New Off-Campus Work Hour Limits for International Students in Canada

Starting September 2024, Canada will implement a new policy allowing international students to work up to 24 hours per week off-campus while classes are in session. This adjustment marks a shift from the pre-pandemic limit of 20 hours per week and the temporary COVID-era policy that permitted unlimited off-campus work hours. The unlimited work hours provision ended on April 30, 2024, and until September, students will be allowed to work no more than 20 hours per week. However, they will continue to have the flexibility to work unlimited hours during academic breaks and summer holidays.

Reasons for the Changes

The Canadian government is making these changes to ensure that international students maintain a strong focus on their studies while still having the opportunity to work and gain experience. Research indicates that students working more than 28 hours per week experience a significant decline in academic performance, and those working over 24 hours per week are at a higher risk of dropping out. By setting a 24-hour weekly limit, the government aims to strike a balance between allowing students to earn money and ensuring they succeed academically. This limit also helps deter students who might be inclined to use study permits primarily as a means to work in Canada rather than pursue their education.

Other Recent Changes to International Student Policies

In addition to the new work hour limits, several other changes have been introduced to support international students. In December 2023, Canada raised the cost-of-living threshold for study permit approval to $20,635 plus the first year’s tuition. This change is intended to better prepare students financially, reducing their reliance on work.

Furthermore, a new letter of acceptance (LOA) verification process has been implemented, with nearly 162,000 LOAs verified since its introduction in December 2023. This process ensures that study permits are granted only to genuine students attending designated learning institutions (DLIs). Of these, almost 142,000 were confirmed as valid directly with the DLIs. This confirmation process ensures that the LOAs used in study permit applications are genuine and align with the records of the respective institutions.

However, the process also identified approximately 9,000 LOAs that were problematic. These included cases where the LOA did not match any issued by a DLI or where the LOA had been cancelled by the DLI before the foreign national applied for a study permit. This discovery highlights the effectiveness of the new system in detecting discrepancies and maintaining the integrity of the study permit process.

As of May 15, 2024, students enrolling in certain college programs will no longer be eligible for post-graduation work permits (PGWPs). This policy is part of the ongoing effort to maintain the integrity of Canada’s International Student Program. Additionally, the government is developing a Recognized Institutions Framework to ensure that DLIs provide adequate support to international students.

Government’s Commitment to Supporting International Students

The Canadian government remains committed to supporting international students by ensuring they are prepared for life in Canada and have the necessary resources to succeed. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, emphasized that while working off-campus provides valuable experience and helps offset expenses, the primary purpose of international students in Canada is to study. The government will continue to protect the integrity of the International Student Program and support students in achieving their academic goals.

These changes reflect Canada’s ongoing commitment to maintaining the integrity of its International Student Program while ensuring that students can balance their academic responsibilities with work opportunities. By setting clear guidelines and providing robust support, Canada aims to foster a positive and successful experience for international students.