OTTAWA – Immigration Minister Marc Miller revealed on Monday that international students in Canada will be permitted to work off-campus for up to 24 hours per week starting in September. The decision marks a shift from the temporary waiver on the 20-hour cap instituted during the COVID-19 pandemic, a measure aimed at alleviating labor shortages.
Miller emphasized the need for Canada’s policies to align with those of other similar nations to maintain the integrity of its international student program. “To be clear, the purpose of the international student program is to study and not to work,” he stated, referencing concerns that excessive work hours could detract from the educational focus.
The adjustment in work hours accompanies the government’s efforts to address a surge in international student enrollments across the country. Critics have cautioned that allowing students to work full-time might blur the line between study permits and unofficial work visas, potentially undermining the program’s intent.
Acknowledging the financial pressures faced by international students, Miller defended the decision to increase the work limit, citing internal departmental data indicating that over 80 percent of international students currently exceed the 20-hour threshold. He justified the 24-hour cap as “reasonable,” equating it to three full eight-hour shifts per week.
The temporary extension of work hours was initially implemented in response to the pandemic but was extended to prevent disruption to students’ academic pursuits. While Miller had previously entertained the idea of setting the cap permanently at 30 hours per week, he now considers that threshold too close to full-time employment, citing potential negative impacts on academic performance.
The government aims to implement a permanent change to the work limit, reverting to 20 hours per week until September when the transition to 24 hours will occur. Notably, there are no restrictions on work hours for international students during periods when they are not actively enrolled in classes, such as summer breaks.
Despite concerns raised by officials within Miller’s department about the impact of increased work hours on student focus and the integrity of temporary foreign worker programs, the minister maintains that the adjustment is necessary to address students’ financial needs without compromising their educational pursuits.