Immigration Minister Marc Miller has announced that temporary measures regarding off-campus work hours for international students will not be renewed.
Starting October 2022, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada (IRCC) began temporarily allowing international students with an off-campus work authorization at its study permits working more than 20 hours a week during classes, as was the norm previously.
Instead, starting with this year’s fall academic semester, international students in Canada will be allowed to work up to 24 hours per week while classes are in session. This is unexpected as last December the IRCC said it would “continue to examine options for this policy in the future, such as expanding off-campus work hours for international students to 30 hours per week while classes are in session.”
Discover your options to study in Canada
Today, the Minister said that working 30 hours a week during the academic year would inevitably have a detrimental effect on students’ academic performance.
Additionally, he said that limiting the number of hours a student can work off campus would help deter international students who might apply for a study permit with the primary goal of working in canada.
He also mentioned that 24 hours would probably be enough given the cost of living increase for international students announced last December.
A single study permit applicant wishing to study in Canada as an international student must be able to demonstrate that they have $20,635 saved in addition to the cost of tuition.
International students who are currently in Canada during an academic break can work unlimited hours. Those taking summer classes must now adhere to the 20-hour per week rule.
Other changes for international students
This is the latest in a series of changes to Canada’s international student program. IRCC says these changes are intended to improve the integrity of the system.
For example, the department added another step to obtain a study permit. Students must now obtain a Provincial certification letter (PAL) of the province where they are located designated learning institution (DLI) is located. This is part of a general limit on the number of study permits that IRCC will process in 2024.
The department is also working on the implementation of the Trusted Institutions Framework for DLI in Canada with a proven track record of offering adequate support to international students.
Are you eligible to work in Canada as an international student?
International students who wish to work off campus during their academic year must meet several requirements, including:
- have a valid study permit
- studying full time at a DLI
- They have already started studying in their DLI and maintain a satisfactory academic situation
- study in an academic, vocational or professional training program that lasts at least six months and leads to the award of a degree, diploma or certificate; and
- have a valid Social Security Number (SIN)
Students can continue to work unlimited hours in Canada during academic holidays, as long as they are registered to return to full-time study in the next semester.
reference: www.cicnews.com