Canada has announced changes to its off-campus work policy for international students, which reflect changes in immigration laws. These adjustments, which are being led by Immigration Minister Marc Miller, aim to balance the requirements of foreign students with the integrity of Canada's immigration laws.

New Guidelines for Work Hours
International students studying in Canada will now be able to work up to 24 hours a week during the academic term, starting in the autumn semester of the current academic year. This change differs from the previous temporary provision, which let students stay longer than the allotted 20 hours.

Important Things to Consider for Foreign Students

New Cap: International students may work off-campus for up to 24 hours a week as long as they are enrolled full-time starting in September 2024.

Former Guidelines: An interim policy that was in effect from October 2022 to April 2024 allowed for unlimited off-campus work hours.
Unrestricted Hours: If students plan to return to full-time study in the next semester, they are entitled to work an unrestricted number of hours during specified academic breaks.

Qualifications for Employment Off-Campus

If an international student wants to work off campus during the school year, they need to meet certain requirements:

Valid Study Permit: It is required to have a valid study permit that has been granted by Canadian authorities.

Full-Time Enrollment: A prerequisite is to be enrolled full-time in a programme at a designated learning institution (DLI).

Academic Performance: Over the course of their academic careers, students must maintain a satisfactory level of performance.

Programme Length: The educational or career programme needs to last for a minimum of six months and offer a degree, diploma, or certificate as its reward.
SIN (Social Security Number): Having a current SIN is necessary to be eligible for work.

Justification and Reasons for the Amendments

Minister Miller clarified that keeping the employment limit at 24 hours per week is in line with the needs of students' academic progress. Going over this limit—30 hours a week, as was previously suggested—might make it more difficult for pupils to advance academically.

Monetary considerations

The change to 24 hours aligns with increased living expenses requirements for overseas students, which were declared in December. In addition to paying for tuition, prospective study permit holders must demonstrate their financial stability by having funds of at least $20,635.

Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL): In order to obtain a study permit, students are now required to obtain a PAL from the province that houses their DLI.
The IRCC is putting in place a structure called the "Trusted Institutions Framework" to help identify DLIs that have a track record of helping international students.

Canada has demonstrated its dedication to balancing academic endeavours with immigration integrity through its recent modifications to its laws regarding off-campus jobs for overseas students. These changes are intended to increase student support while maintaining the integrity of the immigration system, guaranteeing that foreign students make a valuable contribution to Canadian higher education.