I’ve been studying in Ontario for 10 months and working part-time at a café near campus. My study permit says I can work up to 20 hours a week during the academic term, but I’ve had a few weeks where I worked 24–26 hours due to extra shifts. I know it’s technically over the limit, but I’ve never been asked about it by an officer, and my income helps cover rent and groceries.

Still, I’m worried. I’ve heard stories of people getting flagged during visa renewals or PR applications because of past work hour overages. I’m not trying to break the rules—just trying to survive. But now I’m second-guessing every pay stub.

I’ve kept records of my hours and pay, but I’m not sure how strict IRCC is when reviewing past compliance. I’m also unsure how different provinces handle this—does BC or Alberta enforce it more strictly than Ontario?

Here are my real questions:

1. If I worked 24 hours one week and 22 the next, does that count as repeated overage, or is it seen as occasional?

2. Can a single week of overwork affect my future PR application, even if I’ve been compliant since?

3. What happens if I’m asked to prove my work hours during a permit renewal? Do they check pay stubs, or just self-reported logs?

4. Are there any red flags IRCC might notice even if I’m not caught during a check?

I’m not looking for legal advice—just real experiences from others who’ve been in my shoes. If you’ve had similar situations, what did you do? Did you get questioned later?

If you’re comfortable sharing: what province are you in, your study level (e.g., undergrad, grad), and how long you’ve been working? Let’s compare notes. Just keep personal details like passport numbers, UCI, or bank info out of the thread—this is about learning, not sharing risks.