Working in Canada

In Canada, the definition of work for immigration purposes is not based on payment, but how competitive your activities are in the labour market. Volunteer positions, internships, and unpaid work might be considered work, even if you are not paid. For example, if you volunteer for a position that is normally performed by paid employees , such as photocopying or customer service, it is considered working in Canada.

If your volunteer position or internship is considered work, you must have the right work authorization before you start. Unpaid work hours are counted towards the 20 hours per week of off-campus work you may be eligible for as a full-time student.

Working for an employer located outside Canada while you are in Canada is outside the jurisdiction of IRCC.

As per the Canadian immigration regulations, long-distance work (by telephone or Internet) done by a temporary resident, such as a student whose employer is outside Canada and who gets paid from outside Canada, is not considered to be “work” in Canada.

If you’d like to start your own business in British Columbia, please see Small Business BC for helpful resources. TWU RCICs or RISIAs are not able to provide advice on taxes or setting up a business.

If you are self-employed, be sure to track your hours of work. Be careful not to work more hours than you are authorized to.