International students studying in Canada are now eligible to work more hours off campus as the country continues to grapple with labour shortages, according to the country’s immigration minister.
Starting Nov. 15, a previous limit of 20 hours per week that eligible students enrolled in full-time studies are allowed to work off campus will no longer apply, Sean Fraser said during a news briefing in Ottawa Friday.
The temporary measures will remain in place until the end of 2023, he said.
“Through this change, the cap has been lifted. There’s not an upper limit,” Fraser told reporters at a coffee shop near the University of Ottawa campus.
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This will help sustain Canada’s COVID-19 pandemic growth and provide a boost to employers in sectors that are facing severe labour shortages, Fraser said.
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In addition, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is also rolling out a new pilot program to help automate the processing of applications to extend study permits.
“This pilot is actually going to free up our officers to focus their efforts on more complex applications and continue to help reduce immigration backlogs,” Fraser said.
More to come…
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