Work in Canada with a Student Visa: Rules, Limits & Tips (2026)

Canada, a North American country known for its natural beauty and for being one of the countries with the best quality of life in the world, offers endless opportunities for foreigners who wish to embark on an adventure in one of its beautiful cities. Furthermore, the possibility of learning English makes it even more attractive.

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Do you dream of traveling to Canada, specifically to one of its major cities like Montreal, Toronto, or Vancouver? Now’s the time to make it a reality! Book your plane ticket and don’t hesitate! Here on this blog, you’ll find everything you need, starting with discovering the different types of visas this beautiful northern country offers. But remember, you need a visa to begin your adventure.

Canada is waiting for you

The student visa in Canada is one of the most sought-after visas, as it allows you to travel to another country, study and work, learn another language, and meet people from different parts of the world.

This time, we’ll tell you everything you need to know to work with a student visa in this country. What types of work you can do, the salary you can receive depending on the job chosen, the number of hours per week, and in what cases you can or cannot work.

It’s important to consider that each nationality has its own requirements, and your choice will determine your work restrictions. Working in Canada with a student visa is easy; just follow the recommendations below, and everything will become clearer.

How much does a student visa for Canada cost, and what are the different courses available?

First, it’s important that you know the price of a student visa so you won’t be surprised after you’ve already made your decision. A Canadian student visa costs $150 Canadian dollars.

To take the first step, it’s important that you know the price of the different courses, but don’t worry because there are many, and we’re sure that at least one of the options will fit your budget.

Estimated prices for studying in Canada:

The approximate cost of an intensive English course in Canada is $1,100 to $1,600 per month.
A work-study program in Canada costs between $6,500 and $14,000 for the entire program.
The price of a master’s degree in Canada can range from $22,000 to as much as $36,000.
The cost of higher education programs, such as a diploma or certificate, can vary depending on your chosen field of study; an approximate cost can range from $7,000 to $9,000 per semester.

Now that you’ve decided what you want to do, it’s time to start gathering the following documents in order to apply for a student visa:

Valid passport
Enrollment in the course or university you wish to study at in Canada (the educational institution you choose must be accredited by the government).
Having a visa that allows you to study in Canada.
Medical examinations
Criminal record
Show bank statements
Motivational letter
Certificate of higher education studies

What type of visa do I need to study and work in Canada?

Since 2014, the Canadian government has prohibited international students from working while studying a language course, so if you wish to study and work in Canada, you must enroll in a vocational training course, college, or university.

Now, if your study program is one that allows you to legally study and work in Canada, you will have the possibility of working 20 hours per week during the school term or full-time during holidays.

What is the minimum wage in Canada?

Canada is among the top 40 countries in the world with the highest per capita income, so it doesn’t make working and studying at the same time difficult. No one says doing both simultaneously is an easy task, especially if you’re a full-time student, but we believe that studying and working in Canada can give you the stability you need, especially in developed countries.

The minimum wage will depend on each province, but it ranges from $11.06 Canadian dollars to $16 Canadian dollars. If you want to know the numbers more precisely, the official government website offers a table with all the updated data. Now, considering the minimum wage paid and the 20 hours you can work, you could earn around 800 CAD per month. Not bad, right?

Now, if you’re wondering about salaries for professional careers, LinkedIn will make your research easier, and you can find out how much you could earn.

What types of jobs can I apply for while I’m in Canada?

Working in Canada on a student visa won’t be a limitation! Canada has thousands of job opportunities, and its indicators show this. Its unemployment rate is 7.4%, and GDP grew 10% in the first quarter of the previous year.

There are many jobs waiting for you. If you think your English isn’t very good, don’t be discouraged, because there are many opportunities. You just need to show your personality, explore the options, and decide which one to dedicate yourself to during your stay in the country.

Now, if your English level is intermediate/advanced, you’ll have more opportunities to find work related to what you studied previously or are currently studying. Just give it a try! You have nothing to lose by trying.

Here is a list of some of the most common temporary jobs for foreigners in Canada:

Barista: If you enjoy and have the skill to make coffee, this is the option for you. It’s a fun job and often allows you to interact with customers to improve your English.

Hotel or restaurant host: This job requires presence, personality, and a good command of English. You are the person who welcomes guests and customers, so you are the first face the customer will see.

Reception Assistant / Receptionist: This position will also allow you to practice your English, and you will be under the supervision of the receptionist. Now, upon reaching this prominent position, you will be in charge of customer service, answering phones and providing the best service. Customer service experience is required for these positions.

Waiter/Waitress: This option is one of the most common when foreigners have just arrived in a new country. In Canada, salaries are often not very high, as you supplement them with tips that are around 10% to 15%.

Sous Chef: Working as a sous chef isn’t just about knowing how to cook; it’s also about being very methodical, as the organization of the place depends on your skills. Your job also involves guiding your team in the best direction and providing the necessary care in the preparation of all foods. This job is highly valued in resorts, so if this is the place you’re interested in, don’t think twice.

Housekeeper: This person works to keep hotel rooms sparkling clean. It’s a kind of housekeeping job, but they only take care of the rooms and need to make sure everything is in order to receive guests. If your intention is to practice your English, this type of work is not highly recommended, as there isn’t much interaction. Often you may end up working alone.

Kitchen assistant: This person helps with all aspects of food preparation. If you enjoy cooking and have never worked in a restaurant, this position is definitely for you. You’ll need to perform the most basic tasks before preparation, but at the same time it allows you to learn to cook, prepare new dishes and also allows you to practice your English, often in high-pressure environments.

Washing dishes: This option is also quite common when you arrive in a foreign country and your language level isn’t very high. There’s zero interaction with customers, but at the same time, being close to the kitchen allows you to be part of a work environment where dialogue is sufficient.

Cleaning: This position is not the same as that of a housekeeper. It’s the cleaning professional who takes care of the premises in question, ensuring everything runs smoothly. Furthermore, there are many options for jobs such as domestic or office cleaning.

How do I find a job in Canada?

If you don’t know where to start looking for work, here are some places that can help you find the best option for you.

These are the recommended websites for finding work in Canada:

You also have the option of joining a community; for example, on Facebook you will find many groups of international students who, like you, have decided to emigrate to Canada and live a nomadic lifestyle. Joining these communities will make finding a job in Canada easier.

I work in Canada
Opportunity in Canada

Now, if you’ve already decided you want to live in Canada and want a broader overview of how to work in this country, what the requirements are to apply, or how to apply, we recommend you explore our website and search for “working in Canada,” where you can find everything you need to know.

You already know that if you have any questions, you can contact us, and we will guide you as needed, but it is also important that you always consult official websites, one of which in this case would be the official website of the Canadian government. Here you can resolve any other questions you may have. What are you waiting for? Apply for the 2026 student visa; Canada is waiting for you!