Working in Canada : [size=18pt]International Students[/size]
Citizenship and Immigration Canada states that:
As an international student "you must come to Canada with enough money to live and pay your bills while you are studying, without needing to work. You may be able to work while you are studying, which will help you earn extra money and gain Canadian work experience, but it won't sustain you."
Who can work & How to?
As a general rule, anyone who is not a Canadian Citizen or a PR must have a Work Permit for all & any work in Canada. Normally, under the Foreign Worker Regulations, an employer has to prove that there are no qualified Canadian Citizens or PRs suitable for the position [This is done thru the HRSDC's LMO route]. However, there are exemptions which apply to international students, by which they may not take the LMO processing.
Students Working 'On-Campus'
International students who hold a valid Study Permit may look for and accept employment 'on-campus' provided they are in attendance and registered as full-time students at the post-secondary institution where the employment will take place. In this case, a Work Permit is NOT required.
"On-campus" employment is defined as employment in facilities owned, leased, or rented by the educational institution (for example it can be a private business located on-campus that provides service to the institution). ISWOP (International Student Work Opportunities Program) is an on-campus employment program for international undergraduate students which was piloted in 2005. Over 365 International Students have participated since the program started, including 90 participants the 2010-2011 academic year. ISWOP provides students with financial assistance through paid part-time employment on the campus.
Working 'Off-Campus'
On April 27, 2006, CIC launched the long awaited OCWP (Off-Campus Work Permit) Program, a new initiative which allows international post-secondary students, to apply for a work permit to work off-campus [Apps fee: $150]. This program gives eligible international students the opportunity to participate more fully in the wider Canadian communities. As of June 1, 2011, over 1300 eligible international students have been able to apply for an OCWP.
Restrictions on Hours of Work
Once the international students receive their OCWP, they can work up to 20 hrs. per week off campus while classes are in session. They can work full-time during scheduled breaks, including summer or winter holidays and reading weeks.
Note:
1. This 20hrs./week remains same for ISWOP too.
2. While classes are in session, they must be studying full-time and retain academic standing to keep the OCWP valid.
Can the Study Permit & OCWP application/s go together?
No. One cannot apply for a study permit and an off-campus work permit at the same time. To qualify for the program, one must already hold a valid study permit, and s/he must have been a full-time student at a participating institution for at least 6 of the last 12 months before s/he apply. MEANING? -for the 1st 6-months an international student cannot work [off-campus]...it s/he does, it'd be illegal.
Why this 6-month's wait? Canada wants you to study here [the original purpose you came here for] and be gainful to its economy, as well as your own future. The likelihood of students quitting their study program is highest during the first few months of study. Which is why CIC wants to ensure that work permits are issued to legitimate students, with legitimate intentions... there's a benefit to both the parties.
For more information on OCWP, pls visit:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-offcampus.asp
Other types of Work Programs for international students
a) Co-op and Internship Programs [if applicable]: Pls visit: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-coop.asp
b) Post-Graduation Work Program [if applicable]: Pls visit: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-postgrad.asp
Know Your Rights as a legitimate International Student Worker
All workers in Ontario are protected by the Employment Standards Act, a government document which states the minimum workplace standards that employers are legally required to follow. This includes the minimum amount of money a worker must be paid (minimum wage), the number of breaks a worker is entitled to during a work shift, illness and safety issues, as well as a number of other topics.
For more information about the ESA, pls visit:
http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/es/faqs/general.php
SIN (Social Insurance Number)
If anyone wants to work in Canada, they must have a Social Insurance Number - regardless of the type or duration of their work term. An employer cannot pay you until you have this number. The same applies for international students as well [those intend to also work here].
Now comes the OP's (manunidhi21) queries:
Q-1. Many guys desperate to go to canada on a study visa spending IRs.1.8 million?
A. Yes, it's a big business. Besides many of the applicants aren't aware of the complications [quitting studies & working]. It'd mar their chances of getting the PR. Completion of the study program is mandatory alongwith a yr's experience.
Q-2. Is Canada going to become Australia?
A. If the intent of the query is the surge of Canadian study visa apps - YES. Aus being lately complacent on the process - Ca sure gets a huge momentum on international students. And with the Conservative's [hush hush] immigration agenda - this seems to be the more aggressive way of getting newcomers in the future, rather than the FSW route.
Q-3. Aren't they threat to prospective new immigrants who are looking for odd-jobs?
A. You are partially correct. Many employers [e.g. food outlets] hire part-time students, in cash, paying them lesser than the min. wg. Somewhere around $7-9. But, they often do so illegally. Half of the students do not process their OCWP. And that sure kills the initial job mkt of the new immigrants. However, this is a minuscule sector. And those jobs are mostly unsuitable for the more serious settler. We have better opportunities, viz in Walmart, Canadian Tire, FedEx, Tim Horton's, Transport Cos., Security Cos. etc. [if we are looking for survival jobs]; and these employers do not hire illegally... neither they pay less [usually higher than the min. wg.].
Q-4. Is this a risk in ON in coming future (like australia)?
A. No. Not at all. It's neither in Aus. I believe ur intent in that query is reg. 'job-loss' for the newcomers -- as explained in my prev. ans. it doesn't dent the mkt. For us, the important ques. is, "are we ready?" If we are [mentally & egoistically] - then there's no dearth of jobs here, neither will be in the near future, unless there's a repeat of [God forbid] the WW-Great Depression once again, akin to 1929.
Hope that eased something/somewhere!
Qorax
