Employers Beware – Off-campus Work Hours Change For International Students On May 1, 2024

As of May 1, 2024, the temporary policy that allowed international students to work full-time off-campus will end. This policy initially began as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic and enabled certain international students to work off-campus full-time, beyond the standard cap of 20 hours per week.

As the policy was not extended, employers should be aware that, as of May 1, 2024, international student employees may only be eligible to work a maximum of 20 hours per week when their study program is in session, unless they hold an alternative work authorization. Students will still be permitted to work full-time during regularly-scheduled study program breaks, provided they are returning to full-time studies following the break. Any other full-time work would require alternative authorization.