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Best Jobs for International Students in Canada (2026 Hiring Guide)

A full 2026 guide to the best jobs for international students in Canada, including pay, hiring companies, work hours, and where to apply.
International students in Canada working part-time jobs in retail, delivery, and campus roles

International students play a huge role in Canada’s workforce. Every year, thousands of students from around the world come to Canada for better education, better job opportunities, and a better quality of life. The good news? Canada also offers a wide range of beginner-friendly jobs that international students can get easily — even with limited experience and limited hours.

This complete 2026 guide will show you the best jobs for international students in Canada, how much they pay, which companies hire fast, and how to get hired even if you’re new to the country or have never worked before.

Before we begin the list, here are important internal resources from our site.

👉 Looking for flexible student-friendly jobs?
https://betterpayjobs.ca/student-jobs-canada/

👉 Need jobs that don’t require experience?
https://betterpayjobs.ca/no-experience-jobs-canada-2026/

👉 Want higher-paying entry-level jobs ($20–$30/hr)?
https://betterpayjobs.ca/20-30-hour-jobs-canada/

👉 New immigrant searching for work?
https://betterpayjobs.ca/jobs-for-new-immigrants-canada/

⭐ Why International Students Can Find Jobs Easily in Canada (2026 Update)

Canada has one of the most student-friendly job markets in the world. Employers know that students:

✔ are hardworking
✔ learn fast
✔ are eager to gain experience
✔ are available for evening + weekend shifts
✔ speak multiple languages
✔ often bring global communication skills

Because of this, Canadian companies hire international students for:

✔ retail
✔ restaurants
✔ warehouses
✔ delivery
✔ customer service
✔ office work
✔ campus jobs
✔ hospitality
✔ online remote jobs

Even better, most of the jobs on this list require zero experience.

⭐ International Student Work Hours in 2026

In 2026, international students in Canada can work:

✔ Up to 20 hours per week (standard rule)
✔ Full-time during scheduled breaks (winter, summer, reading week)
✔ Full-time with special temporary public policies (when allowed by IRCC — changes yearly)

Always make sure to check IRCC’s latest rules, but most student jobs on this list fit easily into the 20-hour limit.

⭐ 1. Retail Associate — $17–$22/hr

Retail is one of the easiest and most accessible jobs for international students in Canada.

Tasks:

• Cash register
• Customer service
• Stocking shelves
• Organizing merchandise
• Helping customers

Who hires:

Walmart, Dollarama, Canadian Tire, Winners, Shoppers Drug Mart.

Why it’s great for students:

✔ Flexible hours
✔ Evening shifts available
✔ No experience required
✔ Easy to balance with classes

Retail jobs help students build communication skills and Canadian work experience quickly.

⭐ 2. Food Service / Fast Food Crew — $17–$21/hr

Food service companies hire international students year-round.

Tasks:

• Taking orders
• Food prep
• Cleaning
• Drive-thru support
• Serving customers

Tim Hortons, McDonald’s, A&W, Subway, KFC.

Why students choose it:

✔ Fast hiring
✔ Short shifts
✔ Part-time friendly
✔ Free or discounted meals

This is one of the most common jobs for new students.

⭐ 3. Barista — $17–$23/hr

Coffee shops offer a positive, customer-friendly environment for international students.

Tasks:

• Making drinks
• Serving customers
• Cleaning
• Preparing pastries

Who hires:

Starbucks, Second Cup, Tim Hortons, independent cafés.

A great job if you enjoy talking to people.

⭐ 4. Warehouse Associate (Part-Time) — $20–$26/hr

Some warehouses offer evening and weekend shifts, perfect for students who need better pay.

Tasks:

• Packing
• Sorting
• Loading
• Scanning items

Why it pays more:

Warehousing requires physical work but no experience.

Best for students who:

✔ want higher pay
✔ like active work
✔ prefer simple tasks

⭐ 5. Delivery Driver / Bike Courier — $20–$30/hr

International students in big cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary earn excellent money doing delivery.

Options:

• Uber Eats
• DoorDash
• SkipTheDishes
• Local restaurant delivery
• Grocery programs

Why students love it:

✔ Extremely flexible
✔ Work anytime
✔ Choose your routes
✔ Quick payouts

Perfect if you want freedom and enjoy being active.

⭐ 6. Customer Service Representative — $18–$24/hr

Many international students get this job because it offers training and indoor work.

Tasks:

• Answering questions
• Helping customers
• Updating accounts
• Phone or chat support

Why it works for students:

✔ Stable hours
✔ Paid training
✔ Communication practice
✔ Part-time or full-time during breaks

Remote customer service jobs are also growing fast.

⭐ 7. Campus Jobs — $17–$22/hr

Universities and colleges hire their own students for campus roles.

Examples:

• Library assistant
• Research assistant
• Campus tour guide
• Student office support
• Residence desk assistant

Why these jobs are excellent:

✔ Close to classes
✔ Flexible hours
✔ Respectful environments
✔ Great for resumes

Campus jobs are competitive, so apply early.

⭐ 8. Cleaner / Housekeeping — $20–$24/hr

Cleaning jobs are great for students who prefer quiet work and no customer interaction.

Types:

• Commercial cleaning
• Hotel housekeeping
• Office cleaning
• Residential cleaning

✔ High pay
✔ Simple tasks
✔ No experience needed
✔ Evening shifts fit student schedules

⭐ 9. Online Remote Jobs (Beginner-Friendly) — $18–$25/hr

International students can also earn money from home with beginner-friendly online roles.

Examples:

• Online chat support
• Virtual assistant
• Social media helper
• Data entry
• Content moderator
• Online tutoring
• Transcription assistant

For more remote job ideas, check this guide:
https://betterpayjobs.ca/work-from-home-jobs-canada/

Remote jobs are growing in Canada and are perfect for students who want comfort and flexibility.

⭐ 10. Grocery Store Jobs — $17–$22/hr

Grocery stores hire international students all year.

Roles include:

• Cashier
• Shelf stocker
• Produce clerk
• Bakery assistant
• Meat & deli helper

Why it works for students:

✔ Part-time friendly
✔ Evening shifts
✔ No experience needed
✔ Good for building Canadian experience

⭐ 11. Call Centre Agent — $18–$23/hr

Call centres in Canada hire international students frequently and provide full training.

Tasks:

• Customer support
• Information updates
• Processing orders
• Basic troubleshooting

Why it's great:

✔ Indoor
✔ Paid training
✔ Good communication practice
✔ Remote options available

⭐ 12. Event Staff — $18–$25/hr

International students make great event workers because events often happen on weekends.

Tasks:

• Setting up booths
• Checking tickets
• Guiding guests
• Cleaning and support

Good for students who:

✔ Want short-term work
✔ Like active jobs
✔ Need flexible hours

⭐ Where International Students Should Apply

👉 Indeed – Student Jobs
https://ca.indeed.com/Student-jobs

👉 Job Bank – Part-Time Jobs
https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/jobsearch

👉 LinkedIn Jobs
https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/

👉 Glassdoor – Student Jobs in Canada
https://www.glassdoor.ca/Job/canada-student-jobs-SRCH_IL.0,6_IN3_KO7,14.htm

👉 University career portals
Each school has its own student job board.

⭐ How International Students Can Get Hired Faster (2026 Tips)

✔ Apply early morning (8am–11am)
✔ Apply for 5–10 jobs per day
✔ Keep resume simple and 1 page
✔ Add volunteer or school experience
✔ Emphasize language skills
✔ Mention flexible availability
✔ Prepare a short, friendly introduction

Employers want reliable students, not perfect resumes.

⭐ Sample Resume Summary for International Students

You can copy this:

“Hardworking international student with strong communication skills and a fast learning ability. Experienced in teamwork, customer service, and multitasking. Available for evenings and weekends. Ready to contribute positively to a part-time position in retail, customer service, food service, or delivery.”

⭐ Final Thoughts

Canada offers one of the most student-friendly job markets in the world. Whether you choose retail, delivery, warehouse shifts, campus jobs, customer service, cleaning, or beginner-friendly remote work, you can find a job fast — even if it's your first time working.

Start early, apply consistently, and take advantage of your available hours. International students bring unique value to Canadian workplaces, and employers know this.

You can build your Canadian experience one job at a time.

About the author

Jeff Calixte (MC Yow-Z) is a Canadian career researcher and digital entrepreneur who studies hiring trends, labour market data, and real entry-level opportunities across Canada. He specializes in simplifying the job search for newcomers, students, and workers using practical, up-to-date information.

Sources:

Note:

Job availability, wages, and hiring conditions can vary widely by province, employer, season, and experience level. All salary ranges and job examples in this guide are estimates based on current labour market data. Always confirm details directly with the employer before applying.

Published by:

Mc Yow-z Jeff Calixte