Canada is opening its doors to international students in the hopes of easing its labor shortages. According to Immigration Minister Sean Fraser, over 500,000 international students in Canada can now work more hours under a new temporary measure that will take effect from November 15, 2022, until December 31, 2023.
The temporary measure will apply to foreign nationals who have submitted a study permit application as of today, and to those who already have off-campus work authorization on their study permit. These students will be allowed to work over 20 hours per week off-campus while class is in session.
Fraser highlighted the significance of this measure in addressing the labor shortages that Canada is currently experiencing. He stated that the new policy will allow over 500,000 eligible international students already in Canada to potentially work more hours.
Canada is considered one of the top destinations for international students worldwide, hosting over 620,000 international students in 2021, which has tripled over the past two decades. Fraser noted that Canada has already processed more than 452,000 study permit applications between January and August of 2022, a 23 percent increase compared to the same period in 2021. This year, Canada has already broken the record it set for study permits processed in a calendar year.
The new policy is expected to offer more employment opportunities to international students and contribute to the growth of Canada’s economy. The policy is expected to benefit the following cases:
- Your study permit has already been issued
- Your study permit has been approved, but you have not yet arrived in Canada
- You submitted a study permit application before October 7, 2022, and are awaiting approval.
This measure is temporary, but it could be extended depending on how effective it is in addressing Canada’s labor shortages. International students who plan to work in Canada should take advantage of this opportunity and ensure they meet the eligibility requirements.