New Policy Restricts International Students to a Maximum of 24 Work Hours Per Week

International students in Toronto are set to be impacted by a new federal rule limiting them to 24 hours of off-campus work per week in Canada, according to students and advocates. The rule, which takes effect this month, was introduced by Immigration Minister Marc Miller to help students prioritize their studies while still allowing some work opportunities.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadian government temporarily lifted the previous 20-hour work cap for international students to address labor shortages, but that waiver ended on April 30.

However, Moshe Lander, an economics professor at Concordia University in Montreal, expressed concerns about the new limit, noting that studying at the post-secondary level demands significant time and that 24 hours of work per week could detract from students’ ability to focus on their courses.

“As an instructor, I’m skeptical that 24 hours still allows students to concentrate effectively on their studies,” Lander said, questioning whether the new cap is appropriate given the demands of higher education. He added that students may prioritize earning money over their studies, potentially weakening the quality of their education and the value of their degrees.

In a news release on April 29, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada explained that the new cap was developed by considering the needs of students, policies in other countries, and research showing that excessive work hours can negatively affect academic performance. The department emphasized that the rule seeks to strike a balance, enabling students to work without compromising their academic success.

Minister Miller underscored the importance of supporting international students to ensure they are successful and properly focused on their studies.