Canada to implement 24-hour weekly work cap for students from fall

Canada’s Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that the new rule capping work hours for international students at 24 hours per week will come into effect later this autumn.

The announcement, made via IRCC’s official social media accounts, follows an earlier statement from Minister Marc Miller in May 2024.

Currently, eligible full-time international students in Canada are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week while their classes are in session.

With the upcoming changes, students will be permitted to work 24 hours per week, offering them greater financial flexibility while ensuring they focus on their studies.

While the new cap on work hours applies



during academic sessions, international students on scheduled academic breaks will still be able to work unlimited hours.

This flexibility remains crucial for students looking to support themselves financially during extended holidays.

Canada took this decision after research showed that working more than 24 hours a week can negatively impact academic performance.

A study conducted in both the US and Canada indicated that students who work more than 28 hours per week are more likely to face challenges in their coursework and could even drop out of their programme.

By limiting work hours, the government aims to maintain the academic integrity of international students' experience in Canada.