International students in Canada are being advised to continue working only 20 hours per week, as details about the new policy that would allow 24 hours of work per week are still not clear.
According to Immigration News Canada, key details about the policy change remain unknown, causing uncertainty for students, schools, and employers.
In April, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced that international students could work up to 24 hours per week off-campus starting in the fall of 2024. This change was seen as a relief for students who need to earn more money to support themselves.
However, as the fall season arrives, students are urged to keep following the 20-hour limit because the specifics of the new rules have not been finalized.
Reports note that this change would be a significant shift from the current rule of 20 hours per week for off-campus work.
The official announcement did not give an exact start date for the new policy, but stated that it would take effect “this fall,” with more details to be shared later.
Therefore, students should not increase their working hours until Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officially confirms the new guidelines.
There are several unanswered questions, including how the policy will be rolled out, whether there will be eligibility criteria based on the academic session, and the exact date when the new work hours will begin.
It is also unclear whether schools will have a role in monitoring students’ work hours or how compliance with the new rules will be enforced.
Reports suggest that increasing the work limit to 24 hours could have various effects on the Canadian job market, especially with current rising unemployment rates.
It is important for the Canadian government to address these concerns and provide clear instructions on how the policy will work.
The policy could offer international students more financial stability and help fill labour shortages in some sectors. However, the lack of detailed information has left many waiting for more clarification.
The international student community and their supporters are keeping a close watch on the situation, hoping for a clear and fair rollout of the policy change.
Until more details are provided, students are advised to stick to the current 20-hour work limit and wait for official updates from IRCC.
