On April 29, 2024, the federal government announced that international postsecondary students will be able to work a maximum of 24 hours per week during term time, starting in September.
TIAO is disappointed by this announcement and will be assessing the impacts in consultation with postsecondary partners. TIAO had advocated for a permanent extension of the temporary 40-hour-per week work limit for international students to enable them to gain the necessary work experience for career mobility and to support the capacity for tourism and hospitality employers to meet employment demand.
During the pandemic, the federal government temporarily waived the 20-hour-per week work limit for international students, allowing them to work up to 40 hours per week during term time. This waiver expired for all students on April 30. The work hours limit will return to 20 hours per week until September, when the government can implement a permanent change to 24 hours per week.