Canada expands study-without-a-permit options for foreign workers under a new temporary public policy.
Under a new Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) public policy, certain foreign nationals holding valid Canadian work permits can now study for up to six months without obtaining a study permit. The measure came into effect on September 4, 2026, and is currently scheduled to remain in place until December 31, 2027.
The change could benefit temporary foreign workers who want to improve their skills, complete short-term training, obtain professional qualifications or pursue education while maintaining their employment in Canada.
What Is the New Canada Study Without a Permit Policy?
Normally, foreign nationals who want to study in Canada must obtain a study permit unless they fall under one of the existing exemptions.
Canada has now introduced a temporary public policy specifically for eligible foreign workers. Under this measure, a person with a valid work permit may study in a program lasting six months or less without applying for a separate study permit.
One important change is that the worker may be able to complete the short-term program even when the program extends beyond the period of stay that was originally authorized when they first entered Canada.
The authorization continues only until the earlier of:
- The expiry of the person’s work permit; or
- The expiry or revocation of the temporary public policy.
This means having a work permit does not automatically provide unlimited authorization to study. The six-month program limit and the validity of the work permit remain important requirements.
Who Can Study in Canada Without a Study Permit?
Under the new temporary policy, a foreign worker may qualify if:
- They hold a valid Canadian work permit; and
- Their program of study is six months or less.
If eligible, the individual can study for up to six months or until their work permit expires, whichever comes first.
This can be particularly useful for workers who want to take short-term courses while continuing their careers in Canada.
For example, a foreign worker could potentially use this measure to pursue short-term professional training, skills development or licensing-related education without first applying for a study permit.
Why Did Canada Introduce This Temporary Measure?
According to the federal government, the measure is intended to help temporary workers already in Canada develop skills that are needed in the Canadian labour market.
IRCC specifically highlighted workers such as tradespeople, nurses and laboratory technicians, who may benefit from additional short-term education or training while continuing to work.
The government says the measure is designed to help address labour shortages and support areas such as public services, home building and other projects important to Canada’s economy.
Rather than creating a new immigration pathway, the policy provides additional flexibility to eligible temporary residents who are already authorized to work in Canada.
What Types of Studies Can Workers Take?
The temporary measure applies to programs that are six months or less.
Potential examples may include short-term:
- Professional training
- Skills-development programs
- Licensing-related courses
- Certificate programs
- Occupational training
- Other eligible educational programs lasting no more than six months
However, workers should carefully confirm with the educational institution that the specific program qualifies under the policy before registering.
The fact that a program lasts six months or less does not necessarily mean every situation is identical. Other immigration, employment or provincial requirements may apply depending on the program and occupation.
What If the Program Is Longer Than Six Months?
If a foreign worker wants to study in a program that lasts more than six months, the temporary exemption does not apply.
In general, a study permit is required for studies lasting longer than six months.
Therefore, workers considering a longer educational program should review their immigration status and study permit requirements before beginning their studies. IRCC continues to distinguish between short-term study authorized under an exemption and longer-term study requiring a study permit.
Important: Full-Time Study Can Affect Canadian Work Experience
Foreign workers should also be careful about how studying may affect their immigration plans.
IRCC states that if a worker studies full-time under this temporary public policy, work experience gained during those studies will not count toward eligibility for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or toward Canadian work experience points under the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
This is particularly important for temporary foreign workers who are planning to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry.
For example, someone working in Canada may be trying to accumulate qualifying Canadian work experience for a future CEC application. Before changing their work or study arrangements, they should understand how their study status could affect their immigration strategy.
What About Co-op Programs?
There are additional considerations for workers who want to complete a co-op work placement as part of their studies.
IRCC states that some workers may need a new employer-specific work permit before starting a co-op placement if the co-op employer or occupation is different from their current employer or occupation.
Open work permit holders generally do not need to apply for a new work permit for the co-op placement under these circumstances.
Because co-op arrangements can involve additional work authorization requirements, foreign workers should verify their situation before beginning a placement.
What About Workers in Quebec?
The new measure also applies to eligible workers in Quebec.
IRCC states that, under the temporary policy, eligible workers can study in Quebec for up to six months without a study permit. In addition, eligible workers do not need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) for these studies under the corresponding temporary exemption.
Both the federal temporary public policy and the temporary CAQ exemption took effect on September 4, 2026.
How Can Workers Prove They Are Eligible?
An educational institution may ask a foreign worker to demonstrate that they are authorized to study without a study permit.
According to IRCC, the worker can provide their valid work permit as evidence of eligibility under the temporary policy.
Workers should keep their immigration documents up to date and make sure they understand the expiry date of their work permit.
This Is Not a New Immigration Pathway
It is important to understand that this measure does not create a new pathway to come to Canada as a worker or student.
The federal government specifically describes the measure as a temporary flexibility for eligible temporary workers who are already in Canada.
The government also continues to pursue policies aimed at reducing the temporary population to less than five percent of Canada’s total population by the end of 2027.
Therefore, prospective immigrants should not interpret this policy as a new way to obtain a Canadian work permit or enter Canada.
How Long Will the Policy Last?
The temporary public policy came into effect on September 4, 2026, and is scheduled to remain effective until December 31, 2027. However, IRCC notes that temporary public policies can be revoked at any time without prior notice.
Foreign workers should therefore check the latest IRCC information before relying on the exemption.
What This Means for Temporary Foreign Workers
The new policy provides an important opportunity for eligible foreign workers in Canada.
A worker who already holds a valid work permit may now be able to pursue short-term education or professional training without going through the separate study permit application process.
For workers in industries where additional training, certifications or licensing can improve employment opportunities, this flexibility could make it easier to develop new skills while remaining in Canada’s workforce.
However, immigration status can become complicated when work, study and permanent residence plans overlap. Workers should consider how their education plans could affect their work authorization, Canadian work experience and future immigration applications.
Need Help Understanding Your Options?
If you are a temporary foreign worker in Canada and are considering studying, changing your work situation or planning for permanent residence, it is important to understand how the different immigration rules apply to your individual circumstances.
Transway Global Immigration can help you review your work permit, study options and potential pathways toward permanent residence in Canada.
For the latest information, always check the official IRCC requirements before starting a program or making changes to your immigration status.
Official IRCC sources:
IRCC: Public policy allowing some work permit holders to study without a study permit
IRCC: Government announcement on temporary workers studying without a permit
