The work permit rules allowing international students to work for unlimited hours in Canada are to end soon. From November 15, 2022, until December 31, 2023, international students were allowed to work more than 20 hours per week off campus while class was in session. However, in order to work more than 20-hours per week, they needed to meet the eligibility requirements.

According to the new work-permit rules in Canada introduced in November 2022, international students in Canada who have off-campus job authorization on their study permit will not be bound by the 20-hour work-week limit till December 31, 2023.

Typically, international students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week by taking up more than 1 job to make up these hours as long as they continue to meet the conditions of their study permit. Students can only start working in Canada when their study program has started and are not allowed to work before they start their studies.

Students and their employers must make sure that they can work off campus without a work permit before they start working. If students start working off campus but don’t meet the conditions and eligibility requirements, they may have to leave Canada.

Eligibility Conditions: Study Permit Applied on or Before October 7, 2022

You can work more than 20 hours per week off campus if you’re in any of the following situations:

You’re a study permit holder.

Your study permit has expired, but you have maintained your status and are studying at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) full-time (or part-time if it’s your final academic semester).

You’re approved for a study permit but haven’t arrived in Canada yet.

In addition, you must meet all of these requirements to be eligible:

You are in Canada or have re-entered Canada by December 31, 2023.

You must have one of the following conditions printed on your study permit:

May work 20 hours per week off campus or full-time during regular breaks

May accept employment on or off campus if meeting eligibility criteria

Eligibility Conditions: Study Permit Applied After October 7, 2022

If your original study permit, which you’re applying to extend, expires between November 15, 2022, and December 31, 2023, you can work more than 20 hours per week off campus. You must stop working more than 20 hours per week on the day your original study permit expires.

You must also meet all of these requirements to be eligible:

We received the application for your original study permit (which you’re applying to extend) on or before October 7, 2022.

You’re a study permit holder who is studying at a DLI full-time (or part-time if it’s your final academic semester).

You are in Canada or have re-entered Canada by December 31, 2023.

You must have one of the following conditions printed on your study permit:

May work 20 hours per week off campus or full-time during regular breaks

May accept employment on or off campus if meeting eligibility criteria