Off-campus work allows eligible international students to work off-campus while completing their UBC studies. Undergraduate students who meet UBC's definition of "full-time" for immigration purposes may work off campus a maximum of 20 hours per week during the regular academic year (September to April). They may work full-time during academic breaks (summer, Reading Week, and breaks between terms) if they hold full-time status during the academic term prior to, and subsequent to, the academic break.
Graduate students who meet UBC's definition of full-time for immigration purposesare normally considered to have an ongoing, full-time relationship with the university and therefore may work off campus a maximum of 20 hours per week throughout the year, including summer. They may work full-time during Reading Week and breaks between terms.
Some volunteer positions may be also considered work by IRCC. For example, volunteering for a job that is normally performed by paid employees (photocopying, customer service, etc.) is considered work regardless of whether you are paid or not. Review the meaning of work according to the IRCC definition to decide. If your volunteer position is considered work, you must meet the appropriate eligibility criteria and respect the conditions.
Undergraduate students who meet UBC's definition of full-time may work off campus a maximum of 20 hours per week during the regular academic year (September to April). They may work full-time during academic breaks (summer, Reading Week, and breaks between terms) if they hold full-time status during the academic term prior to, and subsequent to, the academic break.
In most cases, you may work off campus starting the first day of the term if you have a valid study permit and you are a full-time international student in a degree, diploma or certificate program at UBC.
Note: Exchange students and visiting international students are not eligible to work off campus but you may be eligible for on-campus work.
Full-time has many definitions at UBC. Visit this page to review UBC's definitions for immigration purposes.
Your study permit also gives you permission to accept on-campus employment as long as you’re registered in full-time studies. There are, however, different conditions you must observe to work on campus. You may simultaneously work on and off campus if you meet the criteria for each.
Co-op permits and off-campus work
A co-op work permit is different from having off-campus work authorization via your study permit. You may simultaneously hold a co-op work permit and work off-campus if you meet the criteria for each.
Once you officially complete your academic program requirements, you need a work permit before you can work on or off campus.
Students who have applied for a post-graduation work permit when their study permit was still valid can work full time (on or off campus) while waiting for their post-graduation work permit application to be processed.
If you are transferring between educational institutions within Canada, either in or out of UBC, you need to login to MyCIC to tell Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that you have transferred.
