Off-Campus Work Hours Limit for International Students

From: Katherine Beaumont, Senior Director, Global Learning Opportunities and International Student Success
Date: October 20, 2022
Re: Off-Campus Work Hours Limit for International Students


Immigration Canada (IRCC) recently announced that, from November 15, 2022 until December 31, 2023, international students who are in Canada and who have off-campus work authorization written on their study permit will not be restricted by the usual 20-hour-per-week limitation. (Students who first apply for a study permit after October 7, 2022 will not be covered by this temporary policy change.)

Despite this policy change, international students will still be advised to apply for a co-op work permit for their internships/co-op terms.

Students who are not enrolled in a U of T internship/co-op program may be able to work for an off-campus employer full-time during academic terms, so long as they also maintain full-time registration status in their studies and meet all the other eligibility criteria for this temporary policy.

Many international students value the opportunity to apply for a post-graduation work permit upon completion of their studies, and carefully following all regulations regarding work authorization during their studies is an important eligibility requirement for the post graduate work permit. Students who are uncertain about their eligibility under this temporary policy can be referred to the Immigration Advisors at the Centre for International Experience. Information regarding on- and off-campus work is posted at the campus specific international student immigration websites:  UTSG CIE, UTM IEC, UTSC ISC.

Staff with questions can contact local international student advising teams.  

UTSC – isc.utsc@utoronto.ca

UTM – international.utm@utoronto.ca

UTSG – isa.cie@utoronto.ca