Can You Study Without a Study Permit on a Work Permit?
Updated: Sep 11
Are you a temporary foreign worker in Canada looking to upgrade your skills or take a short academic program? Upskilling just got easier. As of September 4, 2026, a temporary public policy allows eligible foreign workers to study without a study permit for programs lasting 6 months or less.
At Canadore Immigration, we want to ensure you have the latest information to navigate your educational and professional journey in Canada. Here is a complete breakdown of who is eligible, how the policy affects workers in Quebec, and what you need to know about co-op placements and Express Entry points.
The Core Rule: Why This Policy Was Introduced
Under standard Canadian immigration regulations (specifically IRPR R188(1)(c)), foreign nationals are allowed to study without a study permit for courses lasting six months or less, provided the program is completed within the period of stay authorized upon your initial entry into Canada.
The legal catch? Many workers transition through different statuses, such as moving from a study permit to a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), or extending their work permit from inside Canada. If you transitioned or extended your stay from within the country, you were technically no longer in that initial "upon entry" authorization window, meaning standard rules barred you from taking that short course without a formal study permit.
This temporary public policy bridges that gap. It extends the exact same 6-month study authorization to subsequent permit holders, meaning if you are living in Canada on an extended work permit or a PGWP, you are granted the flexibility to upskill without a separate study permit.
Who is Eligible to Study Without a Study Permit?
If you want to take a short course while continuing to work, you may be eligible to study without a study permit for 6 months or less. To qualify under this new public policy, you must meet two main criteria:
You must currently hold a valid work permit.
Your chosen program of study must not be longer than 6 months.
If your work permit is valid, you are legally authorized to study until the 6-month mark of your program or until your work permit expires. whichever comes first.
Critical Limits: Expiry Dates and Maintained Status
It is incredibly important to understand exactly how long this authorization lasts. Your authorization to study under this public policy expires when your work permit expires, or when the temporary public policy officially expires (December 31, 2027), whichever comes first.
While IRCC technically has the ministerial discretion to extend or renew temporary public policies if economic or labor conditions demand it, you should never bank on a renewal. Temporary measures are unpredictable and subject to shifting immigration targets. Always treat hard deadlines as final unless an official extension is published.
The Maintained Status Trap: You are not authorized to study under this measure after your current work permit expires, even if you maintain your status (formerly known as implied status) while waiting for an extension. Once that specific work permit document expires, your right to study without a permit under this policy immediately ends.
What About Workers in Quebec?
Workers residing in Quebec are also eligible to study in the province without a study permit under this temporary measure as of September 4, 2026.
If you meet the eligibility criteria under this public policy, you do not need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) issued by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI). Both the federal temporary public policy and the temporary CAQ exemption for studies came into effect simultaneously on September 4, 2026. (For more details specifically about studying in Quebec, you can visit the official MIFI website).
Understanding Your Work Permit Conditions
Normally, as a temporary worker, you are strictly bound by the conditions listed on your work permit. However, under this temporary measure, you do not have to meet any conditions on your work permit that are related to studying.
Keep in mind that balancing work and school is up to you. It is your responsibility to come to an agreement with your employer if you need to change the conditions of your employment contract—for example, if you need to reduce your working hours to accommodate your class schedule.
Co-op Work Placements: When Do You Need Another Permit?
If your short-term study program includes a co-op work placement, you need to be careful about your authorization. While you are eligible to study without a study permit, you may need to apply for a new employer-specific work permit before your co-op begins.
You will need a new work permit if:
Your co-op employer or occupation is different from your current employer or occupation. The conditions on this new permit must match your new co-op role.
In this scenario, you will hold two valid work permits simultaneously:
Your original work permit (which you used to apply for this temporary public policy).
A second work permit authorizing you to complete your co-op placement.
Note: If you hold an Open Work Permit, you do not need to apply for a new work permit for your co-op placement.
Express Entry: Full-Time vs. Part-Time Studies
Many foreign workers eventually want to transition to permanent residency through Express Entry. It is incredibly important to understand how studying affects your Canadian Experience Class (CEC) eligibility and your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points.
If you study Full-Time:
Any work experience you gain while actively studying full-time will not count toward your CEC eligibility or your Canadian work experience points under the CRS.
If you study Part-Time while working Full-Time:
Here is the good news: if you are taking classes part-time (for example, taking an evening or weekend course) while continuing to work full-time on your valid work permit, your work experience does count. Because you are not classified as a full-time student, the hours you work will continue to accumulate toward your Express Entry profile.
If maximizing your CRS points for permanent residency is your main goal, enrolling as a part-time student is the best way to upgrade your education without pausing your eligible Canadian work experience.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I prove to my school that I am eligible to study without a study permit?
The designated learning institution (DLI) where you plan to take your course may ask for proof of your eligibility. If they request this, simply provide them with a copy of your valid work permit.
Can my program be longer than 6 months?
No. Under this specific September 4, 2026 update, your program of study must not exceed 6 months. If you wish to enroll in a longer program, you must apply for a standard study permit.
Do I need a CAQ to study in Quebec under this policy?
No. If you meet the eligibility criteria for this public policy, you are temporarily exempt from needing a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) from MIFI as of September 4, 2026.
What if I already have an open work permit and my 6-month course requires a co-op?
If you already hold a valid open work permit, you are fully authorized to complete your co-op work placement. You do not need to apply for a secondary employer-specific work permit.
Will my part-time work during full-time studies count for Express Entry?
No. If you are enrolled in full-time studies under this policy, any work experience gained during that period will not count toward your Canadian Experience Class eligibility or your Express Entry CRS points.
Will my full-time work count for Express Entry if I study part-time?
Yes. If you study part-time while working full-time on a valid work permit, your work hours will still count toward your Canadian Experience Class eligibility and your CRS score. Work experience is only disqualified if you are enrolled in full-time studies.
Is there an end date for this temporary public policy?
Yes. The temporary public policy allowing subsequent work permit holders to study without a study permit officially expires on December 31, 2027.
Need Help Navigating Your Status? We’re Here for You!
Balancing work, study, and your long-term permanent residency goals can be complicated—but you don't have to figure it out alone.
Canadore Immigration is proudly based right here in Barrie, Ontario. Whether you are working locally in Simcoe County or anywhere else in Canada, our team is ready to help you optimize your work permit, strategize your Express Entry profile, and ensure your study plans don't jeopardize your immigration goals.
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