The Canadian government has introduced a new rule of 20-hour cap on work hours for international students in Canada.

The new rule will go into effect from September.

An impending federal rule that allows international students in Canada to work up to 24 hours a week off-campus while classes are in session will negatively impact them, students and advocates said.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller has said the new cap will ensure that international students can focus on their studies while having the option to work. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Liberal government temporarily waived the 20-hour cap on work hours for international students to ease labour shortages, but that waiver expired April 30.

“Students who want to come here have to realize that they can only work 24 hours in order to offset some of their costs or bring the material resources themselves when they come here,” Miller said on April 29.

During the summer, the federal government allowed students on an academic break to work 40 hours or more a week, but limited those taking full-time programs to 20 hours a week.

“That will be ramped up after the consultation and regulation period to 24 hours in September,” Miller added.

The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada has been contacted by CBC Toronto for details, but has not yet heard back.