Canada's new work hours rule worries Indian students

Effective this Fall Semester (August-December academic period), the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced a new rule for international students concerning off-campus work hours, creating glaring concerns among international students.

- Aiman Siddiqui

Indian students, who constitute the largest group of foreign students in Canada, are particularly worried after the announcement of the new cap "especially as the cost of living is on a significant rise" in the country.

Their worries emerge from an announcement by the Justin Trudeau-led government that international students will be allowed to work up to 24 hours per week off-campus. "Eligible full-time students working off-campus can work 20 hours per week while class is in session. A new rule to increase to 24 hours per week is expected to take effect later this fall, as announced earlier this year," the IRCC posted on X (formerly Twitter).

But, citing escalating costs of living coupled with the housing crisis in Canada, some international students contend that the upcoming 24 hour work cap is insufficient to meet their financial needs. They believe that the new policy will directly impact the ability of students to pay tuition fees, supplement their income, and manage living expenses.

Speaking to The Free Press Journal, Siddhi Patel, a student of George Brown College, Toronto, expressed her concerns after the announcement. "Many students pay for their college fees and other expenses themselves. But the cost of living has increased tremendously, and many Indian students are struggling to make ends meet. A weekly cap of 24 hours will not be enough," she said.

Many bypassing work hours cap