Canadian foreign students can work 24 hrs a week off-campus. The Minister of IRCC, Marc Miller, confirmed that the new regulations took effect on November 15.

Before this change, the limit was 20 hours per week. 

In April 2024, Miller declared that the number of off-campus work hours for international students would increase to 24 hours in the fall but did not say the date the change would take effect. 

Uncapped Hours For Foreign Nationals In Study Permit 

This cap and the prior cap only apply to hours that students work off-campus while their classes are in session. 

Students could and still can work any number of hours. 

  • On Campus
  • Off-campus during breaks between academic terms, when classes are not in session

Rationale For The Change 

According to Miller, this 24-hour cap struck ‘the appropriate balance so students have the option to work without compromising academic outcomes.’ 

New Requirement For Study Permit Prior To Changing Schools

Canadian foreign students can work 24 hrs a week off-campus. In the recent announcement, international students can no longer change schools without applying for a new study permit. 

Students should apply for and, in some cases, be approved for a new study permit prior to changing designated learning institutes (DLIs). 

Before the change, students could change schools on the same study permit so long as they updated their IRCC online account with new information. 

As per IRCC, these changes are in line with the department’s work to strengthen the integrity of the International Student Program’. 

Changes To International Students’ Working Hour Cap In Recent Years

Canadian foreign students can work 24 hrs a week off-campus. International students in Canada have traditionally been allowed to work up to 20 hours a week during regular school terms or semesters. 

However, during the pandemic, the government declared a temporary policy allowing students to work more than 20 hours per week, up to a maximum of 40 hours. 

This policy was implemented to ease the nation’s labor shortage and give students the chance to earn more money. 

This temporary policy came to an end on April 30, 2024. 

If you seek information on how to begin your Canada immigration application process, you can talk to our NavaImmigration experts at 1800-918-8490, or you can drop us an email at [email protected].