To address the labor shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada’s Immigration Minister, Sean Fraser, announced a temporary change in the country’s working policy for international students on October 7, 2022. The revised working policy allows international students to work for over 20 hours per week while studying full-time in the country.
The interim policy was implemented from November 15, 2022, until December 31, 2023, which will exclusively affect full-time international students studying in Canada. Earlier students were restricted to working no more than 20 hours per week during breaks and holidays such as summer and winter. However, this constraint has been lifted during the designated timeframe.
Eligibility Criteria for Working in Canada while Studying
To be eligible to work while studying in Canada, international students must meet the following criteria:
Hold a valid study permit
Study full-time at a recognized learning institution
Be enrolled in an academic, vocational, or professional training program that is at least six months long and leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate
Have a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
International students who match these criteria can take advantage of Canada’s revised working policy and work more than 20 hours per week while studying full-time in the country. This shift will enable students to explore a broader range of employment opportunities and get significant work experience, which will enhance their careers in the long run.
Why the Working Hours Have Changed
The recent change in Canada’s policy regarding international students’ working hours is in response to the country’s labor shortage. Canadian businesses are struggling to fill job vacancies, with an unemployment rate of 5.4% in August and 5.2% in September, which are some of the lowest in history. This has led to nearly one million job vacancies as of July, which has affected the country’s economy.
By lifting the restriction on working hours for international students, Canada’s Immigration Minister, Sean Fraser, hopes to encourage them to work in service jobs and find employment in their field of study. This is expected to help alleviate the labor shortage and boost the country’s economy.
The new policy is aimed at providing international students with more job opportunities, allowing them to gain valuable work experience, and ultimately contributing to their career development. The hope is that by allowing international students to work more hours, they will be able to explore a wider range of employment opportunities and contribute to Canada’s economy while pursuing their studies.
Benefits of the Revised Policy
Lifting the cap on working hours for international students will provide them with a wider range of employment opportunities, making them less vulnerable to exploitative employers.
The revised policy will create more opportunities for international students to avoid being beholden to a single employer, giving them the freedom to pursue different jobs and gain diverse work experience.
The announcement of a pilot project to automate some approvals of study permit extension applications will address a backlog and make it easier for international students to extend their stay in Canada. This will provide them with more opportunities to gain valuable work experience, contributing to their career development.
Conclusion
Canada’s revised working policy for international students is a welcome change that will benefit both students and the country’s economy. By easing the restrictions on working hours, international students can explore a wider range of employment opportunities, gain valuable work experience, and contribute to the country’s labor force needs. This move also highlights Canada’s commitment to providing a welcoming environment for international students, who have become an increasingly important part of the country’s workforce.
(The writer, Mr. Ajay Sharma, is the President and Founder of Abhinav Immigration Services Private Limited)
