Canada is lifting the Limit on off-campus work hours for International students

It is a good news for International Students looking to study in Canada. The Canadian immigration minister Sean Fraser has announced to lift the off campus work limit of 20-hour-per-week temporarily for foreign students in Canada.

As of now, the eligible International students (i.e. post-secondary students) in Canada are allowed to work off-campus (20-hour-per-week) while class is in session.

No Limit on off-campus work hours for International Students

As per latest announcement form the immigration minister, from November 15, 2022, until December 31, 2023, foreign students in Canada with an off-campus work authorization on their study permit can work without any 20-hour-per-week rule. The overseas nationals, who have already submitted a study permit application, as on date, will also get the advantage of this momentary change, if their application is approved.

The government took this decision in view of the unprecedented challenges being faced by the employers in Canada in finding and retaining the workers they need in this time of economic recovery and development. The government is constantly taking firm actions to address current labour requirements.

Also read- Canada to announce major Immigration Updates in October & November 2022

International students will benefit immensely

• This latest change will provide several foreign students with a greater prospect to gain valuable work experience in Canada, and will surge the availability of workers to withstand Canada’s post-pandemic growth.
• With more than half million international students already in maple leaf country to potentially work extra hours, this provisional change reflects the key role international students can play in addressing Canada’s labour shortage, while pursuing their studies.
• However, students are still expected to balance their study and work obligations, as the students, who stop studying, or lessen course loads to only study part-time are not eligible to work off-campus.

Speaking about the new change, Immigration minister Sean Fraser said,

“Immigration will be crucial to addressing our labour shortage. By allowing international students to work more while they study, we can help ease pressing needs in many sectors across the country, while providing more opportunities for international students to gain valuable Canadian work experience and continue contributing to our short-term recovery and long-term prosperity.”

Also read-

Canada removed all COVID-19 Restrictions from October 1, 2022

Canadian Government Making access to Permanent Residence easy for Doctors

Canada may soon release its immigration level plan for 2023-2025

Other key updates

This month, IRCC is also introducing a pilot project to automate the processing of study permit extensions. The pilot will include a small group of candidates who could see their extended study permit processed relatively quicker, with an aim of refining client service. Other key steps measures recently launched to benefit international students and fresh graduates comprise:

• a transition period for those studying online from abroad  
• An opportunity for those with expired or expiring post-graduation work permits to get an additional 18-month open work permit.

With exceptional interest in Canada from candidates across the globe, the immigration department of Canada, i.e. Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) continues enhance immigration processing, fortify immigration system, reduce wait times, decrease application backlogs and enhance the experience of immigration and visa aspirants overall.

To know more and apply for immigration to Canada on Study visa, PR visa, visit visa, etc. you may contact Canada immigration Expert at Visas Avenue on Toll-Free No. 78-18-000-777 or you can drop us an e-mail at info@visasavenue.com.

- Rajneesh Kumar