…work permit holders can take courses of up to six months without study permit
Canada’s latest policy allows access to study programmes of up to six months for work permit holders to undertake study programmes without obtaining a separate study permit.
The temporary policy, which took effect on September 4, 2026, provides a new pathway for foreign workers in Canada to acquire additional skills and qualifications while retaining their work authorisation.
The move could affect a significant pool of temporary residents, with 1.5 million foreign nationals holding only work permits as of June 30, 2026, according to the latest federal government data.
Under the new policy, a foreign worker with a valid work permit can study without a study permit even where the programme extends beyond the period of stay initially authorised when the worker first entered Canada.
