Working while studying

Work experience can help you prepare for your career, gain exposure to the Canadian workplace, earn extra money, and form a closer connection to the local community.

Before accepting a job, ensure that you are authorized to work in Canada and know the type of occupation and the number of hours you are permitted to work.

Working on campus

International students may work on NorQuest campuses if opportunities are available and if they are authorized to do so. The number of hours you work on campus is not limited by IRCC. You may be eligible to work on campus while studying if:

• you have a valid study permit that includes a condition that says you may accept employment on campus; or, you applied to extend your study permit that had the work authorization and you are on the maintained status
• you are enrolled full-time at NorQuest College in any program (including ESL, Open Studies, and Academic Upgrading)
  • exceptions to the full-time status requirement:
    • the final term of the program is allowed to be part-time
    • part-time enrolment is allowed during the program’s official scheduled break
• your program has already started

On-campus job opportunities are competitive; they include:

• Food Services: to apply for Food Services, please visit each company’s website for open positions
• The Core: positions are posted on Careers at NorQuest
• SANQC: you can find job opportunities with the Student Association

Working off campus

You may be eligible to work off campus while completing your studies if:

• you have a valid study permit that includes a condition that says you may accept employment off campus; or, you applied to extend your study permit that had the work authorization and you are on the maintained status
• you are in a post-secondary program that leads to a diploma or certificate which is at least six months in duration
• you are enrolled full-time at NorQuest College
  • exceptions to the full-time status requirement:
    • the final term of the program is allowed to be part-time
    • part-time enrolment is allowed during the program’s official scheduled break
• your program has already started

Guidelines for eligible students working off campus:

• under the regular policy, you can work a maximum of 20 hours per week during the academic term
• you can work unlimited hours during regularly scheduled breaks if you are a full-time student in the term before the break and are going to be a full-time student in the term after the break; or, you are a part-time student in the final term in the term after the break.

Career resources at NorQuest:

• CareerQuest Hub: check out our NorQuest student job board portal to help you get started on your job search
• Career Centre: prepare yourself for finding off-campus employment and learn how to plan for career success
• Career Coaching: you can meet with a NorQuest career coach for free while you are a student at NorQuest and up to 6 months after graduation

Working while studying

Your primary purpose in Canada is to be a student. Please prioritize your personal well-being and academic success before choosing to work. Remember:

• your grades must be high enough for you to meet graduation requirements
• depending on your program area’s policy, failing courses may result in withdrawal from your program
• you must maintain full-time status in every mandatory term.

Employee rights

Even though you are not a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident, your rights as a worker are protected under Canadian law. Learn more about your rights as a worker and what you should expect from your employer.

Below are NorQuest resources that may help you recognize and report unfair treatment at work:

• SANQC legal plan
• Norquest Career Centre
• Centre for Growth and Harmony

Volunteering

Volunteering is highly appreciated in Canada and it is a great way to be involved in the community. It allows students to gain valuable work experience, strengthens their resumes, and enhances future employment opportunities.

Depending on the nature of the work, volunteering may be considered working by IRCC, even if you are not being paid. Please review IRCC’s What is Work webpage to help determine if your planned volunteering may be deemed working and then you would need to count these as your work hours within the limit of your work hours eligibility.

Important! It is illegal to study and work in Canada without appropriate authorization. Working illegally could result in:

• inadmissibility and deportation
• refusals on future immigration applications
• mistreatment by your employer (you will have difficulty defending your rights as a worker and they could try to refuse to pay you, coerce you into accepting dangerous working conditions, etc.)