• Study in Canada
Canada Increases Off-Campus Working Hours for International Students
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- Starting September 2024, international students can work off-campus for 24 hours per week in Canada.
- The Standard policy allows students to work 20 hours per week. The limit of hours was relaxed for students currently in Canada, but this ended on 30 April 2024.
- According to studies in the US and Canada, working off-campus for more than 28 hours a week has shown a decline in academic performance.
Recently, at a press conference, IRCC announced that the number of off-campus part-time working hours for international students in Canada has increased from 20 to 24. The post-COVID policy, which allowed students to work off-campus for more than 20 hours a week, ended on 30 April 2024. This means the standard policy is again in effect, which will allow students to work off-campus for 20 hours a week until August.
Off-Campus work for International Students in Canada
- Be a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI)
- Be enrolled in one of the following:a) post-secondary academic, vocational or professional training programb) secondary-level vocational training program (Quebec only)
- Be studying a program which is at least six months long and leads to a degree, diploma or certificate, or
- Have started studying
- Have a social insurance number (SIN)
Social Insurance Number
- May work 20 hours per week off campus or full-time during regular breaks if meeting conditions outlined in paragraph 186(v) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
- May accept employment on or off campus if meeting conditions, per paragraph R186(f), (v) or (w) and must cease working if no longer meeting these conditions.
How many hours count as full-time work?
How to calculate working hours?
Off-campus work for Self-employed students
- Earning wages
- Being paid wages for performing a service or selling a product
- Collecting a commission for performing a service or selling a product
Who can’t work off campus in Canada?
- Their study permit says that they aren’t authorised to work off-campus while they study
- They’re only enrolled in an English or French as a second language (ESL/FSL) program
- They’re only taking general interest courses
- They’re only taking courses required to be accepted into a full-time program
- Their situation changes, and they no longer meet all of the requirements to work off-campus
- They’re only taking general interest courses
- They’re only taking courses required to be accepted into a full-time program
- Their situation changes, and they no longer meet all of the requirements to work off-campus
If any of these situations apply to international students who still want to work while studying in Canada, they need to apply for a work permit. The above situations are not permanent and may be changed in the future. If they are changed, students will again become eligible to work off-campus.
If Study Situation Changes
Students can apply to change the conditions of their permit if:
- they’ve changed their study program to one that may allow them to work off-campus and
- their study permit says, “This permit does not permit the holder to engage in off-campus employment in Canada”
Or
- IRCC included a condition on their study permit that may no longer apply
Changing the Conditions on Canada Study Permit
New Off-Campus Work Limit for International Students
In a recent move, IRCC has increased off-campus working hours for international students in Canada to 24 hours per week. This change will be permanent and will come into effect from September 2024 onwards. However, till then, students will continue to work off-campus 20 hours a week only.
Why 24 hours/week for off-campus work in Canada?
Now, international students might think that if the Canadian Government wanted to support students, why haven’t they increased the limit to 30 hours? The logic is that many employers look for students who can work three shifts, which isn’t possible with a 20-hour work limit.
What does this mean for current international students?
It is to be noted that this new law will not come into effect until fall 2024. International students who are currently studying in Canada need to follow old standing policy for working in Canada. That means off-campus working hours for international students in Canada will remain the same till September 2024. That is 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during scheduled breaks.
What does this mean for the May Intake students?
The new policy will be implemented in September 2024, so until then, the May intake students can work off-campus for 20 hours a week. They can do so till August, and once the policy is put into practice, they can work off-campus 24 hours a week during session time and full time during academic breaks. By working more hours, they can get relevant experience and an edge when applying for jobs after their studies. On the other hand, this can also have not-so-positive effects on students. They might find it difficult to manage their studies and work together. Further, they will have less time to explore Canada and participate in extracurricular activities.
What does this mean for the September Intake students?
Under the new policy, international students going to Canada for the September intake will be able to work off-campus for 24 hours a week starting in September 2024. They will be able to work 3 shifts, which most employers look for. By working for more hours, they will be able to cope with the increased cost of living expenses in Canada. International students going for September intake in Canada may have an improved work-study balance as they will be able to find better jobs which goes hand in hand with their academic schedules. They will have to juggle less between work and studies which will lead to a balanced lifestyle.
Conclusion
On 30th April 2024, IRCC announced that off-campus working hours for international students in Canada are increased to 24 hours per week. The change has been brought to strike a fine balance for students. After this change, students can focus on their studies while earning extra money. The policy will be applicable from September 2024 onwards. Till then, students can work off-campus 20 hours per week and full-time during scheduled breaks. To know how to find off-campus part-time jobs, students must contact Canam study abroad consultants.
FAQ
- Be a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI)
- Have enrolled in either of the following.
- Have started studying.
- Have a social insurance number (SIN)
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