The Canadian government has implemented clarified and tightened regulations governing employment for international students, including the significant Indian student population, effective from 2026. These changes aim to reinforce that education, not employment, is the primary purpose of a study permit, addressing concerns over academic performance and local job market pressures.
Eligibility and Conditions for Working in Canada
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), foreign nationals can work in Canada without a separate work permit only under specific conditions. To be eligible, a student must hold a valid study permit and be enrolled as a full-time student at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). The academic program must lead to a degree, diploma, or certificate, have a duration of at least six months, and the student must have already commenced their studies.
Critically, the study permit document itself must explicitly state that the holder is permitted to work. Before starting any job, students are legally required to obtain a Social Insurance Number (SIN).
Weekly Work Hour Limits: On-Campus vs. Off-Campus
The core change for the 2026 academic year concerns off-campus employment. During regular academic sessions, eligible international students are permitted to work a maximum of 24 hours per week off campus. This cap replaces a temporary pandemic-era measure that allowed unlimited hours and is a revision from the pre-pandemic limit of 20 hours.
Officials state this 24-hour rule seeks to balance the need for students to support themselves financially with the imperative to maintain academic focus. However, during scheduled breaks like summer and winter holidays or reading weeks, students can work unlimited hours, provided they maintain their full-time enrolment status.
For on-campus employment, the rules are more flexible. Students can work on campus without any weekly hour limit if they have a valid study permit, are enrolled full-time, and the employer is their own educational institution or a business physically located on the campus grounds. The IRCC notes these roles are often more aligned with academic schedules but are limited and competitive.
Why the Rules Were Tightened and Consequences of Violation
The policy shift is part of a broader overhaul of Canada's international student programme, which also includes caps on study permits and stricter financial proof requirements. Authorities have expressed concern that unrestricted work hours led some students to prioritise jobs over their education, negatively impacting academic outcomes.
Working beyond the permitted hours is treated as a serious violation of study permit conditions. The IRCC warns that consequences can include the loss of student status, refusal of future visa or work permit applications, and complications in obtaining a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) or permanent residency.
Significance for the Indian Student Community
This update holds substantial importance for Indian students, who constitute the largest cohort of international students in Canada. With consistently rising tuition and living costs, part-time work is a financial necessity for many. The clarified 24-hour limit during sessions provides a clear framework, while the unlimited hours during breaks offer crucial earning opportunities.
Students are advised to meticulously adhere to these rules to protect their immigration standing and future prospects in Canada. The government's message is clear: the study permit is for education first, with work intended as a supplementary support mechanism.
