How To Make Money As An International Student in Canada

Last updated on January 22nd, 2024 at 07:48 am

As an international student in Canada, knowing how to make money can be a daunting task.

With the total number of International students in all education levels in Canada being 621,565 (Study Permit holders), including higher education, many challenges come with living and studying abroad.

To help these international students, this article will provide information on how they can make money while living and studying in Canada.

It will discuss the different jobs available for international students and other tips on managing their finances efficiently.

What You Need To Know About Working Holiday Visas in Canada

Working holiday visas is an excellent way for international students to supplement their income while living in Canada.

The program allows eligible individuals to work full-time in Canada for up to one year.

To be eligible, applicants must have a valid passport from a participating country and meet specific age requirements.

Additionally, applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds available for their stay in Canada and must not be accompanied by dependents.

Once an individual has been approved for the program, a wide range of job opportunities are available. This includes working in restaurants, retail stores, hotels or resorts, and even as caregivers or nannies.

Working holiday visas also make it easier for international students to obtain work permits that allow them to work longer than the twelve months the visa program allows.

Popular Employment Options for International Students in Canada

There are various ways for international students to make money in Canada.

The most popular options include on-campus and off-campus jobs and working in the gig economy.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these.

a). Working on Campus

International students who are studying in Canada have the opportunity to work and make money while on campus.

Working on campus can be an excellent option for international students, as it provides them with the flexibility of not having to search too far away from school and enables them to earn some extra cash.

For those interested in this, there are many opportunities available.

Many educational institutions across Canada offer work-study programs that provide part-time jobs directly related to their studies or other general labor tasks such as being a tutor or research assistant.

International students may also be eligible for student assistant positions at their school’s library or office, often offering flexible hours and competitive pay rates.

These jobs usually offer flexible hours, so they are ideal for students juggling their studies and work commitments.

b). Working Off Campus

If on-campus doesn’t work, International students in Canada looking for opportunities to make money off-campus have several options.

It can help you gain valuable work experience and earn extra income.

One of the most common options for international students is to take on part-time or casual employment.

This type of employment typically does not require a student to commit to a specific number of hours. The employer often manages it, allowing an individual to create their schedule.

At the same time, many employers are willing to provide on-the-job training so that international students can gain skills while working.

c). Working in the Gig Economy

The gig economy is an increasingly popular way for international students in Canada to make money while studying.

Usually, gig work involves taking on short-term projects or tasks that can be completed remotely or in person.

This type of work is often flexible and can range from freelance writing, online tutoring, virtual assistant roles, and more.

Gig workers can choose when, where and how much they want to work, allowing them to fit it around their studies and other commitments.

It is also an excellent way for international students who are not eligible for part-time employment due to visa restrictions to gain valuable skills through paid work experience.

We will discuss more of such opportunities later in this guide.

Finding Employers Who Will Hire You.

Once you have identified the type of job you want to pursue, the next step is finding employers willing to hire you.

This can be done through networking, informational interviews, and job boards.

a). Networking and Informational Interviews

These two can be a great way to find employers willing to hire international students in Canada.

These interviews involve speaking with people in your field of study to learn about potential job opportunities.

It’s a great way to build your contacts and expand your network.

b). Job Boards and Online Platforms

If networking isn’t your cup of tea, you can try it online.

Several job boards and online platforms are available for international students in Canada.

These websites are a great way to search for jobs, as well as to connect with employers who are looking for candidates with your skills and experience.

Here, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best job boards to help you find work as an international student in Canada.

Job Bank Canada – Job Bank Canada is a great resource for international students looking for work in Canada. It’s an online job board that lists thousands of job postings nationwide. It’s also partnered with the Government of Canada, so you can be sure you’re getting reliable, up-to-date information on job postings.
Workopolis – Workopolis is Canada’s leading job search website and boasts one of the biggest job databases in the country. It’s an excellent resource for international students looking for work in Canada, as it lists various jobs across the country.
GoAbroad – GoAbroad is an international job search site specifically designed for international students. It has a large database of job postings from across Canada and provides great resources for international students.
Upwork is another great platform for international students looking for work in Canada. It has a database of job postings from across the country and provides great resources for those looking for work in Canada.
LinkedIn – LinkedIn is a great platform for international students looking for work in Canada. It’s a great way to network, search for jobs, and apply. Connecting with employers and recruiters and building your professional network is also great.

How to Make the Most of Your Free Time

Making money as an international student in Canada can be a great way to make the most of your free time. Here are some of the most popular options.

Tutoring.

Tutoring can be a great way to make money as an international student in Canada.

You can offer tutoring services in various subjects, such as math, English, and science.

You can also tutor online through video conferencing software, such as Skype.

Selling SEO Services.

Selling SEO services is a great way for international students in Canada to make money.

It involves using online marketing techniques such as keyword research and optimizing digital content to improve website visibility on search engine results pages.

With this type of work, you’ll be able to work remotely and set your own hours.

You’ll also have the opportunity to use your knowledge of different cultures and languages to help clients market their products or services more efficiently.

To start selling SEO services in Canada, you’ll need basic web design knowledge, coding languages such as HTML and CSS, and an understanding of how search engines rank websites according to relevance.

Once you have those skills down pat, there are a few ways you can find clients – signing up with a freelance platform like Upwork or Fiverr is one option, but it will involve competing with many other freelancers looking for similar gigs.

Web Design

Web design is another great online side hustle option for international students in Canada, as it allows them to work from anywhere with an internet connection.

With web design skills, you can build your own website, post your portfolio online and show off your digital skills to potential employers.

To get into web design, you’ll need technical expertise and an understanding of coding languages like HTML and CSS.

An easy way to learn these skills is by taking an online course which will provide you with a comprehensive overview of web development tools, techniques, and best practices.

There are a ton of free courses on YouTube and Coursera.org.

How To Make Money As An International Student in Canada

You may also consider joining a local maker group or attending hackathons where developers come together to create new applications, websites, and games.

This experience will allow you to network with other tech professionals and also help strengthen your portfolio.

Content Writing

Content writing offers international students in Canada an excellent opportunity to make money.

Content writers create blog posts, articles, and web pages.

A content writer must be able to research a wide variety of topics, have excellent grammar and written communication skills, and provide high-quality content that meets the needs of their clients.

With a few basic writing skills and some practice, international students can make money by providing content writing services.

To start as a successful content writer in Canada, you must hone your research skills and become familiar with different writing styles.

You should also develop strong organizational habits to manage multiple projects at once effectively.

Additionally, networking is key; building relationships with potential clients will help increase the chances of getting more jobs in this field.

Offer Proofreading

Proofreading services can be a great way to make money as an international student in Canada.

Not only is this a skill many students already possess, but it can also be quite lucrative.

According to Indeed.com, the average salary for a Proofreader is $23.37 per hour in Canada

So, by offering these services to individuals and organizations, international students can create an additional source of income while studying.

Now, when offering these services, set clear expectations and boundaries about their capabilities.

For instance, you should clarify if you can provide general or specialized proofreading, including editing for grammar, punctuation, formatting, or other areas of expertise, such as legal or medical documents.

Additionally, providing turnaround times and rates ahead of time will help ensure that the job is done quickly and efficiently.

Transcription

Transcription is an in-demand skill that international students can utilize to make money while studying abroad in Canada.

This online gig involves translating audio or video recordings into written documents, making it an excellent job for those with good listening and typing skills.

With the availability of transcription programs, such as Express Scribe, and access to Fiverr and Upwork, international students can find freelance transcription work easily.

The pay rate for transcription work varies depending on the company you are working with and the type of project you are completing.

For example, standard rate jobs on Transcribeme.com may pay around $0.79/minute of audio or video transcribed, while specialized jobs such as medical transcriptions may pay up to $3/minute.

Additionally, most companies require a certain level of accuracy when transcribing, so a quality review is often involved before payment is processed.

Video Editing

If you love videos and playing around with them, you will love this online side hustle!

With the rise of online video-sharing platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Vimeo, aspiring filmmakers and videographers have an array of opportunities to make money from their work.

It goes for those studying videography and anyone willing to learn the skill.

The key to success in this field has the right skills and software.

Video editing requires knowledge of Adobe Suite, Final Cut Pro, or Avid Media Composer, which are used to edit digital media files.

You also need an understanding of different types of cameras, lighting techniques, and audio recording can be helpful when creating videos for clients.

To find work, consider marketing their services on freelance sites such as Upwork or Fiverr, where they can showcase their experience by providing samples of past projects and engaging with potential customers.

Captioning

Captioning is an excellent way for international students to make money in Canada.

What is this?

Well, captioners take audio from television shows, movies, and other media and turn them into readable text for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Better part

It can be done remotely with the right software, meaning you don’t need to leave your home or find a physical job.

And according to SpeechPad.com, captioning jobs pay between $. 30/min and $1.00/min.

On the other hand, because this job requires careful attention to detail and an eye for grammar and spelling, it’s an excellent way to hone your language skills while earning money.

Plus, captioners often work on flexible schedules, making it easier to juggle studying alongside other responsibilities like having a part-time job or participating in extracurricular activities.

To get started as a captioner, you’ll need a reliable internet connection and proficiency in English grammar and spelling.

Software Developer

Software developers are in high demand in Canada and make good money.

In fact, from the data on Glassdoor.ca, the national average salary for a Software Engineer (Remote) is $91,640 in Canada.

A software developer is responsible for developing and implementing software solutions to meet a company’s or organization’s needs.

To become a successful software developers, international students need to have the strong technical knowledge and problem-solving abilities.

You must also be comfortable working with coding languages such as Java, C++, and Python.

Additionally, you should be able to use various development tools like Git and Jenkins efficiently.

Understand how different operating systems work, such as Windows and Linux. Furthermore, database experience would be beneficial when looking for jobs within this field.

Conclusion

This article has provided insight into the various opportunities available to international students in Canada for making money.

International students can work on campus and take advantage of part-time jobs and internships outside their educational institution.

Furthermore, international students can supplement their income and gain valuable experiences by creating a business or completing freelance work.

These methods enable students to make money while studying abroad in Canada and gain more than just an education.

International students should also be aware of visa regulations and the hours they are permitted to work to comply with Canadian laws.

By researching local job markets, staying organized, and budgeting wisely, international students will be able to meet their financial needs while living abroad in Canada.

With the right strategy, any international student has what it takes to make money while living in Canada!