Hello future neighbour,
Canada made multiple changes in the beginning of the year in a bid to improve the welfare of international students. Some of these changes included an increase in the cost of living which took effect from January 1, 2024, also the requirement of a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from the province where the student will reside. A cap was also placed on the number of international students received annually thereby reducing the number of temporary residents by limiting the eligibility for Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) and Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP).
These changes have been contested by international students who have complained about the PGWP and SOWP.
Recently, the Immigration Minister, Marc Miller extended the full-time work policy for eligible international students to April, 30, 2024, this is to enable the students sustain their cost of living.
Not all students are eligible to work, only study permit applicants meeting the below criteria are eligible until April 30, 2024:
If study permit application (or extension) was received by IRCC by October 7, 2022
If any of the following apply to you, you may work off campus for more than 20 hours per week between November 15, 2022, and April 30, 2024:
- You are a full-time student at a DLI with a study permit (or part-time if it’s your last semester of study).
- Despite the expiration of your study permit, you have kept your status and are enrolled full-time (or part-time if it’s your last semester) in classes at a DLI.
If study permit application (or extension) was received by IRCC between October 8, 2022, and December 7, 2023
If any of the following apply to you, you may work off campus for more than 20 hours per week between January 1, 2024, and April 30, 2024:
- You are a full-time student at a DLI with a study permit (or part-time if it’s your last semester of study).
- Despite the expiration of your study permit, you have kept your status and are enrolled full-time (or part-time if it’s your last semester) in classes at a DLI.
- Although your study permission has been granted, you have not yet entered Canada.
Any individual who has submitted a study permit application or extension to IRCC after December 7, 2023, is ineligible to work more than 20 hours.
IRCC is however considering increasing the off-campus working hours for students to 30 hours weekly while class is in session.
Need help obtaining a visitor visa to visit Canada, or professional help putting in a study visa application, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Book a consultation or send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com