STUDY WITHOUT A STUDY PERMIT
IRCC LETS WORK PERMIT HOLDERS STUDY UP TO SIX MONTHS WITHOUT A STUDY PERMIT
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a temporary public policy allowing eligible foreign nationals who hold a valid work permit to study a course or program of six months or less without needing a separate study permit — including workers whose current permit is a subsequent one obtained through an extension filed from within Canada.
What the Policy Actually Changes
The ability to study for six months or less without a study permit already exists under section 188(1)(c) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, but that provision normally requires the program to be completed within the period of stay originally authorized when the person first entered Canada. That created a gap: workers who extended or renewed their work permit from within Canada, rather than on entry, often fell outside that original authorized period and technically needed a study permit even for a short course.
This new temporary public policy closes that gap. It exempts eligible work permit holders from the "original period of stay" requirement, meaning the exemption now applies based on your current valid work permit — whether it's your first permit or a subsequent one obtained through an extension.
Key dates: The policy was signed on August 5, 2026, took effect on September 4, 2026, and is scheduled to remain in place until December 31, 2027, unless revoked earlier. IRCC began notifying eligible work permit holders directly by email the week of September 4.
Who Qualifies
Eligibility has a simple core test: you must hold a valid work permit. There's no separate application — if your work permit is valid, you're already authorized to study for six months or less, or until your work permit expires, whichever comes first. Workers in Quebec are also covered, and do not need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) for studies falling under this policy.
● Your course or program must be six months or less in duration — a seven-month program falls outside the policy even if your work permit remains valid much longer
● Your authorization to study ends when your work permit expires or the policy is revoked, whichever comes first
● You don't need to apply separately — your valid work permit itself is your proof of eligibility if your institution asks
● If you received a notification email from IRCC, keep it with your immigration records, though not receiving one doesn't necessarily mean you're ineligible
Why IRCC Introduced This
IRCC has said the measure is intended to give temporary foreign workers already in Canada — including tradespeople, nurses, and laboratory technicians — more flexibility to pursue short-term training, obtain new credentials, or work toward professional licensing needed in the Canadian labour market. The department has framed it as support for workers already contributing to sectors facing labour shortages, including healthcare.
An Important Limitation for Express Entry Plans
If you're studying full-time under this policy with an eye toward permanent residence, there's a catch worth knowing before you enrol: work experience you gain while studying full-time under this exemption will not count toward Canadian Experience Class eligibility or toward Canadian work experience points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). This policy lifts the study-related restriction on your permit — it does not change how your work experience is assessed for immigration purposes.
What This Means If You Hold a Work Permit
● Confirm your intended course or program is six months or less — anything longer still requires a full study permit application
● Check that your program will be completed before your current work permit expires
● If you're pursuing this training partly to strengthen a future Express Entry or provincial nomination application, understand that full-time study won't add to your Canadian work experience CRS points during that period
● Keep documentation of your valid work permit accessible, since your institution may ask you to demonstrate your eligibility to study without a permit
Considering Short-Term Training on Your Work Permit?
Do you hold a work permit and want to pursue additional training or a professional credential without derailing your immigration plans? Understanding exactly how this policy interacts with your broader path to permanent residence — including its effect on CRS points — can make the difference between a smart move and an unplanned setback.
At Global Opportunities, we help you understand how a training plan fits into your overall immigration strategy before you enrol. Contact us today to talk through your options.
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, “Public policy allowing some work permit holders to study without a study permit” and the associated temporary public policy notice (canada.ca), verified directly.