In the latest Canada news for international students, a recent announcement was made by Canadian Immigration Minister Sean Fraser. There was relieving news for all international students. The country has released a new measure allowing foreign students to work more than 20 hours a week off-campus. This release was made in light of the current labor shortages with an aging retiring population increasing in numbers. In a brief, this temporary IRCC study permit update demonstrates the crucial role international students have the potential to play in meeting the skilled/semi-skilled labor gap consecutively pursuing their studies.

Amid Canada’s economic recovery and growth, employers and facing challenges to closing the labor market gap and retaining workers. Thus, all international students currently eligible for post-secondary courses will be allowed to work-off campus while pursuing their studies for more than 20 hours. Starting 15 November 2022 to 31 December 2023, foreign students residing on Canadian grounds, having off-campus work authorization, and foreign nationals who already have their visa application submitted and study permit approval letter, will benefit from this change.

The move will increase opportunities for many international students to gain valuable work experience in Canada and improve workforce availability to sustain Canada's post-pandemic growth. With more than 500,000 international students already working overtime in Canada, this temporary change reflects that international students can play a key role in addressing labor shortages while continuing their studies. Those who drop out of college or reduce their study load to part-time study are not eligible to work off-campus, so study permit holders are expected to balance their studies and work commitments.