Latest Changes to International Student Regulations – working off-campus
Posted on 19/11/2024
As we mentioned in October of this year, IRCC has been tightening up some features of the International Student Program in Canada. The following regulations are now in effect as of November, 2024. Make sure you understand these changes, especially if you plan on working in Canada during your studies here as an international student.
- To work off-campus you must:
- Be studying in a post-secondary academic, vocational, or professional program of study that lasts at least 6 months,
- And your study program must lead to a degree, certificate, or diploma.
- In Quebec, your vocational program can be at the secondary level.
- Your work must not exceed 24 hours per week.
- You may work full-time during academic breaks (generally in summer and in winter between terms).
- Your Designated Learning Institutions must submit reports twice a year to confirm that you are still enrolled at your DLI. International students who are no longer enrolled may be investigated and face enforcement action as they could be considered to be breaking their study permit conditions.
- Designated Learning Institutions in Quebec have been given a grace period in order to set up a reporting system.
Keep in mind as well that the IRCC verification system for Letters of Acceptance (LOAs) issued by DLIs has been busy since December 1, 2023, processing over 520,000 LOAs of which nearly 17,000 were found not to be compliant.
Finally, if you decide to change your school/DLI you must now apply for a new study permit before changing your school/DLI.
As we’ve already pointed in our previous blogs, here are some key points to keep in mind if you’re considering working during your studies.
- You must not start your work until you have started your studies in Canada.
- Your eligibility to work during your studies will be stated on your study permit.
- If you’re eligible to work off-campus, you won’t need a work permit.
- You must be a full-time student (see below for part-time students who might qualify).
- You must have a Social Insurance Number.
- If you’re a part-time student you only qualify if all of the following apply to you:
- You meet all the other conditions listed above and,
- You were a full-time student until your last term,
- You are part-time now because you don’t need to study full-time to complete your program requirements.
- You are NOT eligible for off-campus work if:
- You’re on authorized leave from your studies.
- You’re switching schools.
- You’re not studying.
- The following people cannot work off-campus with just a study permit and must instead apply for a work permit if they wish to work off-campus:
- Your study permit indicates you’re not authorized to work off-campus.
- You’re only enrolled in an English or French as-a-second-language course.
- You’re taking only general interest courses.
- You’re only taking courses to gain acceptance into a full-time program.
- You no longer meet the requirements to work off-campus without a work permit.
If you want to work after you complete your study program you must meet all of the following requirements:
- You were already eligible to work off-campus during your studies.
- You have applied for a work permit or a post-graduate work permit before your study permit expired.
- You’re waiting for a decision on your work permit application.
Posted in Tips and tagged Study Permit, Work without a work permit
