On Campus Work

Planning to work On-Campus during your studies?

On-Campus Work: What does this mean?

• Immigration Canada Definition

Documents needed

• Valid Study Permit*
• Social Insurance Number

How many hours can I work?

• The number of hours is not specified by Immigration Canada. However, please note that Study Permit holders must be "actively pursuing their course or program of study" - i.e., "making continuous progress towards the completion of their degree". Also, Immigration Quebec requires CAQ holders to remain enrolled full-time for the duration of their studies.

• You may work an unlimited number of work hours during an academic term and scheduled breaks.

Who is eligible?

• Students registered in full-time studies** McGill degree, certificate, diploma students, visiting/exchange students, and who have a valid Study Permit.

• To work during scheduled breaks, students must be registered full-time before and after scheduled breaks.

Who is NOT eligible?

• Students who do not have a valid Study Permit (for example 1 term exchange/visiting students who only have a visitor status)
• Students registered part-time (unless it's their final term of study and they have otherwise maintained full-time status for the duration of their program of study)

Where can you work on campus?

• Find out if you're eligible for the work-study program (usually based on financial need) run by the Scholarships & Student Aid Office (SSAO)
• Look for the "Student & Summer Jobs on campus" page run by the Career & Planning Service (CaPS) including the research opportunities. 

I got the job... Now what?

• Visit Onboarding Central to access practical tips and resources that will help you get the most out of your student employment experience.

* If you are a McGill degree-seeking student, and your Study Permit was issued June 1, 2014, or later, it will likely include conditions and/or remarks that clearly state that you are eligible to work on or off-campus if you meet the eligibility requirements.  This will be necessary in order to be able to apply for a Social Insurance Number.

If you are a McGill degree-seeking student, and your Study Permit does not include a reference to your eligibility to work on or off-campus, you can submit a request for an amendment to your study permit in order to be able to apply for a Social Insurance Number. The Request to Amend can only be submitted by mail - there is no fee for this request -and you can check the current processing time required.

• If you are an undergraduate student: Minimum 12 credits per term (exceptions: scheduled breaks - like Reading Week & Summer - and the final term before graduation, when you are permitted to be registered part-time and still maintain your working privileges)
• If you are a Non-Thesis Masters student:  Minimum 12 credits per term (exceptions: Department scheduled breaks (ask Dept. if unsure) and the final term before graduation, when you are permitted to be registered part-time and still maintain your working privileges)
• If you are in a Graduate Thesis program (Masters, Phd): you are registered full-time in every academic term, including the summer, regardless of the number of credits per term. Note: thesis programs do not have any scheduled breaks.