Canada Study Without Approved Permit: Eligible Individuals and Regulations
Study Permit Exemption for Work Permit Holders in Canada
Effective June 7, 2023, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a temporary policy that allows foreign nationals with valid work permits to study in Canadian institutions without obtaining a separate study permit.
This policy applies to individuals who possess a valid work permit and have applied for the work permit before the specified date. Work permit holders can take advantage of this opportunity to pursue their education while maintaining their work authorization.
To be eligible for this policy, applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Hold a valid work permit.
- Have submitted their work permit application by June 7, 2023, with the IRCC receiving the application by the stipulated date.
- If the application for a renewal of the work permit was submitted on or before June 7, 2023, and work authorization has been granted while the extension is processing, the individual is eligible.
- Applicants who submitted work permit applications after June 7, 2023, are not eligible for this policy.
- Those who applied to extend their work permit before their current permit expired may continue working under maintained status but do not qualify for the study permit exemption.
Individuals who qualify for this policy can study without a study permit for the duration of their valid work permit. They may also continue their studies while their extension applications are being processed, provided their applications were submitted by the qualifying date and have not been rejected. The exemption will expire no later than June 27, 2026.
Eligible work permit holders should inform their designated learning institution (DLI) of their permit exemption status by presenting one of the following documents:
- A valid work permit.
- An Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) from the IRCC, received after applying for a work permit extension online.
- A work authorization letter issued after applying for the study permit exemption.
- An email from the IRCC confirming eligibility under the public policy for study permit exemption.
The allure of studying in Canada lies mostly in the advantages it offers:
- A Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) becomes available to students following their course completion. This permit allows them to work in Canada for two to three years, potentially improving their chances of obtaining Permanent Residency (PR) via the Express Entry system.
The temporary study permit exemption for work permit holders in Canada has been put in place to facilitate education opportunities, providing an avenue for work permit holders to further their knowledge while maintaining their legal status in the country. Work permit holders interested in taking advantage of this policy should ensure they meet the eligibility criteria and consult official IRCC resources for any updates or specific requirements.
Work permit holders in Canada can utilize this opportunity to pursue their education-and-self-development and learning, as they are now able to study in Canadian institutions without obtaining a separate study permit. Eligible work permit holders are exempted from needing a study permit for the duration of their valid work permit and can continue their studies while their extension applications are being processed, as long as they meet the specified conditions.
