Maple News reports that international students who choose to stay in Canada during the summer months have an opportunity to work and earn income—provided they understand and follow federal employment regulations tied to their study permits.
To begin with, international students do not need a separate work permit to hold a job in Canada if their study permit includes work authorization. The permit must clearly state whether the student is allowed to work on campus, off campus, or both. Students who do not have work authorization on their study permit are not permitted to work under any condition.
A key factor that affects an international student’s ability to work during the summer is whether the time is considered a “scheduled break” in their academic calendar. Typically, summer is regarded as such a break unless the student is enrolled in classes. When on a scheduled break, students are permitted to work full-time — meaning 40 or more hours per week — without breaching the conditions of their study permit.
This flexibility is particularly relevant now, following the end of a special temporary policy from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Between October 2022 and April 30, 2024, international students were temporarily allowed to work more than 20 hours per week off campus during academic sessions. That policy has now expired.
Starting in fall 2024, a new IRCC rule will increase the permissible weekly off-campus work hours from 20 to 24 when classes are in session — a modest but permanent change. However, during summer 2024, students on an academic break are still allowed to work unlimited hours, as per IRCC’s current regulations.
This temporary period presents a valuable opportunity for students to boost their finances, gain Canadian work experience, and even strengthen future immigration prospects should they choose to stay in the country post-graduation.
Maple News encourages students to stay informed about evolving IRCC guidelines and to communicate with their designated learning institutions to confirm their academic schedules. Understanding when and how you can work legally is essential for maintaining status and making the most of your time in Canada.