Balancing study-work-life in Canada

May 7, 2024

the immigration smith

Does your immigration journey begin with an academic program of study in Canada? Do you intend to work while studying to earn that coveted Canadian work experience for permanent residency purposes?  

On April 29, 2024, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Marc Miller, announced that international students would be permitted to work a maximum of 24 hours per week while enrolled in full-time studies.

The idea behind this policy move – which situates the current maximum of 24 hours per week above the previous maximum of 20 – is to discourage students from prioritizing work over completing their studies. While any move that creates better economic opportunities for students is certainly welcome, there is a delicate balance involved in achieving academic success in Canada. Most students are accustomed to balancing a study-work life, but it’s easy to get lost when adapting to a new country and its systems. The absolute priority for international students is to remain compliant with study permit conditions as outlined in Section 220 of our Immigration Regulations – and to thereby ensure they remain eligible for the post-graduate work permit. 

The key problem, of course, is that life in Canada is expensive and spouses of most international students are no longer eligible for the spousal open work permit. This means that families that choose to come to Canada together will face increased pressure to pay living expenses. Since January 1, 2024, international students are required to prove they have at least $CAD 20,635 to support their living expenses in Canada – much more if accompanied by immediate family. In reality, minimum amounts required by IRCC are barely sufficient to live comfortably while studying in any big Canadian city. Working part-time (and earning Canadian work experience) is often essential to make financial ends meet.   

If your immigration journey in Canada involves a study-work plan, it is essential to be prepared for a strategic transition to the work-live plan. Maintaining the conditions of your studies – which includes not working more than 24 hours per week – is the single most important priority for international students. Unfortunately, a rising cost of living is putting additional pressure on families of international students to make financial ends meet.  

Action plan  

Register for an exclusive immigration webinar on the topic of studying, working, and living in Canada - contact us for more information. Scott Smith (“The Immigration Smith”) will guide you through the different study-work pathways, explain the conditions and limitations of working as a student in Canada, and happily answer all your immigration questions.