Ben Andrews
Oct 7, 2022
International students previously not allowed to work more than 20 hours outside school each week
The Liberal government is lifting the limit on the number of hours international students are allowed to work off-campus each week in an effort to address Canada's labour shortage.
The pilot project will run from Nov. 15, 2022 to Dec. 31, 2023, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said Friday.
International students in Canada who are authorized to work off-campus under the terms of their study permits previously were limited to 20 hours of paid work outside their studies for each week class was in session. These students could work full-time during scheduled breaks.
"I don't expect that every international student is going to suddenly start working full-time hours," Fraser said. "It's going to give them the flexibility to do so and it's going to help employers tap into a new pool of labour."
Fraser estimated around 500,000 students would be eligible for the program.