New Student Work Measures Have Been Announced
The new measure is intended to address Canada’s long-standing labour shortages. Employers in Canada have been confronted with unprecedented difficulties in filling job vacancies. Labor shortages are at an all-time high, with nearly one million job openings. As a result, many people are turning to immigration to fill labour gaps.
International students could be crucial in filling these gaps. With nearly 500,000 foreign students in Canada available to work extra hours, this temporary change could have a significant impact on the labour market. It also demonstrates the importance of international students to the country and economy. Indeed, studies have shown that immigration is critical in addressing the labour shortage and filling critical jobs.
According to the IRCC, international students in Canada with off-campus work authorization on their study permit will not be restricted by the 20-hour-per-week rule from November 15, 2022 to December 31, 2023. Foreign nationals who have already applied for a study permit as of Friday will be able to take advantage of this temporary change, assuming their application is approved.
Previous Limitations
Previously, students could only work 20 hours per week off campus. This restriction was only lifted during breaks such as summer and winter vacations, or by other temporary measures in the past.
However, as the cost of living rises, many international students have advocated for an increase in the number of working hours permitted. Canada has been experiencing record-high inflation, which has impacted many people across the country. International students are particularly hard hit by rising inflation because they frequently pay much higher tuition rates than Canadian citizens. The new measure would allow students to potentially earn more money and better afford their tuition and living expenses.
When it comes to where to study, many people choose Canada. Canadian universities provide a high-quality education at a lower cost than other popular study destinations, such as the United States. Canada issued nearly 450,000 new study permits last year alone, and that number is expected to exceed 450,000 by the end of the year.
Options for Staying in Canada Following the completion of your studies
Many students who come to Canada want to make it their permanent home. As a result, the IRCC provides a few options for students who want to stay in Canada after finishing their studies.
The Post Graduate Work Permit is one popular option (PGWP). The PGWP provides open work permits to eligible international students. PGWPs enable the holder to work for any employer in Canada.
PGWPs are valid for eight months to three years and are an excellent way to gain valuable work experience in Canada. When an applicant has work experience in Canada, he or she has many more options for obtaining Canadian permanent residence.
Express Entry is another popular option for international students who want to stay in Canada after finishing their studies. Express Entry is the quickest and most popular path to permanent residency in Canada. Applicants are assigned a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and are ranked against other applicants in the Express Entry pool once they are accepted into the pool. Express Entry frequently favours candidates with Canadian work and study experience, resulting in a higher CRS score and, potentially, a higher ranking. This provides students and graduates in Canada with an excellent opportunity to obtain permanent residence.
