As study permit holders, international students who meet certain eligibility requirements are allowed to work off campus up to 20 hours per week during regular academic terms, and full-time during regularly scheduled breaks.

On December 7, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced two temporary public policies which allow eligible international students to exceed the 20-hour-per-week limitation for off-campus employment during academic terms. 

1. If your study permit application (including extension) was received by IRCC on or before Oct 7, 2022:

On October 7, 2022, IRCC announced an initial public policy lifting the 20-hour-per-week cap for eligible international students to work off campus. The policy is set to expire on December 31, 2023, but it has now been extended until April 30, 2024.

To qualify for this extended temporary policy, you must:

• Have a valid study permit with proper off-campus work authorization imposed,
• Had submitted your study permit application (including extension application) to IRCC on or before October 7, 2022,
• Maintain full-time enrollment in your academic term (or eligible to work in your final term as a part-time student), and 
• Meet all the other off-campus work eligibility requirements.

If you meet all the above criteria, you can work off campus more than 20 hours per week until one of the following dates, whichever comes first:

• Expiry date of your study permit that was applied on or before October 7, 2023; or 
• April 30, 2024

2. If your study permit application (including extension) was received by IRCC between Oct 8, 2022 and Dec 7, 2023:

On December 7, 2023, IRCC announced a second temporary policy expanding the scope of its initial policy as noted in the above section.

To qualify under this expanded/second policy, you must: 

• Hold a valid study permit with proper off-campus work authorization imposed;
• Have submitted your study permit application (including extension) to IRCC between October 8, 2022 and December 7, 2023; 
• Maintain full-time enrollment in your academic term (or eligible to work in your final term as a part-time student), and 
• Meet all the other off-campus work eligibility requirements.

If you meet all the above criteria, you can benefit from this new policy from January 1, 2024 until one of the following dates, whichever comes first:

• Expiry date of your study permit that was applied between Oct 8, 2022 and Dec 7, 2023; 
or
• April 30, 2024

QUESTIONS?

If you have any additional questions relating to these temporary policies, enrollment requirements for international students, as well as your work eligibility, please reach out to an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist for assistance.