International students are a vital part of Canada’s social and economic landscape. To ensure a positive experience for students and protect the integrity of the study permit system, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has implemented some key reforms.
Focus on Studies, Option to Work
The temporary policy allowing international students to work more than 20 hours off-campus has ended on April 30, 2024. Moving forward, this fall, the maximum off-campus work hours will be set at 24 hours per week. This change prioritizes academic success while offering students the flexibility to gain valuable work experience and contribute financially.
Research-Driven Decisions
The new regulations are based on research indicating a decline in academic performance for students working over 28 hours weekly. Additionally, exceeding 24 hours can increase dropout rates [reference the quick facts for the specific studies]. These findings align with practices in other developed countries like Australia (48 hours per fortnight) and the US (stricter limitations on off-campus work permits).
Supporting International Students
IRCC recognizes the financial challenges faced by international students. In December 2023, the cost-of-living threshold for study permit applications was raised to ensure students are financially prepared for Canadian life and less reliant on off-campus work.
Protecting Program Integrity
The new Recognized Institutions Framework rewards post-secondary institutions with high standards for international student selection, support, and retention. Additionally, the successful Letter of Acceptance (LOA) verification process helps identify fraudulent applications. Since December 2023, IRCC has verified nearly 142,000 valid LOAs and detected almost 9,000 fraudulent applications.
Minister’s Quote
“Working off campus helps international students gain work experience and offset some of their expenses… However, first and foremost, people coming to Canada as students must be here to study, not work. We will continue working to protect the integrity of our student program.” – The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Canada remains committed to attracting talented international students. These reforms aim to strike a balance between academic success, work opportunities, and program integrity, ensuring a positive and enriching experience for all students.
