You cannot work off campus while you are an ESL student. If you are taking a degree program after you complete ESL, you may be eligible to start working off campus once you have started your new program.

To be eligible to work, you must normally be a full-time student. There is an exception if you are in your final term, you don’t need more credits to graduate and you have been full-time every term prior to your final term. In this case, eligible students may continue to work while studying part-time in the final term.

Normally to be eligible to work, you must be a full-time student. There are two exceptions listed below when you might not be enrolled, but you would be eligible to work under the conditions of your study permit.

Scheduled Academic Breaks

An academic break is a break that is common to all students in your program. Examples include the reading weeks and the Winter closure of the University. The Spring/Summer is also an academic break for most undergraduate programs and some graduate programs. If you are unsure if your program has an academic break in the Spring/Summer, contact your Academic Advisor/Graduate Studies.

To be eligible to work during an academic break, you must be registered full-time both before and after the break.

Between Programs

If you have completed one program and you are starting a new program within 150 days, you may be eligible to work full-time off campus between your programs. To be eligible, you must meet all the requirements:

• You were eligible to work off campus in your previous program
• You have a valid study permit or maintained status
• You have written confirmation of program completion
• You have a letter of acceptance to a new full-time study program at a DLI

Other Gaps in Studies

During any other gap in studies, you cannot work at all. This includes an approved leave of absence. If you need to take a gap in studies, you should reach out to uhip@brocku.ca to find out what impact there may be to your health insurance coverage while you are not enrolled.

IRCC limits off-campus work to no more than 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions. However, please note:

• You are a student first. Your priority must be succeeding in your studies.
• Graduate programs may have a limit on the number of hours you can work and still be considered full-time in your graduate program.

Yes, if you are eligible for both and not working more hours than you are allowed.

It depends on what you will be doing. Visit the IRCC website to learn what is considered work.

You can request to have the work conditions added to your study permit if you are eligible to work off campus and do not have this condition listed on your study permit. The type of application you need to make depends on whether you were eligible to work off campus when you received your study permit.

Eligible when study permit was issued: You can apply to amend your study permit.

Became eligible after your study permit was issued: You will need to apply for a study permit extension. In your application, you will need to explain how you are now eligible and ask for the condition to be added.