Canada’s International Student Work Hours: What You Need to Know
Canada has introduced several significant updates for international students.
These changes, announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on November 15, include updates to work regulations and study permit requirements, designed to balance educational focus with work opportunities.
International Student Work Hours in Canada
Starting this year, international students in Canada can work up to 24 hours per week off campus during term time. This replaces the unlimited work hours allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic and slightly increases the pre-pandemic limit of 20 hours per week.
The adjustment ensures that students can support themselves financially while maintaining their focus on education. During scheduled breaks, such as summer or winter holidays, eligible students can still work full-time without needing a separate work permit.
Changes to Canada’s Study Permit Rules
IRCC has implemented new study permit requirements for international students:
Switching Schools: Students must now apply for and receive approval for a new study permit before changing their designated learning institution (DLI).
Compliance Reporting: Designated Learning Institutions are required to submit compliance reports to IRCC twice a year, confirming whether study permit holders remain enrolled in their programs.
If a school fails to meet compliance reporting requirements or verify acceptance letters, it may face serious consequences. These include being suspended from admitting new international students for up to a year.
Quebec’s Compliance Reporting Grace Period
Currently, DLIs in Quebec are exempt from compliance reporting requirements. IRCC is collaborating with the province to establish the necessary systems. Until these are in place, Quebec DLIs have a grace period before they must adhere to these rules.
Strengthening the Letter of Acceptance (LOA) Process
The Letter of Acceptance verification system, introduced on December 1, 2023, has significantly improved the integrity of the international student program. From December 2023 to October 2024, IRCC:
Processed nearly 529,000 LOAs submitted for verification.
Validated almost 492,000 LOAs directly with DLIs.
Identified over 17,000 LOAs that were either unissued or canceled before a study permit application was submitted.
This system ensures that only genuine students are granted study permits, reducing misuse of Canada’s international education system.
What These Changes Mean for International Students
These updates are designed to maintain the integrity of Canada’s international student program while providing opportunities for students to work and gain valuable experience.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller said: “By fixing the off-campus work limit to 24 hours per week, we’re striking the right balance between providing work opportunities and helping students stay focused on their education. We also expect institutions to support our efforts to preserve the integrity of the international student program.”
Staying Compliant with New Rules
International students must stay informed about their responsibilities, including maintaining enrollment, adhering to work hour limits, and complying with new study permit requirements. Schools and students alike are expected to play a role in ensuring the program’s success.
FAQ: Canada’s International Student Work Hours and Study Permit Changes
1. What are the new work hour limits for international students in Canada?
International students can now work up to 24 hours per week off campus during term time, an increase from the pre-pandemic limit of 20 hours. During scheduled breaks, such as summer or winter holidays, eligible students may work full-time. These changes aim to balance work opportunities with academic focus, ensuring students can financially support themselves without compromising their studies.
2. Can international students switch schools without updating their study permit?
No, international students must now apply for and receive approval for a new study permit before changing their Designated Learning Institution (DLI). This rule ensures students maintain valid study permits tied to their current institution and program, reinforcing compliance and protecting the integrity of the international student system.
3. What happens if a school fails to submit compliance reports?
Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) that fail to submit compliance reports to IRCC may face penalties, including a suspension from admitting new international students for up to a year. Compliance reporting ensures students remain enrolled in their programs and helps identify permit violations, enhancing program accountability.
4. Are Quebec schools required to submit compliance reports?
Quebec DLIs currently have a grace period before they must comply with reporting requirements. IRCC and Quebec are working together to establish the necessary systems. Once implemented, Quebec DLIs will need to submit bi-annual reports confirming international students’ enrollment, just like other institutions in Canada.
5. How does the new Letter of Acceptance (LOA) verification process work?
Introduced in December 2023, this system verifies LOAs submitted by international students applying for study permits. Between December 2023 and October 2024, IRCC validated almost 492,000 LOAs and flagged over 17,000 as invalid or canceled. This process ensures only genuine students are granted permits, safeguarding the program’s integrity.
Previous International Student Changes in 2024
In 2024, Canada implemented additional changes to its International Student Program to better manage the growing number of students and address challenges faced by institutions and students alike.
Study Permit Caps for 2024 and 2025
A two-year cap was introduced, reducing study permits issued by 35% in 2024 and by 10% in 2025, capping the number at 437,000.
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Updates
As of November 1, 2024, PGWP eligibility for public college graduates is limited to programs aligned with labor shortages.
Graduates with advanced degrees (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral) remain eligible for up to three years regardless of field.
Changes to Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWP)
Eligibility now requires the international student to be in a master’s program lasting at least 16 months.
Increased Financial Requirements
The Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) requirement increased from $10,000 to $20,635, reflecting higher living costs, potentially limiting access for students from lower-income countries.
Canada’s International Student Work Hours: What You Need to Know
Luis Diaz was fouled in Liverpool clash. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
Liverpool were 1-0 winners over Girona in the Champions League on Tuesday night and former Reds star Steve McManaman feels his old club got a little lucky. The Merseyside club arrived into the clash in Spain having won all five of their Champions League matches and Arne Slot’s men kept up their 100 per cent record with the victory.Girona caused Liverpool a lot of problems in the first half and the Reds boss can thank his goalkeeper Alisson Becker for keeping the home side out. The Merseyside outfit were much better in the second 45 minutes and it was during this half that the biggest talking point of the game emerged.Donny van de Beek would commit a clumsy challenge on Luis Diaz – who has recently been linked with a move away from Anfield – in the Girona box when the Dutch midfielder barely stepped on the winger’s heel.The referee viewed the coming together as a foul after being sent to the VAR monitor, resulting in Mohamed Salah converting the spot-kick.The incident sparked a lot of debate on social media and former Liverpool star Steve McManaman felt his old club were lucky to get the decision.
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Steve McManaman on the Liverpool penalty incident
Liverpool star Luis Diaz earned Liverpool a penalty. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)Speaking after the match, McManaman stated that he thought the penalty was harsh and compared it to the unpunished fouls that often happen during corners and free-kicks.“You expect the midfielders to go to close down and if you stand on an inch of his heel, it is very unfortunate,” the pundit said on TNT Sports. “With all respect, it is a contact game. We see a lot more contact at corners and free-kicks that go unmentioned so I don’t think it was a penalty regardless of the result.”
“He’s given the referee an opportunity to make a decision or VAR to get involved” ?@rioferdy5 and Steve McManaman give their verdict on Liverpool’s penalty ?
? @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/wwH4emYXiI
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 10, 2024Liverpool will feel fortunate that they were awarded the penalty but Van de Beek gave the referee a decision to make after making the clumsy foul in their own box.Slot’s men were not at their best in Spain but as seen several times this season, the Reds found a way to come away from the match with all three points. https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/12/10/liverpool-champions-league-tnt/
When it comes to home theater sound, one of the best brands to go with is Samsung. Over the last several years, Samsung surround sound systems and soundbars have done a phenomenal job at enhancing movie nights, which is why we’re always on the lookout for Samsung soundbar deals. As luck would have it, we came across a great one earlier today:
Right now, when you purchase the Samsung 3.1ch HW-Q6CC Soundbar, you’ll only pay $200. At full price, this model sells for $380.
Why you should buy the Samsung 3.1ch HW-Q6CC Soundbar
The HW-Q6CC is a Dolby Atmos soundbar, which means it can virtualize a full Atmos speaker configuration. Expect immersive audio, regardless of where you choose to sit or stand, plus a nice balance of highs, mids, and lows. And if you ever decide to relocate the soundbar to another room, Samsung’s Adaptive Sound Lite tech will automatically recalibrate the HW-Q6CC to the new space you place it in. Connectivity couldn’t be more effortless either: Thanks to HDMI eARC, you only have to worry about one wire going to your TV.
Far more than a home theater system, you’ll also be able to use the HW-Q6CC to stream music from a phone or tablet using Bluetooth. Pair two devices simultaneously and enjoy fast playback with Samsung’s Tap Sound feature, which lets you start playing a song from your phone through the Samsung soundbar just by tapping one device to the other.
While it’s hard to say how long this markdown is going to last, Samsung deals like this one have gone pretty quickly in the past. That being said, today might be the best day to save. Take $180 off the Samsung 3.1ch HW-Q6CC Soundbar when you purchase at Walmart, and be sure to check out our list of the best Walmart deals for even more holiday discounts!
https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/samsung-hw-q6cc-soundbar-deal-walmart-december-2024/
The case in which two city lawyers are accused of forgery has taken a new twist after a prominent law firm has been implicated for alleged convenience in misleading court.
In the letter dated December 3, 2024 to the Inspector of Courts, pastor Daniel Walugembe has accused the lawyers, Robert Ssenfuka and Umar Nyanzi of SK and Partners Advocates of colluding with their colleagues at H&G Advocates to commit the alleged crimes.
Through his lawyers, Walugembe states that there is coordinated convenience between H&G Advocates and SK and Partners Advocates whose sole intention is to mislead and bias court against him which is very unfortunate and regrettable.
“Your worship, it is evident that in the letter written by H&G Advocates dated 23rd December 2021, requested for certified copies of proceedings, plaint, affidavit of service, and written statement of defense, consent judgment and decree in Civil Suit No. 699of 2017. Indeed in the letter dated 9th December 2022,” reads the petition adding that Natukunda Jeneva the Deputy Registrar certified the same documents.
According to the petition seeking for the intervention of the judiciary authorities into the matter, Walugembe insists that nowhere the registrar “gave any agreement to H&G advocates which they purportedly passed on to SK and Partners who are their conduits.”
Petition indicates that H&G Advocates is the law firm that represents Makerere University in the case litigated with Walugembe before the Land Division of the High Court; “But at no single point has H&G ever brought this purported sale agreement to disapprove or show inconsistent in his claim.”
The petition copied to the Chief Justice and other lawyers, the lawyers; Ssenfuka and Nyanzi are accused of concocting information and documents with a view of misleading court.
Through his lawyers of Alma Associated Advocates, Walugembe accused the lawyers of misleading court in the sworn statements to the principal judge that their client, Dr Ntwatwa Lule has never been party to earlier cases before the High Court.
“On that basis alone, it is our considered view that a person who can advise his client to lie on oath cannot be trusted at all. To demonstrate to you the perpetual lies of the accused persons in the affidavit they drafted for their client, drawn by SK and Partners Advocates, they advised their client to lie that he has never been party to application number 434 of 2019,” reads the complaint.
The petition copied to the chief justice, judicial authorities and lawyers was in response to complaints challenging the private prosecution of the lawyers Ssenfuka and Nyanzi.
Ssenfuka and Nyanzi both attached to SK & Partners Advocates are accused of fraud in regard to alleged forgery of agreements for Kibanja in Katanga near Wandegeya.
Last week, the Magistrates Court at Buganda Road, Jalia Basajjabalaba issued criminal summons against Ssenfuka and Nyanzi to answer accusations of forgery and uttering false
The duo is expected to appear in court on December 17, 2024 for plea taking and also for hearing formal application in which they are challenging the legality of the charges.
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It is alleged that the lawyers Ssenfuka and Nyanzi attached to SK & Partners Advocates while acting for and on behalf of their client, Dr Ntwatwa Lule committed criminal acts.
Court documents indicate that the accused lawyers are alleged to have committed forgery, uttering false documents and conspired to commit a felony when knowingly and unlawfully altered sales agreements dated February 9, 1996 and August 13, 1996 respectively.
H&G Advocates Accused of Forgery as Court Documents in Walugembe Case Face Scrutiny