Work hours extended for international students in Canada, and what this means for you (starting September 2024)

You will soon be able to work longer hours each week in Canada while studying abroad there.

The Canadian government is set to increase the number of hours international students can work to 24 hours per week, from September 2024, up from the current 20 hours.

This article will help you navigate the policy changes regarding off-campus work for international students in Canada, especially since being able to earn extra income can be a key consideration when studying overseas.

We'll explore how the longer work hours allowed can offer a way for you to ease your financial pressures during your studies without compromising your academic life.

Understanding the changes to the weekly work hours limit

In April 2024, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marc Miller, announced that the government intends to increase the maximum hours international students can work off-campus to 24 hours per week from September 2024.

This means that if you’re studying in Canada, you’d be able to work up to 4 hours longer than the 20-hour per week limit that kicked in on 1 May 2024.

Miller said the new cap seems “reasonable” and would allow students to work the equivalent of three full shifts of eight hours per week.

The announcement came on the back of a previous revision that brought back a 20-hour weekly limit. This was a significant change for students, as it marked the end of a temporary policy that had granted unlimited work hours since 2022 to combat post pandemic labour shortages—a time when nearly a million job vacancies had gone unfilled.

Timeline of changes to Canada’s work hours limit for international students

Nov 15, 2022: Work hour limit of 20 hours per week is waived temporarily to address post pandemic labour shortages

Dec 31, 2023: Unlimited work hours policy extended till April 30, 2024

May 1, 2024: Work hours limit reverts to 20 hours per week until September 2024

Sep 2024 onwards: Planned increase in work hours limit to 24 hours per week

What this means for you?

With the very real pressures of managing your everyday expenses, from the cost of meals to accommodation, the last thing you need as an international student is extra stress piled on top of your studies.

The increase of 4 more work hours per week means you could earn up to 20 percent more income with that extra time.

Being able to work outside of your studying hours can ease the financial burden as you secure some extra pocket money and even gain hands-on skills through a job.

These are concerns the Canadian Immigration Minister is aware of.

“Working off campus helps international students gain work experience and offset some of their expenses. As international students arrive in Canada, we want them to be prepared for life here and have the support they need to succeed,” stated Miller.

Balancing your studies and work

The new weekly limit of 24 work hours means that if you find a job with an 8-hour shift, you could work up to three days a week. This could serve as a sweet spot for you to manage your time spent studying and earning an income.

Miller said research showed that the incoming 24-hour work limit is optimal, and will work better than a previously floated suggestion of 30 hours per week. He cited studies in the US and Canada that showed a considerable decline in academic performance when students work more than 28 hours per week, and increased chances of them dropping out of their program.

After all the hard work and money you spent getting to Canada and securing a university offer, perhaps even in a top university, you don’t want your study abroad journey to end without completing your course.

Unlimited work hours to continue outside of semesters

On top of longer work hours per week from September 2024, there are still ways for you to maximise your earning potential and pick up more valuable work experience at the appropriate time.

During academic breaks and summer holidays, international students will continue to be able to work unlimited hours. If you need to save extra cash to cover living expenses while your studies are on pause, this will be the best time to ramp up your working hours.

To explore more ways of making the most of your study abroad journey, including in the area of working while studying, download the IDP IELTS App and equip yourself with insightful study abroad guides and resources for free.

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