IRCC-related information

On May 4, 2023, the IRCC provided further clarification on the temporary policy that allows some students to work more than 20 hours per week off campus during the academic sessions, granted they meet all the eligibility requirements. 

1. Students who applied for their current study permit (initial or extension) on or before October 7, 2022:

• are eligible to work over 20 hours per week off campus during their academic sessions, up until the expiry date on their current study permit or December 31, 2023, whichever of these dates comes first.

2. Students who submitted the application for their current study permit before October 7, 2022, and who subsequently applied for a study permit extension after October 7, 2022:

• are eligible to work over 20 hours per week off campus during their academic sessions, up until the expiry date on their current study permit or December 31, 2023, whichever of these dates comes first.
• If the IRCC approves the study permit extension before the current study permit has expired, the student can continue to work over 20 hours per week off campus during their academic sessions up until the expiry date on their current study permit.
  
• If the current study permit expires in 2024, the student can work over 20 hours per week off campus during their academic sessions until December 31, 2023. 

3. Students who applied for their current study permit after October 7, 2022:

• are not eligible to work over 20 hours per week off campus during their academic sessions.

For details, please visit Work off campus as an international student, or contact your assigned International Student Advisor (ISA). 

Temporary residence IRCC applications submitted within Canada on or after February 23, 2023 require biometrics (unless otherwise exempt).    

The temporary policy exempting applicants from within Canada from providing their biometrics has been revoked. Students and their family members must now include valid biometrics in all IRCC applications submitted from within Canada, including study permit extension applications, CWP applications, PGWP applications, and Spouse Open Work Permit applications.    

Note: You only need to provide your biometrics once every 10 years. If you have already included your biometrics in a previous IRCC application, you can Find out if your biometrics are still valid.      

Source: Program delivery update: Removal of the public policy exempting foreign nationals in Canada applying for temporary residence from biometrics - Canada.ca      

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a temporary policy was put in place allowing students to complete their programs by distance learning from outside of Canada and still qualify to apply for the PGWP. This temporary policy remained valid until August 31, 2022. On September 1, 2022, the following changes were made to the policy:      

• From September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2023 (transition period)
• Students must complete at least 50% of their program from within Canada (regardless of whether courses are conducted online or in person).
• Time spent outside of Canada is not deducted from the total length of the PGWP, as long as it represents less than 50% of the program.
• From September 1, 2023 onwards (return to pre-pandemic conditions)
• Students must complete at least 50% of their program from within Canada, attending in-person classes on campus.
• Time spent outside of Canada is deducted from the total length of the PGWP.

For more information, visit Work in Canada after you graduate: Who can apply - Canada.ca        

Effective November 15, 2022 until December 31, 2023, the restriction limiting off-campus work to a maximum of 20 hours/week has been temporarily lifted. For more information, please refer to:            

• International students to help address Canada's labour shortage
  
• Federal govt. to lift work limit for international students - October 7, 2022 (video)

Please note: Not all international students in Canada who meet the requirements for off-campus work will be considered eligible to work more than 20 hours under this temporary rule. To be eligible, your initial study permit application or study permit extension application must have been received by IRCC on or before October 7, 2022. For details, please visit Work off campus as an international student, or contact your assigned International Student Advisor (ISA).           

Important reminders for international students

1. As an international student, you are still expected to comply with the conditions of your study permit, actively pursue your program of study, and make reasonable academic progress.
2. Your studies remain the priority. Make sure you attend classes regularly and submit assignments on time. Failing courses may negatively affect your current eligibility to work, as well as your future eligibility for a Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
   
• Use the Work Eligibility Self-Assessment Tool (WESAT) to determine your eligibility to work
  
3. To benefit from this temporary rule, international students must still meet all the requirements for off-campus work.
   
4. Students who have a reduced workload and are therefore considered registered as part-time remain ineligible to work on or off campus. Exception: If you are in your final term of your program and do not require a full course load to complete your program AND you have maintained full-time status for all previous terms.
5. Students that have elected to take a break from studies are ineligible to work during their break. Exception: If you have completed one program and you have been accepted into a second program. The time between the date of completion of your first program and the start date of your second program must be within 150 days to remain eligible to work.

This update may interest students who are planning to take a leave from studies.            

On January 10, 2022, IRCC added new information that affects Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) applications when international students take a leave from their studies.            

What hasn't changed: International students are allowed to take a leave from studies, if such leave is authorized by the college and it isn't longer than 150 days.            

What's new: From now on, PGWP applications will have to include documentation from the college proving authorization for taking the leave in their application.            

For more information, visit Post-graduation work permit eligibility requirements.

Students planning to take a leave from studies must contact their International Student Advisor (ISA) first to find out what steps they need to follow, the implications of taking a leave from studies and what to do if they plan to be away from their studies for more than 150 days.