Canada has introduced notable updates to its international student policies, announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on November 15. These changes aim to balance educational priorities with work opportunities, focusing on revised work regulations and updated study permit requirements.

Revised Work Hour Limits for International Students

As of this year, international students are permitted to work up to 24 hours per week off campus during academic terms. This adjustment replaces the unlimited work hours allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic and slightly increases the pre-pandemic cap of 20 hours per week.

This change allows students to support themselves financially while ensuring their academic focus remains intact. During scheduled breaks, such as winter or summer holidays, eligible students can continue to work full-time without needing a separate work permit.

Updates to Canada’s Study Permit Rules

IRCC has introduced new requirements for study permits, which include:

• Switching Institutions: Students are now required to apply for and obtain approval for a new study permit before transferring to a different Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
• Compliance Reporting: DLIs must now submit compliance reports to IRCC twice annually, confirming that permit holders remain enrolled in their programs.

Institutions failing to meet these compliance obligations or verify Letters of Acceptance (LOA) may face severe repercussions, such as a suspension from admitting new international students for up to one year.

Compliance Reporting Grace Period in Quebec

Currently, DLIs in Quebec are exempt from compliance reporting as the province works with IRCC to implement the necessary systems. Until these systems are operational, Quebec institutions benefit from a grace period.

Enhancing the Letter of Acceptance (LOA) Process

On December 1, 2023, IRCC launched an improved LOA verification system to strengthen the integrity of the international student program. From December 2023 to October 2024, this system has:

• Processed nearly 529,000 LOAs for verification.
• Validated almost 492,000 LOAs directly with DLIs.
• Identified over 17,000 LOAs as either unissued or canceled before a study permit application.

This robust verification ensures that study permits are issued only to legitimate students, reducing misuse of the program.

Implications for International StudentsThese updates are intended to protect the integrity of Canada’s international student program while offering students opportunities to work and gain valuable experience. Immigration Minister Marc Miller stated, “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. We also expect institutions to support our efforts to preserve the integrity of the international student program.”

Staying Compliant with the New Rules

It is vital for international students to stay informed about their responsibilities, including adhering to work hour limits, maintaining active enrollment, and complying with updated study permit requirements. Both institutions and students are expected to contribute to the program’s success.