Ottawa is considering allowing international students to work off campus for more than 20 hours per week. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) launched a 30-day review on June 29 of proposed regulatory changes affecting Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs).
DLIs are colleges and universities approved by provincial or territorial governments to host international students.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, international students could work up to 24 hours off campus starting in November 2022. However, this limit was reduced to 20 hours on April 30, 2023.
An IRCC survey indicates that more than half of international students would work more than 20 hours per week if permitted. The potential economic benefit from this increase in work hours is estimated at $10.2 billion over 10 years, based on an hourly wage rate of $24.29.
The government hopes that increasing the allowed work hours for international students will help address labor shortages, particularly in low-wage industries.
In 2021, about 23.9 percent of international students without a work permit had earnings in the accommodations and food services sectors.
The Canadian Federation of Students has raised concerns about international students’ financial difficulties. Rising rents, living costs, and the lack of access to federal or provincial loans and grants have led some students to turn to food banks. There are reports of international students sharing beds, living in single rooms, and even experiencing homelessness.
The regulatory review includes measures to enhance DLI compliance and reporting. IRCC is seeking authority to suspend study permit processing for non-compliant institutions and require students to apply for new permits when transferring schools.
The review also addresses the need for better detection of fraudulent letters of acceptance and improved tracking of student enrollment status. These changes ensure students attend compliant DLIs and adhere to their study permit requirements.
Canada’s International Student Program (ISP) is a shared responsibility between IRCC and the provinces and territories. While the provinces and territories designate colleges and universities to receive international students, the federal government seeks to enhance its regulatory authority to ensure compliance and integrity within the program.
The post Ottawa Considers Extending Off-Campus Work Hours for International Students appeared first on CI News | Latest Canada Immigration News.
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