From Nov. 15, 2022 to Dec. 31, 2023, qualified international students will be able to work more than 20 hours per week outside of their institutions. This move was made by the Liberal Government to help alleviate the current worker shortage in Canada. This action is reported to increase the Canadian economy and will also be a beneficial opportunity for international students who need more income.
Presently, students are only allowed to work in Canada if they have written permission on their study permits. If students are enrolled in courses and are working off campus, the maximum hours they can work is 20. If they are working at their institution, though, then they are not regulated by this limitation. By law, international students can only work full time hours if they are not at school due to holidays and reading breaks.
In order to qualify to work off site of an institution, international students are required to be a full-time student, working towards a degree, diploma or other certification, at a recognized post secondary school, with their program of study being a minimum of 6 months. They must also have a social insurance number.
According to a press release by Sean Fraser, minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship, there is a need for more workers in Canada as the economy continues to expand, and enabling international students to work more hours during the week is a way to address that need.
“I think it is very good for international students and it is easy for students to get their fees for the next semester,” said Kamalveer Kaur, a current UFV international student.
“Compared to the cost of living in Canada, 20 hours does not go a long way. This decision alleviates some of the financial burden these students face on a daily basis while recognizing there’s more work to be done.” said Melissa Chirino, chairperson of B.C. Federation of Students in a recent press release.
On a yearly basis, it was reported that international students pay 430 per cent more than domestic students do in tuition, according to Chirino’s press release. On top of this expense, international students also have to face additional costs such as food, shelter, bills, etc., in order to survive.
“It is a great opportunity for international students because, by getting more hours for working, they can easily manage all their expenses,” said Sukhmanjot Kaur, a current UFV international student.
According to the press release by Fraser, there is also a new pilot program that will reportedly help speed up the procedure to extend study permits, which is in the works by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Other students at UFV unanimously agree that enabling international students more opportunities to work for longer hours during the week is a positive thing.
“I feel like it’s a good time to [remove the 20 hour cap]. [International students] probably need the money and hours to try and work … and there is a huge demand for a workforce right now,” said Daniel Dam, a nursing student in the Bachelor of Science program at UFV.
According to Fraser, there are reportedly over 500,000 international students who are qualified and able to work more.
“I think it is a good opportunity for students to gain more experience, especially in today’s job market where that is really valued. As someone from parents that are immigrants and international people, I think it’s a really good way to integrate people into society more,” said Linh Nguyen, a fourth year student in the nursing program.
Rachel is working towards a BA with a concentration in English and Theatre. She has been employed at The Cascade since Fall 2021 as a Staff Writer and a Jr. News Editor. Currently, she is the sectional News Editor and enjoys meeting and interviewing people as well as taking long walks in nature. Rachel also likes to stay up to date on the latest trends and informs students through her fashion column entitled Campus Fashion.
