how many hours will international students be able to work?

The IRCC introduced new rules on off-campus working hours and, as of May 1, 2024, they began working 20 hours per week. According to the official press release on this change, Minister Miller assured that international students come to Canada to study and the modification of these hours will ensure that they focus primarily on their degrees, while having the option to work, if necessary. 

Let's take a look at the details of this announcement, how many hours a week they will now be able to work, what position they must assume vis-à-vis their employer, what will happen in the fall, the situation of the student's partner, and the opinion of Sarah, a Dominican student who shared with us her particular vision of this change and what it means for her studies and the management of her living expenses.

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How many hours a week must international students now work?

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If you are an international student and are working full time under the temporary policy, then your number of hours per week has been reduced to 20 hours maximum. You must have communicated this in a timely manner to your employer so that they understand that this is a government rule and it is mandatory to stop working under the previous policy and you must do so for the current 20 hours per week. However, if you go on vacation in the next few days or in the summer (July to September), you can work full time without any problems. 

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What will happen in the fall with weekly work hours?

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Starting in the fall of this year, the weekly limit of 20 hours for international students in Canada will increase to 24 hours per week . This means that as of May 1, 2024 they will work 20 hours per week, but starting this fall they will work 4 hours more, which will represent a financial gain for their support.

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What will happen to the couple's working hours?

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The international student's partner is very important in the household economy during the stay in Canada, and the reality is that this news does not affect his/her partner, therefore, he/she can continue working full time without any problems.

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Understanding the need for this change

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The decision to amend policies around off-campus work hours stems from a multi-faceted approach. While recognizing the valuable contributions international students make to Canada's social, cultural and economic landscape, the government is also mindful of the challenges they face in their day-to-day academic pursuits and daily lives. Minister Marc Miller emphasizes the importance of maintaining international students' primary focus on their university careers, while seeking to preserve financial stability for them and their families, all within the framework of the International Student Program.

Canada's proactive approach to refining policies around off-campus work hours for international students reflects its commitment to fostering a supportive environment conducive to educational success. By prioritizing academic engagement and providing experiential learning opportunities, Canada continues to attract and nurture top talent from around the world.

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Sarah's situation and her views on the new working hours.

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As anticipated in the introduction to this article, Sarah is a student from the Dominican Republic who, like the vast majority of international students in Canada, traveled with the excitement of immersing herself in the vibrant academic community of this thriving country. 

She decided to pursue a degree in Computer Science at a renowned university in Toronto, the most populated city in Canada. The reality is that she arrived a few months ago and has had to work part-time, study long hours in her room and adapt to the new system to survive and get through the first year of her stay successfully. 

None of the above has dampened her spirits to be here, however, like many of her peers at the university, who are also from other countries, she acknowledges that she has faced the challenge of balancing her academic project and her day-to-day life and has had to juggle between study commitments and work responsibilities, often feeling overwhelmed by the workload.

"When I heard the news about off-campus work hours, I felt relief and optimism. This decision to extend the allowable work hours to 24 hours per week for next fall is going to help me have more financial stability while I study."

Sarah recognizes the importance of finding a balance between gaining practical on-the-job experience, which is very important for Canada, and excelling in her studies, and the revised policy gives her the flexibility to do so.

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In conclusion, since May 1, international students began working 20 hours per week and starting next fall 2024 will be allowed to work up to 24 hours per week off campus, an adjustment that aims to balance work and study for these foreigners who come to prepare academically in a country where education is at a high level and its demands are just as high. During scheduled academic breaks, next summer session, students will have the flexibility to work unlimited hours. As stated by IRCC on its website, this provision recognizes the seasonal nature of academic schedules and allows students to take advantage of employment opportunities during designated breaks. Read the announcement at this official IRCC link.

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So much for sharing this news. We would love to hear your reaction to this change at the end of the article. 

If you have any doubts about your work and/or study situation after these new rules, you can write to us at Info@immilandcanada.com and an Immiland regulated advisor will be able to guide you. We are specialized immigration consultants registered with the CICC of Canada. We invite you to visit our website here, https://www.immilandcanada.com/.

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With love,

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Immiland