Canada Increases Work Hours for International Students
Canada has announced a change in the work restrictions for international students, raising the weekly off-campus work limit to 24 hours during academic terms, starting immediately. This new rule, revealed on November 15 by Marc Miller, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, is part of the country’s broader strategy to manage the growing volume of visa applications.
While students are now limited to 24 hours of off-campus work during term time, they can still work unlimited hours both on-campus and during semester breaks. Miller noted that this adjustment strikes a balance between offering work opportunities and ensuring that students remain focused on their studies.
Under the previous regulations, international students were allowed to work up to 20 hours per week off-campus during their studies. However, in response to labor shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic, this limit was temporarily increased to 40 hours, a policy that ended in April. Additionally, a significant policy change was introduced: students wishing to transfer between schools will now be required to apply for a new study permit. Previously, they could update their details on their existing permit through the IRCC online portal. This shift is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the integrity of the International Student Program.
Canada’s international student population surged in 2023, reaching over one million, a 29% increase compared to the previous year. The average annual cost for an undergraduate student, which includes tuition and living expenses, is approximately CA$36,000 (US$25,572). To manage the rise in applications, the Canadian government has introduced more stringent policies, including doubling the financial proof requirement to over CA$20,600. Furthermore, master’s and PhD applicants must now provide endorsement letters from their provincial or territorial governments when applying for a study permit. The government also announced a reduction in the number of study permits it plans to issue in 2025 to 437,000, approximately 10% fewer than in 2023.
In addition, changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program include a new language proficiency requirement: university applicants must demonstrate proficiency at a B2 level or higher, while college applicants need to meet a B1 level. Students arriving in Canada after November 1 must also enroll in programs listed by IRCC to be eligible for a PGWP. In a surprising move, Canada has also terminated the Student Direct Stream (SDS), which previously provided faster visa processing and waived financial proof requirements for students from 14 countries, including Vietnam. These measures aim to regulate and refine Canada’s international student program in response to increasing demand.