A new temporary IRCC policy gives some foreign workers in Canada more flexibility to study while they continue working. As of September 4, 2026, eligible work permit holders can study without a study permit when their program is six months or less.
The change is important for workers who want to develop new skills without moving immediately into the international student system. However, work permit holders study without a study permit only when they meet the specific conditions of the temporary policy.
This is not a new permanent residence pathway. It is a temporary measure that changes when an eligible worker may study without obtaining a separate study permit.
Who Can Study Without a Study Permit?
Under the temporary public policy, an eligible foreign worker can study without a study permit if:
- They hold a valid work permit
- Their study program is six months or less
- Their work permit remains valid for the relevant period
The authorization lasts for six months or until the work permit expires, whichever comes first.
This means the policy does not give a worker an open-ended right to study without a study permit.
The validity of the work permit remains central to the exemption.
What Happens If Your Work Permit Expires?
This is one of the most important details in the new policy.
A person cannot continue relying on this study exemption after their work permit expires.
IRCC specifically states that the exemption does not continue simply because the worker has applied for:
- A work permit extension
- A new work permit
- A study permit
- An extension of their stay as a visitor
Source: New IRCC Rules Allowing some work permit holders to study without a study permit
In other words, an application that is still being processed does not by itself replace the requirement to hold a valid work permit for this particular policy.
Workers should therefore check the expiry date of their work permit before starting a program.
What About Workers in Quebec?
The policy also applies to eligible workers in Quebec.
As of September 4, 2026, eligible workers in Quebec can study without a study permit under the temporary public policy.
IRCC also states that workers who qualify under this policy do not need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate, or CAQ, for these studies.
This is a useful distinction because Quebec has its own immigration and study-related requirements.
However, applicants should still confirm that their specific situation falls within the temporary policy before enrolling.
Can Work Permit Holders Study Full-Time?
The policy permits eligible workers to study without a study permit for a program of six months or less.
But there is an important immigration consequence for people who study full-time.
IRCC states that work experience gained while studying full-time under this temporary public policy will not count toward eligibility for the Canadian Experience Class and will not count as Canadian work experience points under the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System.
This is an important point for workers who are planning their permanent residence strategy.
A person should not assume that continuing to work while studying full-time will automatically allow that work experience to strengthen their Express Entry profile.
What About Co-op Placements?
The rules become more specific if the course includes a co-op work placement.
If a worker studying under this temporary policy wants to start a co-op placement, they may need a new employer-specific work permit.
This applies when the co-op employer or occupation is different from the worker’s current employer or occupation.
Open Work Permit holders do not need to apply for a new work permit for this purpose, according to IRCC.
This means workers should not assume that permission to study automatically gives them permission to work in a new co-op position.
The study authorization and work authorization are separate issues.
What This Policy Does Not Mean
There are several misconceptions that applicants should avoid.
It Does Not Create a New Immigration Pathway
The policy is designed to provide temporary flexibility to eligible foreign workers already in Canada.
It does not create a new Express Entry stream, Provincial Nominee Program or permanent residence category.
It Does Not Allow Unlimited Study
The exemption applies to programs of six months or less and depends on the worker maintaining a valid work permit.
It Does Not Replace All Study Permit Requirements
A longer program generally requires a study permit.
Workers considering a longer academic or vocational program should examine the applicable study permit rules rather than assuming this temporary policy applies.
It Does Not Automatically Improve an Express Entry Profile
Full-time study under the policy does not make the associated work experience count toward Canadian Experience Class eligibility or Canadian work experience CRS points.
Why This Matters for Temporary Foreign Workers
For some workers, a short course can be a practical way to improve skills while remaining employed.
For example, a worker may want to complete short-term training that supports their current occupation or helps them develop additional skills.
But the immigration implications should be considered before enrolling.
The right question is not simply:
“Can I study without a study permit?”
It is:
“Can I study under this policy without affecting the immigration strategy I am building?”
That distinction can be important for workers who are planning Express Entry, a provincial nomination or another immigration pathway.
A Practical Checklist Before You Enrol
If you are a work permit holder considering studies, check:
- Is your work permit currently valid?
- Is the program six months or less?
- Will your work permit remain valid while you study?
- Is the institution asking you to provide proof of authorization?
- Are you studying full-time?
- Will your studies include a co-op placement?
- Could the co-op employer or occupation differ from your current one?
- Are you relying on the work experience for Express Entry?
- Are you considering a longer program that may require a study permit?
- If you are in Quebec, have you confirmed that you qualify for the temporary CAQ exemption?
Keeping these questions separate can prevent a short-term study decision from creating confusion in a longer-term immigration plan.
What This Means for Your Immigration Plan
The new policy gives eligible workers useful flexibility, but immigration planning should go beyond the question of whether a study permit is required.
Through ImmigCanada, we provide Canadian immigration consultation for work permits, study permits, Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, Post-Graduation Work Permits and other Canadian immigration pathways.
If you are a work permit holder considering a course or training program, check the current IRCC requirements first and determine whether the temporary policy actually applies to your circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some eligible work permit holders can study without a study permit under the temporary IRCC policy if their program is six months or less and they hold a valid work permit.
The study program must be six months or less. Authorization also ends when the person’s work permit expires, whichever occurs first.
Not under this temporary policy. IRCC states that you must have a valid work permit and cannot rely on an extension application that is still being processed.
Eligible workers in Quebec do not need a CAQ for studies covered by this temporary public policy.
You may be able to, but additional work authorization may be required depending on the co-op employer and occupation. Open work permit holders do not need a new work permit for this purpose.
IRCC states that work experience gained while studying full-time under this policy does not count toward Canadian Experience Class eligibility.
No. IRCC states that this work experience does not count as Canadian work experience for Express Entry CRS points.
No. It is a temporary public policy providing study flexibility to certain existing foreign workers. It does not create a new permanent residence pathway.