5 Best Side Hustles Ideas In Canada for International Students (2025).

Being an international student or immigrant in Canada can be hard, especially if you're either being sponsored by family or making too little to keep up with how expensive things are. To live better, it makes perfect sense to get a side hustle that helps you pay your bills while living more comfortably as a student.

Unlike regular corporate jobs, side hustles do not require a post-graduate work permit. Yet, they serve as a useful way to earn extra money in Canada.

Work From Home Jobs in Canada.

Below are several no-experience jobs available in Canada:

Why You Need A Side Hustle In 2025

While Canada is an excellent destination for international students seeking top-tier education and potential job opportunities, studying there can be costly. With a side hustle, you can earn extra income to manage the rising cost of living in Canada, be more financially stable, and gain valuable post-graduate work experience.

If you are looking for how to make extra money with no post graduate work permit, below are the best side hustles in Canada you may want to consider.

Top Best Side Hustles To Start in Canada

1. Driving Jobs

Delivery Jobs:

Delivering food, groceries, or packages can help you earn an extra little income on the side. Apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash and SkipTheDishes allow students like you to earn money by delivering orders on a flexible schedule.

Ride share Service:

You can also take up ride sharing services where you give students a ride for a commission from popular ride sharing service options like Uber or Lyft.

Pros of driving as a side hustle.

• Flexible working hours

• Easy to start with minimal requirements.

• Receiving tip gifts can significantly increase earnings.

Cons of driving as a side hustle.

• Weather can affect when you can decide to come out or not.

• Requires a reliable mode of transportation.It might be difficult if you don't have your own car, but a motorbike or bicycle can be a good start.

• Receiving tip gifts can significantly increase earnings.

You can also search for a drive test center near you to renew or obtain a new driver's license in Canada if you have access to a car.

2. Personal Service Business (PSB)

There are some personal services you can offer and do as a side hustle with no post graduate work permit, such as:

Teaching online courses:

If you have an area of expertise or interest, consider teaching online courses for other students or curious learners who want to deepen their understanding of a subject. Here are some great platform options you can choose like Outschool, Preply or TutorOcean.

Hairstyling:

Do you know how to do haircuts, styling, braiding, coloring, or treatments? Then consider becoming a hairstylist.You don't need to be a certified hairstylist to offer these basic services, but taking short hairstyling courses can help. Offer services to other students, friends, or find customers through social media or word of mouth.

Makeup artistry:

Start by doing makeup for special events like weddings, parties, graduations, or photoshoots.Then invest in a basic makeup kit and practice with friends. You can take short courses or get certified for credibility. Post your work on Instagram or TikTok to attract customers.Once you feel ready to charge for your skills, offer mobile services, home-based services, or collaborate with photographers or salons.

Massage therapy:

You can provide relaxation or therapeutic massages to relieve stress and tension as a side hustle.Take up professional services; some provinces require certification like Registered Massage Therapist.However, you can still offer informal relaxation massages without a license. Taking an online or in-person course can help you refine your technique.

Pros of personal service business as a side hustle:

• High demand for specialized skills.

• Opportunity to set competitive rates.

• Requires no post-graduate work permit

Cons of driving as a side hustle.

• Requires marketing and client acquisition.

• Requires marketing and client acquisition.

• May need certifications for certain services.

3. Caregiver programs in Canada:

The need for professional caregivers is still rising in Canada, especially for home care services as the country's population ages. Consequently, it creates space for those who can provide such services and are seeking side jobs in Canada.

As a caregiver, you can work for organizations that allow temporary or part-time care for people who are semi-independent and recovering from illness or accidents. The services can also include the following;

Babysitting:

Watching over and caring for children while parents are away can be a great way to earn extra income as a side hustle. While no formal training is required, having CPR/First Aid certification can help build trust with parents. You can find babysitting jobs through apps like Care.com, Sitter city, or local Facebook groups across Canada. Another option is to connect with parents who have busy schedules or travel often and may need someone to watch their kids, play with them, help with homework, or prepare simple meals.

Pet sitting Jobs:

Pet sitting is a side hustle that involves taking care of pets while their owners are away. The most common types of pet sitting services in Canada include dog sitting and cat sitting. These can include feeding, walking dogs, cleaning litter boxes, administering medication (if needed), and providing companionship to the pets. You can start by offering services to friends or neighbors. You can also sign up on pet-sitting platforms like PetBacer,House Sitters Canada,Trusted House Sitters to find customers.

Pros of care-giving as a side hustle.

• Can set your own rates.

• Enjoyable for those who love kids or animals.

• Often pays well for short hours.

• Requires no post-graduate work permit

Cons of care giving as a side hustle.

• Requires trust and reputation building.

• Unpredictable schedules.

As you can see, care giving is a very good side hustle. The flexibility it provides opens up more opportunities for you to pursue your studies alongside. The new caregiver programs tagged "Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots" is set to open by March 31, 2025, so stay on the lookout for it.

4. Home Improvement or Care taking

There is a demand for manual labor services that you can do part-time as a side hustle, such as mowing lawns, raking leaves, weeding, or offering home repair services. With tens of thousands of home improvement jobs in Canada annually, it becomes a hot spot for students with the skilled labor looking for side hustles.

Pros of caretaking as a side hustle.

• High demand for manual labor services.

• Good pay for skilled work.

• Opportunity to learn new skills.

• Requires no post-graduate work permit

Cons of caretaking as a side hustle.

• Physically demanding.

• Seasonal demand.

5. An Online Job

Engaging in online jobs such as social media management, writing, and video content creation is a great way to earn money online while studying in Canada. In fact, it's the perfect side hustle that allows you to work from home to gain valuable work experience while making money online.

Pros of online jobs as a side hustle.

• Work from home.

• High demand for digital skills.

• Opportunity to build a portfolio.

• Requires no post-graduate work permit

Cons of online jobs as a side hustle.

• Can be time-consuming.

• Requires knowledge of digital marketing trends.

The Best Side Hustle Idea To Explore in 2025

Finding the best side hustle as an international student in Canada depends on your skills, availability, and preferences. Whether you choose driving, providing services, care taking, home improvement, or online work, each option offers an opportunity to earn extra income while gaining valuable work experience.

However, you can balance work and studies, making your stay in Canada both rewarding and financially sustainable when you manage your time better. If you're looking for the best way to receive or send money from Canada to Nigeria, CadRemit is your best plug.

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