OTTAWA, October 7th, 2022  - Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has announced that starting from November 15, 2022, until December 31, 2023, international students with approved study permits will be able to work more than 20 hours per week in off-campus employment. Students across Canada applaud this change, as this means that international students will be able to earn more while studying, helping them offset tuition and living costs and gain valuable work experience. 

“International students are a vital part of Canada’s post-secondary institutions,” said the Chair of The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA), Christian Fotang. “Allowing international students to work more off-campus hours will help students afford their education and increase educational experiences. This is not only a win for international students, but also for Canada.”

With over 500,000 international students in Canada, these learners play a critical part in our classrooms, workplaces, and communities. The increase in working hours for international students will also play an important role in addressing Canada’s labour shortage while continuing to pursue their post-secondary studies. 

Throughout CASA’s advocacy efforts on international students’ concerns, expanding work opportunities has always been a top priority. Earlier this year, CASA’s Chair, Christian Fotang, appeared before the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration to discuss the importance of easing the barriers that international students face while trying to work in Canada. Today’s announcement shows support for the needs of international students and is a welcomed step toward improving their educational experience in Canada.   

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About CASA

Established in 1995, the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit national student organization composed of 22 student associations representing over 300,000 post-secondary students from coast to coast. Through our partnership with the Quebec Student Union/Union étudiante du Québec, CASA represents 365,000 post-secondary students across Canada. CASA advocates for a Canadian post-secondary education system that is accessible, affordable, innovative, and of the highest quality.

FOR INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT

Mackenzy Metcalfe, Executive Director

Canadian Alliance of Student Associations

Email: [email protected]

Office: 226-347-7656