Canada Extends Work Limit For International Students To 24 Hrs/Week
Canada has increased the weekly off-campus work limit for international students from 20 to 24 hours. The change will become effective from November 8, 2024. The move will enhance the opportunities for international students while maintaining their academic focus.
Reportedly, Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship while announcing the decision stressed that the new work limit will help students to gain work experience and help them to focus on their studies.
Read also: Canada Ends Student Direct Stream – What Does It Mean?
Not all international students are eligible for off-campus work and have to meet certain requirements including enrollment at a Designated Learning Institute (DLI), a valid study permit, a social insurance number (SIN), and students who fall under certain program types such as post-secondary training or vocational training at the secondary level in Quebec, leading to a degree, diploma or certificate.
As per the Canada immigration official website, there is no set number of hours per week that is counted as ‘full-time’ work. However, working more than 24 hours a week will violate the study permit and students can lose their status and may not be able to get approval for study or work permit.
Read also: Concerned About Safety, Security Of Indian Nationals: India On Brampton Violence
Students who fall under any of these categories would not be eligible to work including
- Students’ study permit do not authorize to work off-campus
- Enrolled in an English or French as a second language program
- Only taking general interest courses
- Only taking courses which are required to be accepted into a full-time program
- No longer meet all the requirements to work off campus due to the changed situations (may change as per the conditions)
