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Many international students in Canada take on part-time jobs to support themselves while in university. Brandon Bell / AFP

The Canadian government recently announced that international students in Canada can now work more than 20 hours per week. It’s a bid to help industries in need of more workers. For international students, this is good news to help deal with the high cost of studying and living in Canada.

Studying in Canada can be expensive. Tuition fees for international students are three times those of local students. Paying for this, plus living costs, can be tough for those on a budget. 

Despite the cost, many still seek a Canadian degree. As of the end of 2021, the country hosted 621,656 international students. This is triple the number of international students over the past two decades. Last year alone, Canada issued nearly 450,000 new study permits. 

These international students know that they stand to gain a lot from studying in Canada. From world-class universities to opportunities to become permanent residents, there are many perks in store for them from start to end.

Working part-time can add to the experience further. Not only do you earn a salary, you will get valuable experience no matter how basic your job is.  Here are the five best part-time jobs every international student in Canada should consider.

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Working as a barista is among the most popular part-time jobs in Canada. Source: Mohammed Huwais / AFP

 

 

Part-time job options in Canada for international students

1. Server

Working as a server or barista is one of the most popular part-time jobs in Canada for international students. To qualify as a server in Canada, students are usually required to have a high school diploma and exhibit strong communication skills in English. 

Though not the highest-paying job per hour in Canada, you do get tips. In Canada, customers are expected to pay between 15-18% in tips. This means that despite the low income per hour, working as a waiter or barista can be a great job and you will be earning quite a bit in a week.  

Aside from that, working as a server comes with flexible working hours which is a plus point for students who are juggling work and uni. 

3. Delivery services

This means you deliver passengers, food or packages. If you work for a company that provides on-demand services, you can work whenever you like. To qualify to work in delivery services one must be 18 years old, have a driver’s license and own a car.

Fortunately, if you do not own a car, there is also the option of being a bicycle courier instead. Most major cities have bicycle food delivery services such as UberEATs. Though the pay of a bicycle courier is lower than that of a car courier, owning a bicycle is a lot cheaper than a car. 

3. Tutor 

Another common part-time job for international students in Canada is tutoring. You may be wondering, “What do I even tutor?”. Well, you can tutor whatever you are good at. You can use those skills and work part-time with elementary or high school kids as a way of earning money while still completing your degree.

The average wage a part-time tutor in Canada receives is about US$15 per hour. The process of finding a job is more tedious than other part-time jobs, but there are a number of sites that help students secure tutoring jobs.

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Working as a dog walker is one of the most common and high-paying jobs in Canada. Source: Cindy Ord / AFP

4. Dog walker 

What could be better than being paid to hang out and walk dogs? With many owners working long hours, dog walking has become quite a popular part-time job.

There are many dog-walking businesses in Canada. On average, dog walkers in Canada earn about US$20 per hour. However, as being a dog walker does require more flexibility than other jobs, depending on your responsibilities and how many dogs you walk, you may be able to charge more. Another way to increase your pay as a dog walker is to offer pet-sitting services while the owner is away. 

If you think dog walking is for you, check out Rover, one of the most popular businesses in Canada. You could even work for yourself by finding your own customers, rounding up the dogs and hitting the streets.

5. Salesperson 

If you enjoy talking to people, a career in sales may offer you the money and flexibility you need. Working as a salesperson also teaches you a wide range of transferable skills. This is an excellent job for weekends when shoppers hit the town and city centres. Obviously, the pace of the job depends on where you might work, from a clothing boutique to a corner shop or even a supermarket.

Whatever it is, a salesperson’s job is steady, and some sellers even receive a small commission on their sales. However, salaries vary depending on where you work.