How to Study in Canada on a Work Permit (No Study Permit Required)

Canada Just Made It Easier to Study on a Work Permit

If you’re on a Canadian work permit and want to upgrade your skills, Canada just opened a new door. As of September 4, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) now allows work permit holders to enroll in education programs without applying for a separate study permit—as long as the program runs for six months or less.

This temporary policy removes a significant hurdle that used to block international workers from furthering their education while maintaining their work authorization. For many temporary residents, pursuing formal education in Canada meant either leaving their job to apply for a study permit or waiting for a lengthy application process. Now, you can often start studying immediately.

But there are rules you need to understand before you enroll. Let me walk you through exactly how this works.

Who Can Study Without a Study Permit?

To take advantage of this new policy, you need to meet two core conditions:

1. You must hold a valid work permit. This is the foundation. Your work authorization must be active and in good standing. If your work permit is about to expire, you’ll want to renew it before or during your studies, depending on your program timeline.

2. Your program must be six months or less in duration. The policy is designed for short-term skill development—certificates, diploma programs, professional courses, and diplomas that fit within this timeframe. If your program runs longer than six months, you’ll still need to apply for a study permit through the regular process.

When you study under this policy, your authorization to study lasts until either the program ends or your work permit expires, whichever comes first. So if your work permit expires before the program finishes, your ability to study stops when your work authorization ends—even if you’re partway through.

What Doesn’t Count: The Work Experience Limitation

Here’s the most important caveat: any work experience you gain while studying full-time won’t count toward Canada’s permanent residence pathways.

Specifically, work experience gained during your full-time studies cannot be counted toward:

• The Canadian Experience Class (one of the primary Express Entry pathways)
• Your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points under Express Entry

This is a critical limitation for anyone considering permanent residence as a next step. If you’re currently building Canadian work experience to strengthen an Express Entry application, enrolling full-time in a program will pause that progress. The good news: any work experience you gained before you started studying still counts. And if you continue working part-time while studying, those hours may still count depending on your employment situation and IRCC’s assessment of your workload.

That said, if your goal is to improve job prospects or earn credentials that will help you qualify for better-paying positions after graduation, this policy is incredibly valuable. You’re trading temporary CRS points for long-term career advancement—which is often the smarter trade.

What About Employers and Working While You Study?

Your work permit conditions remain in effect while you study, except for restrictions “related to studying.” This means:

• If your permit restricts you to a specific employer, you’re still bound by that restriction
• If your permit limits hours per week, that restriction still applies
• You remain subject to all other conditions on your work authorization

If you want to change your work arrangements—reduce hours to accommodate a part-time program, work from home, or change employers—you’ll need to communicate with your current employer or apply for a new work permit, depending on the change. IRCC doesn’t automatically modify your work permit just because you’re studying.

One note on co-op placements: if your program includes a co-op or internship placement with a different employer or occupation than your current work permit authorizes, you may need to obtain employer-specific work permit support for that placement. Check with your school’s international student advisor or an immigration lawyer before starting a program that includes work placements outside your current authorization.

How Long Is This Policy in Effect?

This is a temporary public policy running until December 31, 2027. That gives you roughly 15 months from now to take advantage of it—though IRCC could extend or modify the policy. If this opportunity is on your radar, now is the time to explore eligible programs. Once the policy expires, IRCC could revert to requiring study permits for all education, and the application timeline adds weeks or months.

What Programs Are Eligible?

IRCC hasn’t released a specific list of “approved programs.” The policy applies to any education program—certificate, diploma, degree, professional certification—as long as it’s six months or less. That means:

• Professional certificates (project management, digital marketing, cloud computing, etc.)
• Diploma programs at colleges
• Language programs
• Trades certifications and apprenticeships (where the classroom portion is under six months)
• Specialized courses at universities

The program must be offered by a legitimate educational institution (schools, colleges, universities, accredited training providers). You can’t study on your own or pursue unstructured learning.

Three Action Steps to Get Started

Step 1: Check your work permit expiration date. Before enrolling, verify that your work permit will still be valid for the entire duration of your program. If it expires during your studies, arrange to renew it first or have a renewal application in progress before the program starts.

Step 2: Choose a six-month-or-less program. Research education programs in your field of interest that fit the timeframe. Most college diplomas and certificates qualify. If you’re interested in a degree program, check whether any institutions offer accelerated versions or whether you could start with a certificate and continue later on a study permit if desired.

Step 3: Notify your employer and IRCC (if required). Inform your employer about your plan to study. Your work permit conditions don’t change, but your employer should know your schedule may shift. You don’t need to apply to IRCC or notify them in advance—the policy covers you automatically if you meet the conditions. However, keep records of your program enrollment and your work permit as proof if you’re ever asked.

Is This the Right Move for You?

This policy is a genuine opportunity if you’re looking to upgrade your credentials while keeping your work authorization intact. The six-month limitation isn’t a barrier for many workers seeking professional development—most certificates and short diplomas fit comfortably within that window.

The trade-off to weigh is the work experience limitation. If you’re currently working toward Express Entry eligibility and Canadian experience is your primary goal, enrolling full-time might set you back. But if you’re aiming for career growth, better income prospects, or credentials that make you more competitive long-term, the investment in education often pays dividends.

The clock is ticking—this policy expires December 31, 2027. If you’ve been thinking about a skills upgrade, this window makes the path significantly simpler and faster.

If you’d like to discuss whether this policy fits your situation or need guidance on planning a study program alongside your work permit, reach out. Email us at hello@bisonimmigration.com to get started or ask a question.