same time, the federal government has recently capped the number of new undergraduate study permits for the next two years, citing housing challenges and concerns about problematic institutions. For 2024 the cap is set at 360,000 new permits, about 35% fewer than in 2023. Renewals of existing study permits are not affected.

If you receive a study permit, plan for significant tuition and living costs. Many international students may work while studying, but restrictions apply to full-time work during academic terms. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to reduce expenses and secure financial support. The strategies below can help you manage costs and maximize the value of your education in Canada.

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What’s the average tuition cost for international students in Canada?

According to Statistics Canada, international undergraduate students paid an average of $38,081 in tuition for the 2023/2024 academic year—roughly 5.5 times the average domestic undergraduate tuition of $7,076. International graduate students paid an average of $22,061 versus $7,573 for domestic graduate students. The higher fees help explain why scholarships and bursaries for international students are so highly sought.

While many provinces limit annual tuition increases for domestic students, that protection often does not extend to international students. Still, EduCanada notes that tuition fees in Canada are generally lower than in places like Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Combined with scholarships, bursaries and paid co-op programs, international students can find ways to reduce their net cost of study.

How international students can get financial aid in Canada

Although studying abroad can be expensive, many government and educational organizations offer financial support to international students. Key approaches include applying for bursaries and scholarships, claiming eligible government benefits if you qualify as a resident for tax purposes, and using on-campus and community resources.

Apply to bursaries and scholarships

Bursaries and scholarships are a primary source of financial aid. Bursaries are typically need-based and may also consider academic performance. Scholarships usually reward academic achievement, leadership, volunteer service or specific eligibility factors such as field of study or country of origin.

Resources such as Scholarships Canada and EduCanada compile listings of bursaries and scholarships available to international students. Eligibility varies by award—age, academic program, and country of residence can all affect qualification. For the most accurate and current information, contact your college or university’s financial aid office.

Claim benefits from the Canadian government

Some international students meet the Canada Revenue Agency’s criteria for residency for tax purposes. Residency status affects how your part-time income is taxed and whether you can access government benefits. Factors indicating residency include having a Canadian home, immediate family in Canada, Canadian bank accounts, a provincial health card or a Canadian driver’s licence. To access many benefits, you’ll need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) and may have to file an income tax return.

International students who are tax residents may be eligible for federal and provincial credits and rebates. Examples include:

Goods and Services Tax / Harmonized Sales Tax credit

The GST/HST credit helps offset sales tax costs for low- and modest-income residents and is paid quarterly. Eligibility and payment amounts depend on marital status, the number of eligible children and family income. For the period July 2023 to June 2024, eligible amounts included:

$496 if single
$650 if married or in a common-law partnership
$171 for each child under 19

Climate Action Incentive Payment

The Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP) provides quarterly support in provinces where the federal carbon pricing backstop applies, helping offset costs related to the carbon tax. Quarterly payments vary by province and household composition. To receive CAIP, ensure you file your income tax return on time.

Find more benefits

Government tools like Benefits Finder can help you see which supports you may qualify for. Answer a few questions to get a list of federal and provincial programs relevant to your situation.

3 ways international students can make money in Canada

1. Take advantage of banking incentives

Opening a Canadian bank account is one of the first steps after arrival. Banks often offer new-account bonuses for students and free or low-fee student chequing accounts. Features like zero monthly fees, cashback on credit cards and free Interac e-Transfers can lower everyday costs. Using a student credit card responsibly also helps build a Canadian credit history, which is useful for future borrowing or securing rental agreements.

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2. Sell used textbooks

Selling used textbooks is a simple way to recover some expenses. Textbooks can often resell for substantial amounts, and options include campus buyback programs, online marketplaces and direct sales to other students. This both reduces your costs and helps peers find cheaper materials.

3. Rent out a parking spot or storage locker

If your housing includes a parking spot or storage locker you don’t use, consider renting it out. Many buildings allow listings on resident bulletin boards or community groups. Depending on location and demand, renting a parking spot or a storage locker can provide a steady monthly supplement to your income.

Can international students work more than 40 hours in Canada?

Work-hour rules have changed recently. A temporary measure during the pandemic allowed eligible students to work more than 40 hours per week, but that policy has ended. Outside scheduled academic breaks, international students are expected to adhere to the current off-campus hour limits set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). During scheduled academic breaks, students can work unlimited hours. IRCC has indicated plans to adjust permitted off-campus hours in future policy updates.

Common work options for international students include:

On-campus work: Full-time students can work on campus without a separate work permit in roles such as peer tutor, research assistant, library worker or residence monitor.
Off-campus work: With the appropriate study permit conditions, eligible students can work off-campus during the school year within the permitted weekly hour limits and without limits during official breaks.
Co‑ops and internships: If your program requires a work placement, a co-op or internship work permit may be required.
Post-graduation work permit (PGWP): After graduation, you may qualify for a PGWP that permits you to work in Canada for up to three years, improving career prospects and potential pathways to permanent residence.

How can I gain professional experience related to my field in Canada?

Co-op placements and internships are ideal for gaining field-related experience. Paid co-op positions allow you to apply classroom learning in professional settings while earning income. These roles often run full-time for several months, providing more income and deeper experience than typical part-time student jobs.

Co-op programs can be mutually beneficial: students gain skills and professional networks while employers get motivated contributors. For example, some co-op programs alternate academic terms with full-time work terms; reported earnings per four-month work term can vary widely depending on the role and location.

Can international students get loans in Canada?

International students are not eligible for federal student loans administered by the National Student Loans Service Centre because government student loans require Canadian citizenship, permanent residency or specific provincial residency qualifications. However, private lenders and banks may offer student lines of credit or private loans to international students. These products often require a Canadian co-signer or collateral, and terms vary. Carefully review interest rates, repayment schedules and eligibility before borrowing.

Living on a tight budget: one student’s experience

Yazmin Pascual Dominguez, a post‑graduate digital marketing student at George Brown College, describes studying in Canada as both rewarding and financially challenging. She originally came from Mexico to practice English and chose to stay. Yazmin manages costs carefully: she shares a four-bedroom rental with four roommates, applies for scholarships and grants, and works part-time.

Each roommate pays $648 per month, including utilities, and Yazmin pays approximately $33 for internet. To reduce daily expenses she uses a low-cost prepaid phone plan and a discounted student transit pass. She has also opened student bank accounts that included one-time bonuses when she met account requirements—small incentives that added up toward her budget.

Use a combination of funding and supports available to international students in Canada

Use every resource your school and community offer. Campus international student offices and financial aid offices provide guidance on scholarships, bursaries, paid work opportunities and tax filing. Many campuses also offer food banks, clothing swaps and student-run events that help keep living costs down while building social connections.

Combining scholarships, part-time work, banking incentives and available government benefits—when eligible—can make studying in Canada more affordable and sustainable. Seek advice from campus services early and often to make the most of the supports available to international students.

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