Today, Marc Miller, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, has announced a new regulation allowing eligible international students in Canada to work up to 24 hours per week off campus during academic terms.
This new change is effective as of November 8, 2024, marks an increase from the previous 20-hour limit, providing students with more flexibility to balance work and studies.
The updated rule is part of Canada’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the integrity and functionality of the International Student Program (ISP).
It offers international students the opportunity to gain additional work experience and financial support without compromising their primary objective of studying.
Key highlights of the change include:
Not every international student in Canada is automatically eligible to work off campus.
To ensure compliance with Canadian immigration laws, students and employers must confirm eligibility before starting employment.
To work off campus without a work permit, students must:
Students are not allowed to work off campus if:
For international students eager to take advantage of this new rule, the following steps are essential:
Ensure that your study permit states one of the following conditions:
If your permit lacks these conditions, you can request an amendment to add them, free of charge.
A Social Insurance Number is mandatory to work in Canada. To apply for a SIN, students must present a valid study permit with the required work conditions.
Students must track their working hours to ensure compliance:
Exceeding the 24-hour limit during academic terms or working while ineligible can result in serious consequences:
Students are responsible for maintaining accurate records of their working hours and demonstrating compliance with study permit conditions.
Self-employed students must also adhere to the 24-hour weekly limit. Hours are calculated based on time spent earning wages, commissions, or performing services.
Transitioning Between Institutions
The new regulations also require international students to obtain a new study permit before transferring between institutions.
This measure aims to improve program integrity and accountability within the ISP.
Graduates have opportunities to work full-time under specific conditions:
To maintain the integrity of the ISP, designated learning institutions must report on the enrollment status of international students twice a year.
Students who fail to meet enrollment requirements risk investigation and enforcement actions.
This change aligns with Canada’s commitment to supporting its diverse community of international students.
By allowing up to 24 hours of work per week, students gain enhanced opportunities to fund their education, gain valuable Canadian work experience, and contribute to the economy.
The flexibility to work full-time during academic breaks further enables students to maximize their earnings while adhering to immigration requirements.
Yes, students can work multiple part-time jobs, as long as their total hours do not exceed 24 hours per week during academic terms.
Remote work for Canadian employers is included in the 24-hour weekly limit. However, work for employers outside Canada does not count.
Yes, if they applied for an extension before the original permit expired and meet all eligibility requirements.
Students who drop to part-time status or leave their program must cease off-campus work until they regain eligibility.
Yes, students can work full-time if they apply for a work permit before their study permit expires or are transitioning to a new study program.
Canada’s decision to allow international students to work up to 24 hours per week off campus provides a welcome boost to students striving to achieve academic and financial success.
By adhering to the updated regulations, international students can take full advantage of this opportunity while continuing their educational journey in Canada.
Satinder Bains
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