Foreign students in Canada will now be permitted to work full time if they are hired in the essential service.
The Government acknowledges that foreign students who are already in Canada have the capacity to help address the challenges posed by COVID-19. As a result, Canada has temporarily abolished a law that prohibits foreign students from working more than 20 hours a week while in school.
Canada’s Immigration minister Mr Marco Mendicino said in a press release that Immigrants, temporary foreign workers and foreign students were making important contributions as frontline workers in health care and other essential service sectors.
The amendment extends to study-permit holders who work in industries that are perceived to be vital to maintaining the health, safety, protection or economic well-being of Canadians and the government.
International students in the following 10 fields are included in Canada's concept of critical infrastructure:
• Energy and utilities
• Information and Communication Technologies
• Finance
• Health
• Food
• Water
• Transportation
• Safety
• Government
• Manufacturing
Employers and foreign students can review a government guide to decide whether the change applies to their line of work. The new measure will be in force until 31 August 2020.
