CIMM – Work Hours – February 28, 2024

Key Messages

• The waiver on the 20-hour-per-week limit on the number of hours international students are allowed to work off campus, while class is in session, was extended to April 30, 2024.
• This change reflects that many current students are relying on working more than 20 hours per week to cover their expenses given the current economic landscape.
• This measure also provides international students with a greater opportunity to gain valuable work experience in Canada, and increase the availability of workers to sustain Canada’s post-pandemic growth.
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recognizes that allowing students to work as much as they want could potentially jeopardize their studies.
• Increasing the financial requirements for new study permit holders, as announced in January 2024, will help ensure students do not need to work excessively while studying.
• IRCC is assessing the hours of work policy. We have heard a lot of views, and we know that increased hours has had a lot of support amongst students and employers. However, there is a need to balance work authorization with the fact that international students are in Canada to study.

Supplementary Information

• Canadian work experience gained while a full time student does not count towards the work experience requirement for the Canadian Experience Class.