The short answer: not legally during academic sessions. Here is the full picture of what the rules actually say and when more hours are possible.
The Current Off-Campus Work Limit
International students in Canada are limited to 24 hours per week of off-campus work during regular academic sessions. This is the rule as of 2024, and it continues in 2026.
Working more than 24 hours off-campus per week during the academic term is a violation of your study permit conditions — regardless of what your employer offers or agrees to.
When Can Students Work More Hours?
There are specific situations where more than 24 hours — or even unlimited hours — are permitted:
During Scheduled Breaks
During your institution’s official scheduled breaks (summer, winter, reading week), there is no hour limit. You can work 40, 50, or 60 hours per week during these periods if you choose. This is the most straightforward way to significantly increase your earnings as a student.
On-Campus Work
On-campus work has no weekly hour limit at all. If your institution employs you directly or a business physically on campus hires you, you can work as many hours as that arrangement allows — in addition to up to 24 hours off-campus.
Co-op Work Permits
If your program has a mandatory co-op or internship component, you can apply for a co-op work permit. This permit allows full-time work during your co-op term — separate from the 24-hour off-campus limit. However, co-op work cannot exceed 50% of your total program duration without affecting your PGWP eligibility.
Why the Limit Was Restored After COVID
During the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath, Canada temporarily lifted the 24-hour weekly limit for international students, allowing unlimited off-campus work. This was a response to labour shortages across the country.
The temporary unlimited hours policy ended in 2024, and the 24-hour cap was reinstated. IRCC’s position is that study permits are issued for the purpose of studying — not primarily for working — and the hour limit reflects that.
The Consequences of Working Over the Limit
Working more than 24 hours per week during academic sessions:
- Violates your study permit conditions
- Can result in your study permit being cancelled
- Can result in a removal order
- Will be flagged in IRCC’s system and may affect your future immigration applications — including your PGWP application and Express Entry profile
IRCC has access to tax and employment records. Working over the limit is not simply a theoretical risk.
Practical Tips for Maximizing Earnings Within the Limit
- Front-load your work hours during summer break — work full-time for 4 months and bank the income for the academic year
- Look for higher-paying on-campus roles (research assistant positions, tutoring, teaching assistant roles) where hours are more flexible and sometimes better compensated
- Apply for bursaries, awards, and emergency student funding at your institution — many go unclaimed
- Look for co-op placements within your program that provide full-time work authorization during the placement term
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: If I work 30 hours one week and 18 hours the next, is the average okay?
A: No — the 24-hour limit applies on a per-week basis, not as an average. Each individual week must stay at or below 24 hours during the academic term.
Q: Can I work 24 hours off-campus AND additional hours on-campus?
A: Yes — on-campus hours and off-campus hours are counted separately. You can work up to 24 hours off-campus plus additional on-campus hours in the same week.
Q: My employer is pressuring me to work more than 24 hours. What should I do?
A: Decline — your immigration status is more valuable than additional income. Explain your permit limits to your employer. A compliant employer will respect them; a non-compliant one is not worth the risk to your future in Canada.
Bottom Line
International students cannot legally work more than 24 hours per week off-campus during academic sessions in 2026. The limit is real and enforced. Maximize your earnings during scheduled breaks (unlimited hours) and on-campus, and use the academic term to focus on studies and building your Canadian work experience within legal limits.
