Canada: End of Waiver and New Rules for Off-Campus Work Hours for International Students
November 18, 2024
Update - November 18, 2024: As expected, IRCC has increased the number of hours students may work off-campus without a work permit to 24 per week, effective immediately.
April 29, 2024: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that the temporary policy that allows eligible international students to work off-campus in Canada for unlimited hours per week during academic sessions will expire on April 30, 2024, as intended. The policy will not be extended and, as of May 1, 2024, students will only be able to work off campus for 20-hours per week—which was the policy that was previously in place. However, at some point between September to November 2024, IRCC is expected to increase the number of hours students may work off-campus per week to 24 hours. The measures aim to ensure that students focus primarily on their studies and deter international students from obtaining study permits for other purposes such as work. The measure follows the increase in cost-of-living requirements for international students implemented in January 2024 to avoid students arriving in Canada with inadequate funds to live there. As a reminder, foreign nationals who stop studying or reduce their course load to study part-time are not eligible to work off-campus. Additionally, eligible students can work full-time (up to 40 hours per week) during scheduled breaks.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen
Media mentions
Senior Manager Jonathan Hill noted that stricter UKVI audits and asylum claim reviews are driving more student visa action plans.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh and Associate Anna I. Perina explore how changing immigration enforcement is affecting workforce planning and compliance for US employers.
Blog post
Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung provide guidance for businesses on the legal and procedural requirements for amending their AoA in Saudi Arabia.
Blog post
Counsel Susan Steger discusses how US employers can navigate ongoing green card delays and shifting visa bulletin trends to better support foreign talent and workforce planning.
Media mentions
Awards
WirtschaftsWoche names Fragomen to its "Best Law Firms 2025" list and Partner Axel Boysen to its "Best Lawyers 2025" list in the field of migration law for private individuals.
Awards
Fragomen is ranked in Band 1 in Chambers & Partners High Net Worth Legal Guide 2025.
Media mentions
Partner Rick Lamanna discusses the potential option of decentralizing work permit issuance in Canada, emphasizing the need for clear coordination between the provincial and federal governments.
Video
Fragomen FC hosts are joined by Manager Alexander Hood to examine how immigration rules are reshaping global football, from EPL transfers to the rise of international transfers into the Women’s Super League.
Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg noted that enhanced screening measures, including social media vetting, may be contributing to delays in US student visa processing.
Media mentions
Associate Ilaria Iovieno outlines how recent UK immigration reforms will impact construction employers and their ability to sponsor overseas talent.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Jonathan Hill noted that stricter UKVI audits and asylum claim reviews are driving more student visa action plans.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh and Associate Anna I. Perina explore how changing immigration enforcement is affecting workforce planning and compliance for US employers.
Blog post
Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung provide guidance for businesses on the legal and procedural requirements for amending their AoA in Saudi Arabia.
Blog post
Counsel Susan Steger discusses how US employers can navigate ongoing green card delays and shifting visa bulletin trends to better support foreign talent and workforce planning.
Media mentions
Awards
WirtschaftsWoche names Fragomen to its "Best Law Firms 2025" list and Partner Axel Boysen to its "Best Lawyers 2025" list in the field of migration law for private individuals.
Awards
Fragomen is ranked in Band 1 in Chambers & Partners High Net Worth Legal Guide 2025.
Media mentions
Partner Rick Lamanna discusses the potential option of decentralizing work permit issuance in Canada, emphasizing the need for clear coordination between the provincial and federal governments.
Video
Fragomen FC hosts are joined by Manager Alexander Hood to examine how immigration rules are reshaping global football, from EPL transfers to the rise of international transfers into the Women’s Super League.
Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg noted that enhanced screening measures, including social media vetting, may be contributing to delays in US student visa processing.
Media mentions
Associate Ilaria Iovieno outlines how recent UK immigration reforms will impact construction employers and their ability to sponsor overseas talent.