Working in Canada : Southern Alberta Institute of Technology


Working on campus

To work on SAIT's campus, you must be a full-time student and have a valid study permit. Your study permit must state that you are authorized to work on campus. You must also have a valid social insurance number (SIN).


How many hours can I work on campus?

There are no hourly restrictions when working on campus. You can work on campus in addition to working off campus, as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements for working on campus

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Working off campus

To work off-campus without a work permit, you must meet all of these requirements:


  • You’re a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI) 
  • You’re enrolled in a post-secondary academic, vocational, or professional training program
  • Your study program
  • is at least 6 months long and
  • leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate
  • You’ve started studying 
  • You have a social insurance number (SIN)
  • Your study permit contain one of the following remarks:
  • May work 24 hours per week off campus or full-time during regular breaks if meeting criteria outlined in paragraph 186(v) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR).
  • May accept employment on or off campus if meeting eligibility criteria, per paragraph 186(f), (v) or (w) of the IRPR, and must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.


Off-Campus Work Hours for International Students

Current international students who meet off-campus work eligibility requirements are permitted to work up to 24 hours per week during the regular school term/semester.


For detailed information regarding current work eligibility regulations for international students, please click here.


Co-op work permit

Some programs at SAIT require students to participate in a mandatory co-op, internship, or practicum work placement. For international students, this work must be an essential part of their studies, and they must apply for and obtain a co-op work permit before starting the placement.


Please note that a co-op work permit is only valid for the designated work placement and cannot be used for any other off-campus work.


If you've started your program of study and your program has a co-op, internship, or practicum work placement but you don't have a co-op work permit, contact the International Center at international.advising@sait.ca. 


Visit the IRCC website for further information about a co-op work permit.


If you're on a scheduled break

To work off campus during a scheduled break, students must hold full-time status during the academic session before and after their regularly scheduled break.


If you're on an authorized leave

 If you’re on an authorized leave from your studies, or you’re switching schools and you’re not studying, you cannot use your study permit work authorization. You can only return to work once you’re back to studying full-time.


Working after graduation

Upon graduation, international students may be eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). This work permit is an open work permit and allows graduates to work for any employer.


Visit the IRCC website and SAIT PGWP webpage for further information about a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).