Canada Updates International Student Work Hours for Fall 2024

Canada Updates International Student Work Hours for Fall 2024

IRCC Minister Miller announces that they intend to increase work hours for international students in Canada from 20 to 24 hours per week in fall 2024. The adjustment to 24 hours per week will equate to three 8-hour shifts. Minister Marc Miller emphasized that these adjustments aim to prioritize academic pursuits while also providing students with the chance to obtain financial assistance.

The opportunity to work while studying is a key driver for many international students. In fact, studies have shown that only 2.5 percent of surveyed students weren’t planning to work at all while completing their program. So, if you’re planning to become an international student in Canada, it’s important to understand how many hours you can work off-campus.

International students on a regularly scheduled academic break can work unlimited hours. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s guideline on the off-campus work regime provides further information on eligibility and allowable hours of work.

How Are International Student Work Hours Changing?

On April 29, 2024, in an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) press conference, the Honorable Marc Miller announced the temporary policy which allowed international students to work more than 20 hours per week in off-campus jobs will not be renewed again.

This means that as of April 30, 2024, Canada’s standing policy will return. It allows eligible students to work up to 20 hours per week in off-campus jobs.

However, Minister Miller also shared that number will be increasing soon. Starting in September 2024, eligible international students will be able to work up to 24 hours per week off-campus.

When Will the Policy Change?

Starting April 30, 2024, international students in Canada may only work 20 hours or fewer in off-campus jobs while class is in session.

With summer around the corner, students in programs with a scheduled academic break over the summer may work full-time hours until the fall term starts. On the other hand, if your program runs through the summer term, you may work up to 20 hours a week in an off-campus job. Then, by Fall 2024, it’s expected that amount will increase to 24 hours per week for all international students.

Per the Government of Canada, “There is no set number of hours per week that counts as ‘full-time’ work. However, your employer(s) must follow all provincial laws on overtime pay and time between shifts.”

Canada’s revised international student work hour allowance (24 hours per week) is one of the most generous in major Anglophone study destinations. It currently matches Ireland and the United Kingdom at 20 hours per week. After the changes this fall, it will essentially match Australia’s current policy, which is 48 hours over a two-week period. Conversely, the United States is more particular about which students may work off-campus.

Which International Students’ Work Hours are Changing?

It’s important to remember this policy update only impacts off-campus work. If you work on-campus, the rules which guide how much you can work aren’t changing. In fact, if you’re an international student who’s eligible to work on-campus, you still don’t have a cap on the maximum number of hours you can work.

In conclusion, no matter if you’re an international student who’s employed on or off campus, plan out your study time, work time, and rest time carefully. Students who work over 28 hours each week are more likely to see their grades drop. Post-secondary study is absolutely about challenging yourself, learning new things, and network-building. But it’s also vital to take care of your physical and mental health, so you can leverage the skills you’ve built.