Canada to allow international students to work off-campus for more hours

Canada's immigration minister Sean Fraser has announced a new temporary measure aimed to counter Canada's labour shortages. This will allow more than 5,00,000 international students in Canada to work more hours. The Canadian government announced lifting the 20-hour work restriction on international students from 15 November 2022 until December 2023. This is positive news for the aspirants who wish to move to Canada as this temporary measure will also apply to foreign nationals who have already applied for a study permit.

Canada removed the restriction of 20 hours per week for international students to tame the labour shortages in the economy.

Currently, international students in Canada can work off-campus during their studies for up to 20 hours per week. However, they can work for more hours during their scheduled breaks that take place in the summer and winter holidays.

Part-time work covers a significant part of the student's overall expenses. This policy will allow international students to deal better with their finances while also completing their studies while staying in Canada.

In 2021, Canada had more than 6.20 lakh, international students, one-third of these were from India. Fraser said Canada has processed more than 4.52 lakh study permit applications since January, a sharp increase of 23 percent when compared to 3.67 lakh study permits processed during the same period last year. Canada is facing historic labour shortages and a historically low unemployment rate. With almost 10 lakh job vacancies, the Canadian government has eased the rule for just over a year to lessen the impact on its economy. Most of the 4.05 lakh immigrants given citizenship last year were from this category only. This move will allow more than 5,00,000 international students in Canada to potentially work more hours.

Which international students are eligible for the off-campus work permit?

Those international students who hold a valid study permit and are studying full-time at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).

The students must be part of an academic, vocational, or professional training programme of six months duration. Also, they require satisfactory academic standing. 

The students also need to have a social insurance number (SIN).

In case, a student's situation changes while their time working and they no longer fulfill the eligibility criteria then they should stop working off-campus.

If a student is no longer studying full-time with an institute, they may continue to work off-campus on certain conditions.

Students who are not eligible for off campus work

Foreign students who are enrolled in English or French as their second language are not eligible for the off-campus work permit. Also, exchange students at a DLI are also ineligible for the off-campus work permit. In addition to this, students who are studying a general interest program are also not eligible for the off-campus work permit.