As a master's student in Canada, how many hours per week can I work off-campus during the academic term, and what's the estimated monthly earnings at the current minimum wage?
Master's students in Canada can work up to 24 hours a week off campus during the academic term under the current IRCC rule, and at Ontario's minimum wage of 17.60 dollars an hour, that works out to roughly 1,690 dollars a month before tax, rising with province-specific wage rates.
The 24-hour figure is a national cap, but your actual take-home pay depends on which province you study in, since Canada does not set one national minimum wage.
Eligibility and the Weekly Limit
You must be a full-time student at a designated learning institution, enrolled in a programme of at least six months leading to a degree, diploma or certificate, with the correct work condition on your study permit and a valid Social Insurance Number. Under those conditions, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada currently allows up to 24 hours a week off campus during academic terms, with unlimited hours during scheduled school breaks such as summer or winter recess.
What 24 Hours a Week Actually Pays
- Ontario, 17.60 dollars an hour: about 1,690 dollars a month, rising to 17.95 dollars an hour and roughly 1,724 dollars a month from October 1, 2026.
- A lower provincial rate around 17.00 dollars an hour: about 1,632 dollars a month.
- A higher rate around 19.00 dollars an hour: about 1,824 dollars a month.
These are gross figures before income tax, Canada Pension Plan contributions and other deductions, so budget on the net amount being noticeably lower, particularly once you cross basic tax thresholds.
This Information Is Also Available On
Government of Canada, working off campus as an international student guidance; Government of Ontario, minimum wage increase announcement.
My Advice
Do not build your core living budget around part-time earnings; treat this income as a supplement to cover incidentals rather than tuition or rent, since 24 hours a week at minimum wage rarely covers more than a fraction of a Canadian city's living costs. If your province's minimum wage is meaningfully higher than 17 dollars an hour, on-campus or research-assistant roles are often worth checking too, since on-campus work is not subject to the same 24-hour off-campus cap.
More expert answers
Ontario's minimum wage is not fixed for the year, it steps up mid year, so the exact monthly figure you can earn on the maximum 24 hours changes depending on whether you are working before or after 1 October 2026.
The 24 Hour Rule, Precisely
IRCC allows eligible study permit holders to work up to 24 hours a week off campus during regular academic terms, and generally unlimited hours during scheduled school breaks such as summer or winter break, provided the break is officially scheduled by your institution and you remain otherwise eligible. On campus work is not subject to this 24 hour cap at all.
What 24 Hours Actually Pays in Ontario
- From September 2026: C$17.60 an hour, roughly C$422 a week or C$1,830 a month at the full 24 hours.
- From 1 October 2026: C$17.95 an hour, roughly C$432 a week or C$1,872 a month.
- Under 18: Ontario's separate student minimum wage of C$16.60 applies; adult master's students fall under the general rate, not this lower band.
These are gross figures before income tax, CPP and EI deductions, so your actual take home pay will be noticeably lower than the headline weekly number.
This Information Is Also Available On
Government of Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and Ontario's Ministry of Labour minimum wage guidance.
My Advice
Track your actual hours across all jobs combined, not per employer, since the 24 hour cap applies to your total off campus work, and exceeding it risks your study permit conditions regardless of intent. Teaching or research assistant roles on campus are a better first choice than off campus retail work if your programme offers them, since they are not capped by the 24 hour off campus limit.
How much can you actually earn part-time in Canada?
See how part-time work fits into your total budget and visa funds.
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