The Canadian government has ended the temporary policy allowing international students to work over 20 hours per week off campus.

The temporary policy ended on April 30 and a new limit of 24 hours per week will be implemented this fall, according to a press release.

The government stated that this decision was made to ensure that students prioritise their studies while still having the opportunity to work if needed.

The change aligns with policies in other countries and research indicating that academic performance suffers when students work more than 28 hours per week.

“Working off campus helps international students gain work experience and offset some of their expenses. However, first and foremost, people coming to Canada as students must be here to study, not work,” Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller said.

The government also highlighted the importance of protecting international students from financial vulnerability and maintaining the integrity of the International Student Program.

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International students who started a college programme delivered through a public-private curriculum licensing arrangement on or after May 15, 2024, will not be eligible for a post-graduation work permit.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has determined that 80% of international students are now working more than 20 hours a week.