Hon. Sean Fraser, Canadian Minister for Immigration, announces unique temporary measure
to lessen the impact of Canada’s unprecedented labor shortages. The new step will help over
500,000 foreign students work over 20 hours per week.
Canada plans to allow holders of study permits to work over 20 hours, off-campus during the study program between November 15, 2022, and December 31, 2023. The provisional decision covers all study permit applicants to date. The aspiring study permit applicants are eligible for the extra off-campus work reform after approval of their application by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada.
Canada is struggling with the impact of a severe labor shortage that caused a drop in Canada’s unemployment rate. According to Statistics Canada (StatsCan) report, the present unemployment rate is 5.2 percent against 5.4 percent in August 2022.
The existing cap over the number of hours a student can work off-campus is up to 20 hours a week during the study program. Students can work more during the holidays or long vacations, as the cap of 20 hours does not apply during scheduled holiday breaks. The off-campus work facility helps students earn money to support their needs without compromising their studies.
The temporary measure to remove the 20 hours cap on weekly off-campus work is in response to over one million job vacancies in Canada.
Canada continues to be a favorite destination among students from across the globe because of its world-class education and living standards.
