On November 15, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirmed that that new regulations impacting the International Student Program have now taken effect.
Key Changes
The regulations include a new limit to the number of hours international students may work off campus.
- With this change, eligible students can now work up to 24 hours per week off campus while their classes are in session.
- To work off campus without a work permit, international students must be studying full-time in a post-secondary academic, vocational, or professional training program, or a vocational training program at the secondary level offered in Quebec, that lasts at least six months and leads to a degree, diploma or certificate.
- International students who are eligible to work off campus may work full-time during breaks in their academic calendar, such as the summer break between school years or the winter break between semesters.
- International students must now apply and be approved for a new study permit before changing learning institutions.
What to Expect
Twice a year, designated learning institutions (DLI) are expected to submit a report to the IRCC that indicates whether each study permit holder associated with their school has remained enrolled. Students who are no longer enrolled can be investigated and face enforcement action, as they may be breaking their study permit conditions.
There will now be consequences for DLIs that fail to submit compliance reports or verify acceptance letters. With this change, a DLI could be suspended from welcoming new international students for up to a year for failing to provide the required information.
Designated learning institutions in Quebec have not, to date, participated in student compliance reporting. It will take Quebec and the IRCC some time to set up this reporting system for Quebec DLIs. As such, Quebec DLIs have a grace period before they are required to comply with the compliance reporting requirement.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.