Canada's Immigration Minister Sean Fraser has announced the relaxation in off-campus work hours for international students. International students in Canada have been allowed unrestricted off-campus work hours from Nov 15 and this relaxation will continue till Dec-end next year.

The relaxation has been announced as a solution against the labour-shortage crisis fronted by Canadian employers. This step will also relieve the financial burden faced by international students, most of whom are from India.

At present, the limit to work off-campus for international students is 20 hours/ week, that too while classes are in session. This restriction forced students to work in entry level, low-paying jobs or on the sly which was considered an illegal move and often led to their deportation.

The Canada Govt's immigration agency IRCC (Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada), states, "From Nov 15, 2022, until Dec 31, 2023, international students who are in Canada and who have off-campus work authorization on their study permit will not be restricted by the 20-hour-per-week rule". The agency further added that the international students who have already submitted the application for study permit, as of on Oct 07, can also benefit from this temporary relaxay, "provided their study permit applicatio is approved".

However, this relaxation is not for ‘future’ students, who have submitted/ will submit their study permit applications after Oct 07.

The Govt has also put some safeguards to ensure the safe use of this temporary ease by job seekers. The Immigration Agency informs that the holders of study permit would still be expected to assess their study and work commitments. The ones who cease their education or reduce course loads to part-time will not be eligible for off-campus work, added the agency.

Source: immigration.ca