Kehinde Fajobi
Canada has increased the weekly work limit for eligible international students during academic terms from 20 to 24 hours, aiming to enhance their ability to gain work experience while maintaining academic focus.
Marc Miller, Canada’s Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Minister, explained the rationale behind the decision: “This change will give students more flexibility to manage their time and gain practical experience.”
The policy update aligns with Miller’s earlier remarks in October 2022, where he highlighted the importance of integrating international students into Canada’s labour force. At the time, he stated:
“With the economy growing at a faster rate than employers can hire new workers, Canada needs to look at every option so that we have the skills and workforce needed to fuel our growth. Immigration will be crucial to addressing our labour shortage.
“By allowing international students to work more while they study, we can help ease pressing needs in many sectors across the country, while providing more opportunities for international students to gain valuable Canadian work experience and continue contributing to our short-term recovery and long-term prosperity.”
The revised regulations also allow international students to work full-time during designated academic breaks, such as summer and winter holidays, providing opportunities to earn more without disrupting their studies.
To maintain the integrity of the International Student Program, Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) must now submit biannual reports to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
These reports will confirm students’ enrollment status and academic progress, ensuring compliance with study permit requirements.
Under the new rules, international students are also required to obtain approval before transferring to a different DLI, ensuring adherence to permit conditions and academic standards.
In Quebec, international students meeting specific criteria can work off-campus without a separate work permit.
Eligible students must be enrolled full-time in post-secondary, vocational, or professional training programs, or secondary-level vocational training, with courses lasting at least six months that lead to recognised qualifications.
These changes aim to provide international students with more opportunities to gain valuable work experience while addressing labour shortages across Canada, fostering a balance between academic success and employment.