Working in Canada

The Social Insurance Number (SIN)

A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a nine digit number issued by Service Canada, a Canadian government department.

If you intend to work in Canada, you must have a SIN. Click here to apply for your SIN.

On-campus work

You don't need a work permit to work on-campus. International students who are enrolled as full-time students can work unlimited hours on-campus, based on their study permit.

Please also check your study permit to ensure it allows you to work off-campus.

Off-campus work

International students who are in a program that requires a study permit do not need a work permit to work off- campus while they are attending Emily Carr as a full-time student.

All international students who meet the eligibility requirements can work off-campus for up to 20 hours per week during academic semesters, and unlimited hours during your program’s scheduled break.

You may work more than 20 hours during the regular academic term if you meet one of the two conditions:

1. If you submitted your study permit (or extension) application on or before October 7, 2022, you can work more than 20 hours per week off campus from November 15, 2022 to April 30, 2024, if you meet any of the following situations:

• You are a full-time (or part-time if it’s your final academic semester) student studying at a designated learning institution (DLI) school.
• Your study permit has expired, but you have the maintained status and are a full-time (or part-time if it’s your final academic semester) student at a designated learning institution (DLI) school.
• Your study permit has been approved, but you have not arrived in Canada yet.

2. If you submitted your study permit (or extension) application between October 8, 2022 and December 7, 2023, you can work more than 20 hours per week off campus from January 1, 2024, to April 30, 2024, if you meet any of the following situations:

• You are a full-time (or part-time if it’s your final academic semester) student studying at a designated learning institution (DLI) school.
• Your study permit has expired, but you have the maintained status and are a full-time (or part-time if it’s your final academic semester) student at a designated learning institution (DLI) school.
• Your study permit has been approved, but you have not arrived in Canada yet.

Please check your study permit conditions to ensure you are eligible for off-campus work.