- Canada's IRCC announced that international students working off campus are limited to 24 hours of work per week while classes are in session
- The immigration authority warned that exceeding permitted working hours constitutes a violation of study permit conditions and carries serious consequences
- Graduates seeking to remain in the workforce face separate requirements, including eligibility checks for a post-graduation work permit
Search option is now available at TUKO! Feel free to search the content on topics/people you enjoy reading about in the top right corner ;)
TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto has over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has confirmed a 24-hour weekly cap on off-campus work for international students while their classes are in session.
Source: Facebook
The IRCC outlined the rules in a statement published on X on Tuesday, October 27, clarifying what international students are and are not permitted to do while holding a study permit.
According to the IRCC, the ability to work off campus is not automatic. Students can only take up employment if their study permit conditions explicitly allow it. For those who do qualify, the 24-hour weekly ceiling applies strictly during academic terms.
Search option is now available at TUKO! Feel free to search the content on topics/people you enjoy reading about in the top right corner ;)
"Working more than you are allowed is a violation of your study permit conditions, which can have serious consequences," the IRCC stated.
What are Canada's post-graduation work options?
The IRCC also addressed what happens after students complete their programmes. Graduates who wish to continue working in Canada must obtain a work permit, with some qualifying for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).
For those who have already submitted a PGWP application, full-time work is permitted while the application is being processed, but only under specific conditions.
The applicant must have held a valid study permit at the time of submission, must have completed their study programme, and must have been eligible to work off campus without a separate work permit during their studies without having exceeded the permitted hours.
Students who do not meet all three conditions must wait until their work permit is approved before starting a new role. The IRCC was unambiguous on this point: working in Canada without authorisation is illegal.
Those not eligible for a PGWP may still have options, as the IRCC noted that other categories of work permits could apply depending on individual circumstances.
Is Canada facing labour shortages?
The announcement comes against the backdrop of Canada's well-documented labour shortages.
This prompted the federal government to actively recruit foreign workers and students to help fill gaps across various sectors of the economy.
International students have increasingly been seen as a valuable part of that workforce pipeline.
Source: TUKO.co.ke