Canada has declared an expansion of International Student Work Hours from 20 Hours to Hours

Canada has declared an expansion of International Student Work Hours from 20 Hours to Hours

The Canada’s Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada have prolonged an immigration policy enabling specific international students to surpass the regular 20-hour-per week cap for-campus employment.

Initially, the policy was launched in 2022 to address labour shortages, this temporary policy sanctioned full-time (40 hours per week) off-campus employment. Originally slated to conclude on December 2022, the recent update extends this policy until April 2024.

Preceding this alteration, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada had limited international students to a maximum of 20 hours per week off-campus work during the academic year. However, during scheduled academic breaks, students were allowed to work full-time.

As of December 2023, international students already in Canada or those with submitted study permit applications will continue to benefit from the extended off-campus work hours.

The minister, Miler provided an update on temporary policies concerning international students that were initially set to expire at the end of 2023. He mentioned the following:

1. The waiver on the 20-hours-per week limit for off-campus work during class sessions for international students will be extended until April 2024.

2. International Students already in Canada and applicants who applied for a study permit by December 2023, will be eligible to work off campus for more than 20 hours per week until April 2024.

3. Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada are exploring are exploring potential future adaptations to this policy, such as increasing off-campus work hours for international students to 30 hours per week while class is in session.

While this policy is not permanent, the policy will alleviate financial strains for numerous international students across Canada. The decision to allow expanded work hours was appreciated by some international students, noting it’s positive impact on students financial concerns.

The eligibility for extended work hours necessitates international students to attend in-person classes at a Canadian post-secondary institution, hold off-campus work authorization on their study permit, and for those who applied by October 2022 will benefit from the removal of the prior restriction.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada remains committed to exploring potential policy avenues, including the possible expansion of off-campus work hours to 30 hours per week during class sessions.