Canada has implemented significant changes to its International Student Program (ISP), including increasing the weekly work limit for international students and introducing stricter requirements for changing educational institutions. The updated policies, confirmed on November 15 by Immigration Minister Marc Miller, aim to strike a balance between work opportunities and educational focus while addressing fraud and financial vulnerabilities among students.
Under the new rules, eligible international students can work up to 24 hours per week off-campus during academic terms. This represents a modest increase from the previous 20-hour cap, which had temporarily risen to 40 hours during the COVID-19 pandemic to address labor shortages. That temporary measure ended in April 2023, reverting the work limit back to 20 hours.
The policy change aligns with Canada’s efforts to address ongoing labor shortages and provide students with more earning potential while ensuring that their primary focus remains on education.
“By fixing the off-campus work limit to 24 hours per week, we’re striking the right balance between providing work opportunities and helping students stay focused on their education,” Miller stated.
Students are still allowed to work unlimited hours during academic breaks when classes are not in session.
Stricter Rules for Changing Educational Institutions
Another significant change is the introduction of stricter requirements for international students looking to change Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs). Previously, students could switch institutions using the same study permit, provided they updated their details on their Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) account. However, under the new rules, students must obtain a new study permit before transferring to another institution.
This change is part of IRCC’s broader initiative to safeguard the integrity of the ISP. The government has also introduced more rigorous monitoring of DLIs to ensure compliance. Institutions are now required to submit reports twice a year, verifying whether enrolled students meet study permit conditions.
Compliance and Enforcement
The increased scrutiny extends to verifying letters of acceptance (LOAs) issued by DLIs. Between December 2023 and October 2024, IRCC reviewed 529,000 LOAs, confirming the validity of 492,000 and identifying over 17,000 as fraudulent or cancelled by DLIs before submission.
Institutions that fail to provide required compliance reports or validate LOAs may face penalties, including suspension from admitting new international students for up to a year. While these measures are already in effect nationwide, DLIs in Quebec have been granted a grace period to implement compliance reporting.
Addressing Broader Concerns
Canada’s adjustments to its international student policies are also part of broader efforts to manage the country’s temporary resident population. The government plans to reduce study permit issuances by 10% from 2024 targets, aiming to align temporary resident programs with long-term economic and housing goals.
These changes follow the recent discontinuation of fast-track processing streams such as the Student Direct Stream and Nigeria Student Express, which were designed for post-secondary applicants from specific countries.
With these measures, the Canadian government seeks to ensure that international students have a positive and successful experience while maintaining the integrity of the program and addressing challenges such as housing affordability.
Summary:
Canada’s new international student policies now allow 24 weekly work hours during school terms, with stricter regulations for changing schools and enhanced scrutiny for compliance among institutions. These measures aim to balance work opportunities for students while addressing program integrity and housing concerns.
