Canada Lifts Work Limit for International Students to Help with Labor Shortages

High-quality education, a safe environment, multiculturalism, thriving business hubs and many other reasons contribute to Canada being a preferred destination for international students. Canada has just added another interesting facet to this list - the lifting of the 20-hour work limit for post-secondary students. 

The work limit for international students in Canada is no longer restricted to 20 hours per week which is exciting news for those who were looking to get more work exposure there. 

While this set-up is temporary for now, it is a brilliant chance for international students to capitalize on this opportunity to gain a valuable education and work experience in Canada. If you are looking to study in Canada then this is a great time for you to enroll.

A win-win situation

According to an announcement made by Honourable Sean Fraser, the Canadian minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship, the new regulation allows full-time post-secondary international students to work off-campus with no upper limit. This new measure will be in place until the end of 2023 and hopes to counter the labor shortage that the country is facing. 

Previously international students could work off campus on a Canada work permit for 20 hours per week. Though now the situation in the country has drastically changed and while development and opportunities are on the rise, there is a scarcity of skilled workers to fill the vacant positions. 

Canada already has a thriving business hub which according to Seattle Times has a tech hub growing way more rapidly than any U.S. hub. It has offices of some of the biggest brands such as Amazon, Salesforce, Google, Brookfield Asset Management, Royal Bank of Canada and more. [NP1] [H2]

Organizations such as Salesforce, Samsung Electronic Canada Inc, Accenture, Deloitte, CIBC, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Thomson Reuters are busy recruiting new talent in Canada and this could be a golden opportunity for students who are wanting work experience in the country. 

While this is an advantageous situation for students who can gain work experience and can eventually smoothly transition to a full-time job role, it is equally beneficial for the country. Given the skill gap that Canada is facing, this step can help the nation sustain its growth and boost its business sectors effectively.

Golden opportunity for international students

Canada has long been a hot spot for international students looking to study abroad. The main reasons for that are the high-quality education that it offers along with the safe environment it offers, as it is very multicultural and welcoming to internationals. 

The high number of students making their way to Canada is evident by the statistics compiled by the Government of Canada. In 2021, nearly 367,000 new student applications were processed and more than 452,000 study permit applications have been processed from January to August 2022. 

International students look for off-campus work opportunities for various reasons. Earning some extra cash helps meet daily expenses and most importantly, it allows students to get exposure to the work culture of Canada. 

Lifting off the 20-hour-per-week work limit is an excellent opportunity for post-secondary international students in Canada. It will allow them to explore different job roles in the country which can range from a waiter to a salesperson or even a translator. Additionally, they will be able to put in more work hours and acquire essential expertise such as communication and interpersonal skills that will help them in their professional journey. 

Interested in studying in Canada? The new work limit for international students in Canada makes this the perfect time for you to enroll in a program and start your academic journey here. 

The Canadian College of Technology and Business (CCTB) offers a range of programs in technology, business and hospitality which will provide you with strong theoretical learning and practical training needed for success in the current job market. 

Each of the programs is designed as per the latest marketing trends and developments. At CCTB, each student is trained to inculcate the trending in-demand skill and knowledge which makes them a valuable asset for the organization.

CCTB specializes in career development, certification and technical training, with a strong foothold in business and information systems. An additional component that adds value to your education here is the co-op and practical work experience that is offered with the programs to help students implement their newly gained skills in real work scenarios. 

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