Work Hours Increase For International Students To 24 Hrs Per Week In Canada, Transfer Rules Tighten

International students in Canada can now work up to 24 hours every week, off-campus while their class is in session.

The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Marc Miller confirmed that new regulations are effective starting from November 15.

Earlier the limit was 20 hours per week.

IRCC had been planning this change since April 2024, as Miller had made the announcement earlier with no definite timeline for the change to take effect.

This cap applies only to the hours that students work off-campus while their classes are in session.

Students can still work for any number of hours within the campus or off-campus during breaks between academic terms.

The 24-hour cap struck "the appropriate balance so students have the option to work without compromising academic outcomes," Miller said.

Additionally, international students can no longer change schools without applying for a new study permit. They must apply for a new study permit before changing Designated Learning Institutes (DLIs).

Earlier, students were allowed to change schools on the same study permit as long as their IRCC online account was updated.

IRCC has done this to strengthen the integrity of the International Student Program (ISP).