Canada’s Immigration Minister Sean Fraser on October 7 2022 announced a new measure that will be good news for international students in Canada. From November 15, 2022, till 31 December 2023, international students with off-campus work authorization on their study permit will now be permitted to work off-campus for more than 20 hours per week during their studies. 

This news is sure to be welcomed by students and employers across Canada and will have positive outcomes for the Canadian economy. It will ensure that students keep Canada at the top of their minds, and will help the country to attract top talent.

Many international students in Canada rely on working part-time jobs while studying to help pay their tuition and cover their living costs. They will also gain vital experience working in their field.  

20 Weekly Work Hour Limit is Lifted! 

Till recently, international students in Canada were only permitted to work off-campus for 20 hours per week during regular school semesters. The reason behind this is to give students adequate time to focus on their studies. However, many students find that their current course workload allows them enough flexibility to spend more time at their off-campus jobs, and with this new measure they will have the freedom to do so. 

All 500,000+ international students who are already studying in Canada, as well as those who have submitted their study permit application and are looking to begin their studies in Canada shortly, can now avail of the increased work hours.  

If you are an international student in Canada, you can now work more weekly hours off-campus between November 15, 2022 and December 21, 2023, provided you meet these requirements:  

• You should be a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI) OR you should be a former full-time student, now a part-time student, in your final semester of study completing your program.
• You should be enrolled in a qualifying post-secondary program of study that is a minimum of 6 months in duration  
• Your program should lead to a degree, diploma, or certificate 
• You have begun your studies  
• You have a Social Insurance Number (SIN)  
• You have off-campus work authorization on your study permit 

Advantages for International Students  

Besides helping Canada’s current labour shortages, this new measure also offers many advantages for international students, as they can get: 

• More weekly income to help pay for tuition, living expenses, and other fees
• New opportunities to gain work experience in their field  
• With more experience, they can now get a better chance of working in Canada full-time later, with a Post-Graduate Work Permit  
• Opportunities to network and develop key relationships, opening new doors to career success later on 

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has indicated that they are open to making future updates as to how many hours international students can regularly work during their study period.  

As Canada expands working opportunities for students, they can be assured they’re supported both throughout their studies and after graduation too.  

Want to know more about how these new measures will impact you? Visit MWT Education Consultancy and explore different pathways to a fulfilling education and career abroad! 

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