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Working off campus

Can I work off campus?

You can work off campus if you meet the following conditions:

  • The conditions on your study permit state that you can work on/off campus. 
  • You're enrolled as a full-time student.
  • You have a valid study permit.
  • You’ve started studying.

How many hours can I work?

Undergraduate international students can work up to 20 hours a week off campus during regular academic sessions and work full-time off campus during regularly scheduled breaks (such as winter holidays, spring/summer break, and reading break as stated in the Academic Calendar). 

Graduate international students can work up to 20 hours per week off-campus during regular academic sessions and work full-time off-campus during University scheduled breaks (such as winter holidays and reading week as stated in the Academic Schedule).  However, there is no spring/summer break for graduate students. Spring/summer is considered as one semester. Even though you only register for a 6-week spring or summer course, you are enrolled full-time throughout the whole spring/summer semester. 

Please note that the days between two academic semesters are considered as scheduled break at Ontario Tech University. For example, if the winter semester ends on April 27, 2024 and the spring/summer semester starts on May 9, 2024, then the days between April 28, 2024 and May 8, 2024 are considered as scheduled break. The semester ends when final exam period ends.

Learn more about off-campus work on the Government of Canada website.

Temporary policy

Under a temporary public policy, you may be eligible to work without a work permit for more than 20 hours per week off campus during regular academic sessions. Detailed information regarding this temporary policy can be found on the Government of Canada website. 

However, you are still expected to balance your study and work commitments.