In an effort to address Canada’s labour shortage, the Liberal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is lifting the limit on the number of hours international students are allowed to work off-campus every week.
Canada’s Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said Friday the pilot scheme will run from Nov. 15, 2022 to Dec. 31, 2023.
Under the current arrangement, international students in Canada who are permitted to work off-campus under the terms of their study authorizations are limited to 20 hours of paid work outside their studies for each week class is in session but can work full-time during scheduled breaks.
“I don’t expect that every international student is going to suddenly start working full-time hours,” Fraser said. “It’s going to give them the flexibility to do so and it’s going to help employers tap into a new pool of labour.”
Fraser estimated around 500,000 students would be eligible for the program.
Immigration advocacy groups have welcomed the development.
