International students will no longer have to apply for a separate permit to work off campus.
As of June 1, students studying in Canada for six months or more may obtain a study permit which automatically allows them to work for up to 20 hours a week, according to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website.
Current regulations say that international students who want to work off campus must apply for an off-campus work permit through CIC, a process that takes five to six weeks.
International students may work on campus without a permit.
Amanda Lannan, spokesperson for the CIC, said this is one of the many new regulations being launched this spring by the CIC, with high hopes to “enhance Canada’s reputation as a destination of choice for international students.”
“It is anticipated that these measures will help reduce instances of fraud . . . improve overall services to international students and educational institutions and strengthen Canada’s overall image as a study destination of choice for prospective students,” Lannan said by email.
By recognizing the economic challenges of studying internationally, she said the new regulation will add to Canada’s appeal in “attracting the best and brightest students from around the globe.”
Total expenses for an international student at Carleton University add up to about $38,000 a year, according to Carleton’s website. This includes tuition, room and board, books, supplies, and allots $2,000 for personal expenses.
John Nelson, manager of the International Student Services Office (ISSO) at Carleton, said work-related resources are a “popular request” among international students.
Nelson said the ISSO’s main goal is to be “able to support [international students] and finding them the services they need.”
In 2013, changes were made to Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, banning third parties from representing or giving advice to international students, Nelson said.
Nelson explained this means the ISSO has no control over regulation processes and directs students seeking work permits to the CIC.
He said these changes are good for international students looking for work, however it will not directly affect the Carleton system.
“The ISSO will continue to support the students in the same way by ensuring that they reach the CIC team for help,” he said.
Abhinav Gambhir, a third-year Carleton international student studying computer systems engineering, said he received a work permit online through the CIC a year ago but has yet to put it to use.
“There are a lot of reasons why an international student works or not,” Gambhir said. “I just wanted to have it so that I don’t miss out on any job opportunities.”
Although Gambhir said he did not experience issues getting the permit, other students, such as Harika Kotha, said she didn’t obtain a permit until now to avoid the “hassle.”
A third-year communications major at Carleton from India, Kotha said she is “very excited” about the upcoming changes.
She said she heard about the new permit regulations a few months ago and is planning on getting a job for the summer.
“It is very beneficial and a money saver. I haven’t worked yet but I will be after June 1,” Kotha said. “I was waiting for this.”
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