Canada Limits International Student Work Hours to 24 per Week
The Canadian government has announced that international students will no longer be allowed to work more than 24 hours per week off-campus. This change, announced by Immigration Minister Marc Miller, reverses a temporary measure implemented during the pandemic recovery.
Previously, international students were permitted to work unlimited hours off-campus. However, this temporary measure expired on April 30, 2024. The government claims that this change will allow students to focus on their studies while still providing them with the option to work.
The decision to limit work hours is based on studies conducted in Canada and the United States, which suggest that students working more than 28 hours per week experience a decline in academic performance. Additionally, working more than 24 hours per week increases the likelihood of dropping out of their program.
This change aligns Canada with other countries that welcome international students, such as Australia and the United States, which also have limitations on student work hours. In Australia, students can work up to 48 hours per fortnight, while in the United States, students must meet additional requirements before being allowed to work off-campus.
While the government claims this change will benefit students by allowing them to prioritize their studies, some may argue that it will limit their ability to support themselves financially. It remains to be seen how this policy change will impact international students in Canada.