Canada Lists Penalties for Students Who Exceed Work Hour Limit

• Canada's immigration authority IRCC warned international students that working beyond permitted hours is a direct violation of study permit conditions
• Students who breach their study permit conditions risk removal from Canada, a permanent fraud record, and a 5-year ban from returning
• IRCC also outlined what students need to know about working after graduation, including eligibility for post-graduation work permits

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has warned international students in Canada that exceeding the approved number of working hours is a serious breach of their study permit conditions and can lead to permanent consequences.

The federal immigration authority said students are only permitted to work if their study permit explicitly states that they may do so. For those approved to work off campus, the cap is 24 hours per week while classes are in session.

What Happens If You Work More Than Allowed

IRCC made clear that working beyond permitted hours is not treated as a minor administrative issue. Students who violate their study permit conditions may face removal from Canada, a permanent fraud record with IRCC, and a ban from re-entering the country for five years. Such a violation can also reduce the likelihood of future applications being approved, including those for permanent residence.

Beyond legal consequences, IRCC cautioned that students working without proper authorisation are more vulnerable to unsafe working conditions, wage theft, abuse, threats, and forced or unpaid labour.

"Working more than you are allowed is a violation of your study permit conditions, which can have serious consequences," IRCC said in a post on its official X account.

What Students Need to Know About Working After Graduation

For students who complete their programmes and wish to remain in Canada to work, a separate work permit is required. Some graduates qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), while others may be eligible for different work permit categories.

Students who have applied for a PGWP are allowed to work full-time while awaiting a decision, provided they held a valid study permit when they submitted the application, completed their study programme, and did not exceed their authorised working hours while studying. Students who do not meet all three conditions must wait until their work permit is approved before starting any new job.

IRCC also reminded visitors that holding a valid electronic travel authorisation or visitor visa does not grant the right to work in Canada, and that most visitors are not eligible to apply for a work permit from within the country.

Students with concerns about their permit conditions were advised to review their documents carefully and contact the relevant provincial or territorial employment standards office for guidance on labour rights, which apply to foreign workers regardless of their permit type.

Canada explains how Nigerian students can work legally

In a similar development, Legit.ng reported that Canadian immigration authorities have reminded international students, including Nigerians, that they must meet the conditions of their study permits before taking up employment, warning that unauthorised work could lead to deportation, a five-year re-entry ban and other immigration penalties.

The advisory was issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as part of updated guidance explaining who can legally work in Canada and the consequences of violating immigration rules.