Regulation 216 — Study permits — conditions on work
Text of provision
(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), an officer shall issue a study permit to a foreign national if, following an examination, it is established that the foreign national
(a) applied for it in accordance with this Part;
(b) will leave Canada by the end of the period authorized for their stay under Division 2 of Part 9;
(c) meets the requirements of this Part;
(d) meets the requirements of subsections 30(2) and (3), if they must submit to a medical examination under paragraph 16(2)(b) of the Act; and
(e) has been accepted to undertake a course or program of study at a designated learning institution and, in the case of a designated learning institution that is a post-secondary institution, that designated learning institution has provided the confirmation referred to in paragraph 222.1(1)(a) to the Minister in accordance with that paragraph, subject to any extension granted under subsection 222.1(2).
(2) Paragraph (1)(b) does not apply to persons described in section 206 and paragraphs 207(c) and (d).
(3) An officer shall not issue a study permit to a foreign national who intends to study in the Province of Quebec — other than under a federal assistance program for developing countries — and does not hold a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec, if the laws of that Province require that the foreign national hold a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec.
Plain English
Regulation 216 provides that a study permit holder may work off-campus up to 24 hours per week during academic sessions, provided they are enrolled at a DLI in a program that meets the eligibility criteria. During scheduled breaks and vacations, study permit holders may work full-time.
On-campus work is generally unrestricted in terms of hours for study permit holders who are enrolled full-time.
Practical effect
The 24-hour off-campus work limit (increased from 20 hours in late 2024) allows international students to supplement their income during their studies. Exceeding the 24-hour limit violates the study permit conditions and can affect future applications including the PGWP. Some study permit holders have an express condition prohibiting work; those conditions take precedence. Students who work without authorisation may be found inadmissible on the ground that they engaged in unauthorised work.