Revisions to Canada's 20-hour workweek rule: It's time for students to put their financial problems behind them

When you think you have overcome all financial obstacles by travelling abroad to pursue your ambition of studying abroad, you are suddenly made aware of all the difficulties that come with being labelled as an "immigrant." You are ready to pay for food, electricity bills, tuition, or other expenses in a foreign country before setting out on your journey. However, when inflation and COVID-19 strike you simultaneously, the much-desired "Canadian dream" seems to be crumbling.

There is no doubt that Canada is a top destination for talent from around the world, but it continues to experience a labour shortage in almost all of its industries. Employers actively employ a variety of strategies to entice and keep talented and skilled people. And because of this pressing necessity, immigration is the only surefire means to support Canada's economic expansion.

As a result, the temporary relaxation of the 20-hour per week cap on the number of hours a post-secondary student is authorised to work off campus was announced by Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, on October 7, 2022. Additionally, they have chosen to accept 1% of Canada's population as immigrants. In turn, this will aid the nation in overcoming its demographic, labour, and economic issues.

How will the pupils benefit from these policy changes?

More than 6,00,000 international students study in Canada, 2,40,000 of whom are from India, according to the latest statistics. This indicates that the students would be able to ensure their financial futures despite the Indian rupee's ongoing fall against the Canadian dollar. They are now able to take on more part-time employment and use their earnings to pay their bills. They will also be independent of the minimal finances provided by their Indian parents. You must agree that this is fantastic news for all students

If this work restriction is lifted, students will be able to choose the job that will provide them with the most job opportunities and the necessary work experience for their future. They won't be at the mercy of any employer anymore, and they can choose the one who best utilises their skills and abilities.

In order to enhance the overall client experience and welcome more qualified, talented, and ambitious students from different parts of the world, the government has recently announced a pilot project to automate and hasten the processing of study permit extension applications.

Remember that you must fulfil the following requirements in order to work on- or off-campus:

You must be enrolled in a course leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate at a recognised educational institution. Only after the start of your study, not before, are you permitted to work part-time jobs. A Social Insurance Number is required (SIN). You can only obtain employment, compensation, and access to a wide range of government services and benefits through this number.

How can Canadian student increase their funds and get employment?

Find a job on campus - The most dependable strategy to find employment is to look for on-campus employment. You can put in as many hours as you'd like, and doing so will help you gain the practical experience you'll need for future full-time employment. If you are a student of information technology, you can speak with the technical department to learn more about the duties and salary. Any creative position would be ideal if you work in the media, and if you are studying business studies, you may choose a position as a research, sales, or marketing assistant.

Take many part-time jobs off campus. International students have a wide range of off-campus employment possibilities at their disposal now that there is no restriction on the number of hours one can work in a week. Here is a list of some of the jobs that are most in demand, along with the average hourly wage they often command.

The possibilities are literally endless! The minimal part-time wage for an international student is 10 CAD, regardless of the position they hold. So be sure to bargain.

Join full-time positions over the winter and summer breaks - As you can easily take on full-time jobs or sign up for overtime during your vacations or holidays, don't forget to double your savings at this period. To apply for these positions, however, you must be a full-time student both before and during the break.

You must first create a thorough CV that highlights your educational background, abilities, accomplishments, and experiences in order to successfully apply for student jobs in Canada. To find part-time or full-time student employment in Canada, you can also rely on internet job portals, regional newspapers, career centres, bulletin boards, and word-of-mouth.

The Next Step
It can be intimidating to study and support oneself financially as a student abroad. While students have always been responsible for covering these costs, concerns about money started to surface after the epidemic and inflation emerged. So, certainly, you are correct to wonder why you decided to relocate so far abroad. But you shouldn't let these restrictions stop you. In recent times, the Canadian government has taken a number of steps to ensure that you do not bear the burden of such issues.

Canada is prepared to address the labour shortage and give every student a warm, supportive atmosphere by lifting the restriction on working for 20 hours a day, reducing immigration regulations, and creating a package of advantages for international students. Therefore, if you have considered studying abroad, now is the ideal time to make your ambition a reality.