India, April 30 -- Canada is planning to cap the number of hours an international student can work off campus to 24 per week, beginning with the fall semester in September.

This announcement was made by Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marc Miller in Ottawa on Monday, as the temporary policy to allow international students to work over 20 hours each week expires on Tuesday.

"Students who come to Canada must be here to study. As such, allowing students to work up to 24 hours per week will ensure they focus primarily on their studies, while having the option to work, if necessary," a release from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said.

The reduction is substantial as the previous policy, introduced duri...