IRCC’s Decision: No Renewal of Temporary Off-Campus Work Hours Measure

Introduction

In a recent announcement, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has declared that the temporary measures regarding off-campus work hours for international students will not be renewed1. This decision has significant implications for international students in Canada, and it’s important to understand what this means.

The Temporary Measure

Starting in October 2022, the IRCC had temporarily allowed international students with an off-campus work authorization on their study permits to work more than 20 hours per week while class was in session1. This was a deviation from the previous rule, which limited off-campus work hours to 20 per week during academic sessions2.

The New Rule

From the fall academic semester of this year, international students in Canada will be permitted to work up to 24 hours per week while class is in session1. This change is unexpected as last December, the IRCC had indicated that it might consider expanding off-campus work hours for international students to 30 hours per week1.

The Reasoning

The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marc Miller, stated that working 30 hours a week during the academic year would inevitably have a detrimental effect on students’ academic performance1. He further explained that limiting the number of off-campus hours a student can work would help deter those international students who might apply for a study permit with the primary objective of working in Canada1.

The Impact

This decision is likely to impact international students’ financial situations. However, the Minister mentioned that 24 hours would likely be sufficient because of the increased cost of living requirement for international students announced last December1. A single study permit applicant who wishes to study in Canada as an international student must be able to prove they have $20,635 saved up in addition to the cost of tuition1.

Conclusion

While this decision may seem restrictive to some, it’s important to remember that the primary objective of international students should be to study. The ability to work off-campus is a privilege that allows students to gain work experience and offset some of their expenses. However, it should not compromise their academic outcomes. As we move forward, it will be interesting to see how this decision impacts the international student community in Canada.Stay tuned for more updates on this and other changes to Canada’s international student program.

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