Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that international students may work off‑campus for up to 24 hours per week while their classes are in session.

The permission to work off‑campus is not automatic; it applies only when a student’s study permit explicitly includes that condition.

Students who are eligible to work off‑campus must adhere to the 24‑hour weekly ceiling during academic terms.

Exceeding the permitted hours is considered a violation of study‑permit conditions and may lead to serious consequences, according to the IRCC.

Graduates who wish to remain in Canada after completing their programmes must obtain a separate work permit, such as a post‑graduation work permit (PGWP).

Applicants who have already submitted a PGWP application may work full‑time while the application is processed, provided they held a valid study permit at submission, completed their programme, and did not exceed the 24‑hour limit during their studies.

If any of those three conditions are not met, the individual must wait for the work permit approval before starting a new role.

The IRCC reiterated that working in Canada without proper authorisation is illegal.

Students who are not eligible for a PGWP may still have other work‑permit options, depending on their individual circumstances.

The announcement comes as Canada faces documented labour shortages, prompting the government to recruit foreign workers and students to fill gaps across various sectors.