International Student Work Relief Expires in Canada, New Limits Coming in September

Toronto, Canada – April 30, 2024 – The Canadian government’s temporary reprieve for international student work hours has officially ended. As of today, international students enrolled at designated learning institutions (DLIs) can no longer work off-campus for more than 20 hours per week during regular academic semesters.

The policy change, announced in December 2023, follows a period of relaxed restrictions due to labor shortages exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The temporary measure allowed international students to work unlimited hours off-campus while attending school.

However, there is some good news for international students. While the ability to work unlimited hours has ended, the government has announced a new cap of 24 hours per week starting in September 2024. This represents a slight increase from the previous limit.

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“We recognize the valuable contributions international students make to our economy and communities,” said Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marc Miller, in a press release. “The new cap reflects a balance between allowing students to gain valuable work experience and ensuring they prioritize their studies.”

The news comes with mixed reactions from student advocacy groups. Some praise the increased limit, while others argue that 24 hours is still insufficient, especially in light of rising living costs.

“We are cautiously optimistic about the new cap,” said a spokesperson for the Canadian International Students’ Alliance. “While it’s a step in the right direction, we believe a higher limit would better reflect the realities faced by many students.”

The government has indicated they are still considering further revisions to the international student work hour policy. Whether the 24-hour limit becomes permanent or is adjusted further remains to be seen.

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