Canada Introduces Temporary Policy Allowing Work Permit Holders to Study Without a Study Permit

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a temporary public policy allowing eligible foreign workers already in Canada to study for up to 6 months without needing a separate study permit. The underlying policy took effect on September 4, 2026, and IRCC published a formal notice about it on September 9, 2026. The measure is time-limited and will remain in effect until December 31, 2027.

According to IRCC, the policy is intended to drive economic growth, address labour gaps in key sectors, and help eligible temporary workers already in Canada maximize their contributions, including tradespeople, nurses, and laboratory technicians, by allowing them to develop in-demand skills while continuing to work. IRCC has stated that this added flexibility is intended to help temporary workers better support public services, home building, and nation-building projects.

IRCC has also stated that it began notifying eligible work permit holders directly, starting the week of September 9, 2026, that they can study without applying for a study permit under this measure.

Who Is Eligible

To study without a study permit under this policy, a person must meet both of the following conditions:

• hold a valid work permit

• be enrolled in a program of study that is not longer than 6 months

Where a work permit is valid, the holder is authorized to study without a study permit for up to 6 months, or until their work permit expires, whichever comes first.

Duration of Authorization

The authorization to study without a study permit lasts for a maximum of 6 months. If a person's work permit expires before the 6-month period is complete, their authorization to study under this policy ends when the work permit expires, not at the full 6-month mark.

Work Permit Conditions Under This Policy

Work permit holders are normally required to meet all conditions attached to their work permit. Under this temporary measure, individuals studying without a study permit are not required to meet any conditions on their work permit that relate to studying.

IRCC has noted that it remains the worker's own responsibility to reach an agreement with their employer if they need to change any conditions of their employment contract in order to study — for example, working fewer hours than stated in their existing employment contract.

Proving Eligibility to a Learning Institution

A learning institution may ask a prospective student to demonstrate that they are eligible to study without a study permit. Where this is requested, the worker must provide their valid work permit as proof.

Quebec-Specific Provisions

Workers in Quebec are eligible to study in Quebec without a study permit under this temporary public policy, also effective September 4, 2026. Where a worker meets the eligibility criteria under this policy, they do not need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (Certificat d'acceptation du Québec, or CAQ) that would otherwise be issued by the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration (MIFI).

Both the temporary CAQ exemption for studies and IRCC's temporary public policy took effect on the same date, September 4, 2026. Workers studying in Quebec can refer to the MIFI website for further information on studying in Quebec.

Co-op Work Placements

A worker who also wants to begin a co-op work placement while studying without a study permit may need to apply for a new employer-specific work permit before the co-op placement starts.

A new work permit is only required if the co-op employer or occupation differs from the worker's current employer or occupation. In that case, the conditions on the new work permit must match the new co-op employer or occupation, and the worker will hold two valid work permits at the same time: the original work permit used to qualify under this policy, and a second work permit authorizing the co-op placement.

Open work permit holders do not need to apply for a new work permit to begin a co-op placement.

Full-Time Study Considerations

IRCC's notice states that full-time studies will still require a study permit. Separately, the detailed policy page addresses a scenario in which a worker studies full-time under this temporary public policy: it specifies that any work experience gained during that period of full-time study will not count toward eligibility for the Canadian Experience Class, or toward Canadian work experience points under Express Entry's Comprehensive Ranking System.

Given these two references to full-time study, workers considering a full-time program while on a work permit should confirm the specific requirements that apply to their situation, either with IRCC directly or with their learning institution, before proceeding.

What This Policy Does Not Do

IRCC has been explicit that this measure is not a new pathway for workers to come to Canada. It applies only to foreign workers who already hold a valid Canadian work permit, and it does not create any new route to enter Canada or to gain permanent residence.

IRCC has also reiterated, in connection with this announcement, that the Government of Canada remains committed to reducing the temporary resident population to less than 5 percent of Canada's total population by the end of 2027. IRCC has framed this study policy as part of a broader, balanced approach to immigration intended to strengthen the economy, meet workforce needs, and align arrivals with community capacity.

Summary of Key Dates

• September 4, 2026: The temporary public policy, and the related Quebec CAQ exemption, took effect.

• September 9, 2026: IRCC published its formal notice on the measure and began notifying eligible work permit holders.

• December 31, 2027: The temporary policy is scheduled to end.

Where to Find More Information

Full eligibility criteria and conditions are set out on IRCC's dedicated policy page, "Public policy allowing some work permit holders to study without a study permit," which should be treated as the authoritative reference for anyone assessing their own eligibility under this measure.