Automatic Work Authorization for Foreign Students
February 26, 2014
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Effective June 1, 2014, study permit holders in Canada who are enrolled in academic, vocational or professional training programs of six months or longer will be automatically authorized to work – up to 20 hours per week during their academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks.
Currently, study permit holders must obtain an Off-Campus Work Permit to accept employment.
Foreign graduates of Canadian academic, vocational or professional training programs who apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit will be allowed to work while their application is pending. The new rule will provide greater clarity regarding these graduates' eligibility for employment.
The expanded work rights for study permit holders are part of broader reforms to Canada’s International Student Program that generally seek to prevent fraud and ensure compliance with program rules. The reforms will require educational institutions to obtain government designation in order to sponsor foreign students and give Citizenship and Immigration Canada greater authority over compliance monitoring.
What This Means for Employers
The new policy will ease for employers some of the administrative burdens of recruiting and employing foreign students and recent graduates.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Currently, study permit holders must obtain an Off-Campus Work Permit to accept employment.
Foreign graduates of Canadian academic, vocational or professional training programs who apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit will be allowed to work while their application is pending. The new rule will provide greater clarity regarding these graduates' eligibility for employment.
The expanded work rights for study permit holders are part of broader reforms to Canada’s International Student Program that generally seek to prevent fraud and ensure compliance with program rules. The reforms will require educational institutions to obtain government designation in order to sponsor foreign students and give Citizenship and Immigration Canada greater authority over compliance monitoring.
What This Means for Employers
The new policy will ease for employers some of the administrative burdens of recruiting and employing foreign students and recent graduates.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
