Canada has introduced a temporary policy that gives eligible work permit holders more flexibility to complete short-term education or training without applying for a study permit.
The policy took effect on September 4, 2026, and is expected to remain in place until December 31, 2027. It may be cancelled earlier without notice.
What Has Actually Changed?
Foreign nationals were already allowed to study without a study permit if their course or program was six months or less. However, there was another important condition: the program had to be completed within the period of stay authorized when the person entered Canada.
The new policy, Temporary Public Policy to Allow Foreign Nationals With Valid Work Permits to Study Without a Study Permit removes that condition for eligible work permit holders.
This means a worker may now take a short course that ends after the period of stay originally granted upon entry, as long as they continue to hold a valid work permit and meet the other requirements.
For example, a worker may have been admitted to Canada for a limited period and later received a new or extended work permit. Under the regular rule, the original period granted upon entry could prevent them from relying on the short-course exemption. The new policy provides more flexibility in that situation.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify under the temporary policy, the foreign national must hold a valid Canadian work permit.
The exemption applies only until the earliest of the following dates:
The expiry date of the worker’s valid work permit
December 31, 2027
The date the federal government revokes the policy
Workers must also continue to meet all other immigration and admissibility requirements
Does the Course Still Have to Be Six Months or Less?
Yes. The new policy does not remove the six-month limit on the course itself. The entire course or program must be six months or less. It does not allow a worker to enrol in a longer program and complete only the first six months without a study permit.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has also stated that full-time studies will continue to require a study permit.
Anyone considering a longer or full-time program should confirm whether they need a study permit before enrolling.
Why Did Canada Introduce This Policy?
The federal government says the measure is intended to help temporary foreign workers improve their skills, obtain professional credentials and complete short-term licensing or training programs.
It may be especially useful for workers in regulated or in-demand occupations, including tradespeople, nurses and laboratory technicians.
A worker may need short-term training to meet Canadian licensing requirements, develop a new workplace skill or qualify for a more senior position. Removing the additional study permit process may make it easier for eligible workers to complete that training while continuing to work.
However, this is not a new immigration pathway. It does not allow someone to come to Canada specifically to study or give a worker the right to remain in Canada after their work permit expires.
How Is This Different From the Previous Temporary Policy?
Canada introduced a separate policy in June 2023 that allowed certain workers to study without a study permit. That policy applied only to people whose work permit or work permit application met specific cut-off dates. It expired on June 27, 2026.
The new policy applies to foreign nationals who currently hold a valid work permit. Unlike the previous measure, it specifically applies to courses or programs with a total duration of six months or less.
Workers who qualified under the previous policy should not assume that they automatically qualify under the new rules.
What Should Workers Check Before Enrolling?
Before beginning a course without a study permit, workers should confirm:
That their work permit is valid
That the complete program is six months or less
That the course will end before their work permit expires
Whether the course is considered full-time
Whether it includes a co-op placement, internship or practical work component
Whether their work permit contains conditions that could affect their studies
Workers should keep copies of their work permit, registration documents and information showing the course’s start date, end date and total duration.
A person who does not meet the policy’s requirements may still need to apply for a study permit.
Planning to Work and Study in Canada?
This change gives some foreign workers more room to pursue short-term training, but it does not create a general right to study without a permit. The type of program, its length and the validity of the person’s work permit all matter.
Before enrolling, it is important to understand whether the exemption applies and how studying could affect your current status or future immigration plans.
Ackah Business Immigration Law can help workers and employers understand how Canadian immigration requirements apply to their employment, education and professional development plans. Contact Ackah Law for guidance based on your specific circumstances.
This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Canadian immigration policies and requirements may change without notice.
