Off-campus work rules for international students: May 2026 update - CIC…
The temporary measure, introduced in October 2022 and extended multiple times through spring 2026, permitted full-time study permit holders to work without hourly restrictions while classes were in session. That policy expires August 31, 2026. The return to the 20-hour cap marks a shift back to the framework that governed international student employment before the pandemic-era labor shortages prompted Ottawa to relax the rules.
Under the reinstated policy, students holding valid study permits may work up to 20 hours per week during fall and winter academic terms. Scheduled breaks—including summer, winter, and spring reading weeks—remain exempt from the cap, allowing full-time work during those periods. Students must maintain full-time enrollment status at a designated learning institution to qualify for any off-campus work authorization. Co-op placements and on-campus jobs do not count toward the 20-hour limit.
"The government is committed to supporting international students while ensuring program integrity," the announcement notes, signaling Ottawa's intent to balance student financial needs with concerns about study permit misuse.
The change directly affects approximately 900,000 international students currently enrolled at Canadian colleges and universities, particularly those in high-cost urban centers like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal who have relied on extended work hours to cover rent and tuition. Students from India, China, the Philippines, and Nigeria—the four largest source countries for Canadian study permits—will see the most significant impact, as many in these cohorts work near full-time during academic terms under the current rules.
Students should review their work schedules before September 1 to ensure compliance with the 20-hour weekly threshold. IRCC tracks work hours through Social Insurance Number records and employer reporting; exceeding the cap can result in study permit revocation and future inadmissibility. Those needing more than 20 hours of income should explore on-campus positions, which carry no hourly restrictions, or confirm that their program includes scheduled break weeks when unlimited off-campus work remains permitted. Check your study permit conditions in your IRCC online account to verify your work authorization status before the fall term begins.