In recent months, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has already undertaken significant reforms and changes to the International Student Program and Study permits. The primary reason for these reforms is to uphold the integrity of the system while safeguarding students from potential fraud and misuse of the system.
The recent changes to international students working hours off campus is one of the commitments that are aligned with welcoming and supporting international students, who play a pivotal role in enriching the nation’s social, cultural, and economics of the country.
End of Full-Time Work Policy
The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced today the conclusion of the temporary policy introduced last year that allows students to work more than 20 hours per week off campus.
Effective April 30, 2024, this policy has come to an end and will not be extended.
International Students Work Hours Policy
However, starting this fall, a new policy will come to effect that will allow students to work up to 24 hours per week off campus. The number of hours is set to ensure shifts (i.e. 3 shifts of 8 hours) would align with the number of hours allowed since past data suggested more than 80% of students were already working more than 20 hours earlier.
When will the new International Student work hours policy come into effect?
The new work policy will come into effect in fall 2024 which will be a month of September 2024.
Balancing Work and Study
The primary reason for the International Students work hours Canada policy was to put more emphasis on primary purpose of international students in Canada as education, the new policy is made in such a way that balance between work and study will not be affected.
Allowing students to work up to 24 hours per week off campus ensures they remain focused on their educational goals while maintaining their financial needs and meet the living cost.
Continued Support During Academic Breaks
As the summer session approaches, students with scheduled academic breaks will retain the flexibility to work unlimited hours. This measure acknowledges the financial needs of students while ensuring they maintain academic progress.
Informed Decision-Making
The decision to modify work hour restrictions was informed by extensive research, which highlighted the negative impact of excessive work hours on academic performance. Studies conducted in both the United States and Canada have demonstrated that students working more than 24 hours does have a significant impact on their academics goals.
Recognized Institutions Framework
In addition to policy changes, IRCC is actively developing the Recognized Institutions Framework. This framework aims to recognize and reward post-secondary institutions that uphold high standards in selecting, supporting, and retaining international students.
Minister’s Perspective
Addressing the reforms, Minister Marc Miller primarily focused on creating essential environment to support students and enhance the education for international students.
He emphasized that while employment opportunities contribute to students’ holistic experience, academic pursuits remain the primary focus.
Facts You Should Know
- Recent studies conducted in US and Canada have already proven that working 24 hours of work per week negatively impact academic performance and increases dropout rates.
- Most countries implementing international student programs impose limits on work hours. Australia recently adjusted its policy to allow students to work 48 hours every two weeks.
- Changes to post-graduation work permit eligibility will affect international students beginning public-private curriculum licensing programs after May 15, 2024.
- The new letter of acceptance (LOA) verification process has been successful, with IRCC confirming nearly 142,000 LOAs as valid directly with designated learning institutions.
Conclusion
Canada’s commitment to enhancing the International Student Program and protecting the students can be seen in these reforms like the New work hours policy for International Students. By implementing thoughtful reforms and providing comprehensive support, Canada is still is one of the most preferred country for International Students all across the world.
