Can Work Permit Holders Study in Canada Without a Study Permit?
A temporary IRCC public policy lets some work permit holders take short programs without a study permit. The conditions, what it does not allow, and what changes when the work permit ends.
The current policy
IRCC has a temporary public policy, in effect from September 4, 2026, that allows some work permit holders to study without a study permit. IRCC’s page describing it was last updated in October 2026 and calls the measure temporary. IRCC’s announcement says it is in effect until December 31, 2027, so check it before you enrol.
The idea is to avoid forcing a worker to apply for a second permit simply to take a short course. But the policy is narrow, and the narrow parts are where people get into trouble.
A scenario worth walking through
A hypothetical worker on an employer-specific permit wants to take a four-month evening program. Her permit is valid for another year, so the program fits within the 6-month limit and falls entirely within her permit’s validity. She checks IRCC’s page and confirms she can study without a separate permit.
A colleague wants to take a nine-month program and has a permit expiring in five months. Neither condition is met, so he looks at a study permit instead. The difference is not about effort. It is whether the program length and the permit dates line up with the policy.
What the policy requires
- You must hold a valid work permit.
- Your study program must be 6 months or less in length.
- You can study for 6 months or less, or until your work permit expires, whichever comes first.
- You cannot study under the policy once your work permit has expired. If your permit has four months left, the policy covers those four months. (IRCC’s page also says you cannot study under the policy if your permit will expire while you are studying, so confirm how this applies if your permit ends partway through a program.)
- IRCC states you can study full-time or part-time under this policy.
- Workers in Quebec who meet the criteria do not need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ).
What it does not give you
For full-time study under the policy, IRCC says work experience you gain during your studies will not count toward Canadian Experience Class eligibility or toward Canadian work experience points under the Comprehensive Ranking System. That matters if you are building a permanent residence plan on the work you are doing.
Co-op placements are handled separately. IRCC says you may need a new employer-specific work permit before a co-op placement starts, but only if the co-op employer or occupation differs from your current one. Open work permit holders do not need a new permit.
Why a study permit may still be the safer option
A study permit is tied to a longer program and can stay valid independently of your job. Under this policy, your ability to study ends with your work permit, so a job loss or a non-renewal ends both at once.
A post-graduation work permit also depends on completing a program at an eligible institution, which is a separate path from a short course taken under this policy. If your plan is study followed by a post-graduation work permit, plan for a study permit.
A practical way to decide
- Is the program 6 months or less?
- Will my work permit stay valid for the whole period of study?
- Does the work I am doing now matter for my permanent residence plan, given that work during full-time studies under the policy will not count?
- Do I need a co-op placement with a different employer or occupation?
Questions to bring to your assessment
- Is my program 6 months or less, and will my work permit stay valid for all of it?
- Does the work I do while studying full-time matter for my permanent residence plan?
- Do I need a co-op placement, and if so, does the employer or occupation differ from my current one?
- Would a study permit protect my plans better than relying on a temporary policy?
- What happens to my studies if my employer does not renew my permit?
Quick answers
- Can I study full-time on a work permit? Under IRCC’s temporary public policy in effect from September 4, 2026, you can study full-time or part-time, but only in a program of 6 months or less and only while your work permit stays valid for the whole period of study.
- What about co-op placements? IRCC says you may need a new employer-specific work permit before a co-op placement, but only if the co-op employer or occupation differs from your current one. Open work permit holders do not need a new permit.
- Does work during my studies count toward permanent residence? For full-time study under the policy, IRCC says work experience gained during your studies does not count toward Canadian Experience Class eligibility or toward Canadian work experience points under the CRS.
Before you decide
The rules here have shifted recently, and a wrong assumption can cost you your status. Check your own situation in a free assessment before you enrol, because the answer depends on your permit and the program.
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