Canada Eases Work Rules for International Students, Allowing 24 Hours Off-Campus Weekly

November 19 :
An announcement by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has allowed certain international students to work off-campus for up to 24 hours per week without requiring a separate work permit. This change is expected to have an impact on thousands of students across the country. Students juggling schoolwork and their own financial responsibilities will greatly benefit from the new policy flexibility made possible by this decision.

Changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Program and the elimination of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) scheme are two examples of recent actions that have altered Canada's immigration environment, which the announcement follows. The goals of these changes are to stabilise the flow of international students and bring the system into line with the demands of the labour market.

Despite these changes in legislation, Canada is still a popular choice for Indian students looking to study abroad. But there are indications of a decrease in the numbers. According to a CBC News article, the number of people holding study permits dropped by 20% in June compared to the same month in 2023. The fact that 107,385 Indian students were granted study permits by Canada between January and July 2024 shows that there is still, if slightly less, interest in Canadian universities.

While resolving Canada's persistent labor shortages, this new work regulation is anticipated to grant overseas students more financial leeway. This program is an encouraging development toward the goal of helping overseas students achieve their academic and financial goals, especially in light of Canada's strict immigration regulations.