In April 2024, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced a potential policy change that could allow international students to work up to 24 hours per week off-campus starting this fall. However, key details are still missing, leaving students, educational institutions, and employers in suspense.
With the fall season—and the start of new academic sessions for international students—upon us, there’s growing anticipation and uncertainty about this new policy. While the announcement mentioned an implementation timeframe of “this fall,” no specific start date was provided.
Until Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) formally announces the policy details, international students should not assume they can work more than the current limit of 20 hours per week. The official guidelines and effective date are still pending.
Key Questions Awaiting Answers
The delay in detailed information has raised several important questions:
- Implementation Details: How will the 24-hour work policy be rolled out? Will it apply universally to all international students, or will there be criteria based on their academic session?
- Effective Date: When exactly will this new policy take effect? This is crucial for students planning their work schedules.
- Institutional Involvement: Will educational institutions be responsible for tracking students’ working hours? If so, what systems will be put in place to ensure compliance?
- Labour Market Impact: With rising unemployment rates, how will the government manage the balance between increasing work hours for students and addressing labour market concerns?
Looking Ahead
For the proposed 24-hour work policy to be effective and beneficial, the Canadian government needs to provide clear and detailed guidelines. This should include specific eligibility criteria, compliance monitoring mechanisms, and support structures for students.
The potential policy change could offer significant advantages, including greater financial stability for students and assistance in addressing labour shortages. However, the current lack of detailed information leaves many stakeholders—especially international students—waiting for clarity.
As the Canadian government prepares to finalize and release the specifics, the international student community and their advocates will be closely watching, hoping for a smooth and equitable implementation of this important policy shift.
