Public policy allowing some work permit holders to study without a study permit
As of June 27, 2023, a temporary public policy allows eligible foreign workers to study without a study permit.
On this page
- Who is eligible
- How long you can study
- How to prove you’re eligible
- Work permit conditions
- Your employment contract
- Applying for permanent residence
Who is eligible
You may be eligible to study without a study permit while you work. To be eligible, you must be authorized to work in Canada with either of the following:
- a valid work permit that you applied for on or before June 7, 2023, or
- a letter authorizing you to work while we process your work permit extension application that was submitted on or before June 7, 2023
If you applied for a work permit after June 7, 2023, you’re not eligible for these measures.
In some situations, there may be more information you need to know about studying without a study permit.
If you’re a worker in Quebec
Workers in Quebec are eligible to study in Quebec without a study permit under this temporary public policy as of June 27, 2023.
You don’t need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) issued by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) to study if you meet the eligibility criteria under this study permit exemption measure.
The temporary CAQ exemption for studies came into effect on June 27, 2023, at the same time as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s temporary public policy.
Visit the MIFI website for more information about studying in Quebec.
If you have another type of work permit
If you’re studying without a study permit and you want to start a co-op work placement, you may need to apply for a new employer-specific work permit before your co-op placement starts.
Open work permit holders don’t need to apply for a new work permit.
Employer-specific work permit holders
You only need a new work permit if your co-op employer or occupation is different from your current employer or occupation. The conditions on your new work permit must match your new co-op employer or occupation. In this case, you’ll hold 2 valid work permits at the same time:
- your original work permit, which authorizes you to study under this measure
- a second work permit authorizing you to complete your co-op placement
Other documents you may need to be eligible
Letter of explanation
You should submit a letter of explanation if you need to change your working arrangements with your current employer when you start your co-op placement. This letter must include the following information:
- You’re studying under the temporary public policy that allows you to study without a study permit.
- You’ve made arrangements with your current employer during the co-op placement.
- For example, the letter could talk about how
- your co-op hours will be completed part-time while you work for your current employer full-time/part-time or
- you’ll be taking leave from your current employer to complete the co-op placement
- For example, the letter could talk about how
Submit your letter of explanation in the online account. If you can’t submit the letter in your account, you can submit it using our web form.
Medical exams
Some jobs require you to get a medical exam. If your co-op placement is one of them, you must get one.
If you have a study permit
If you have a study permit and a valid co-op work permit, you’re eligible for additional study programs under this measure if
- you follow the conditions of your current study permit
- you continue to study in your main study program
- the additional study program doesn’t exceed the length of your existing co-op work permit
Note: You must maintain your study permit to complete your current study program.
How long you can study
The length of time you can study depends on whether you applied for a work permit or work permit extension on or before June 7, 2023.
If you have a valid work permit and applied on or before June 7, 2023
If you’re eligible and you currently hold a valid work permit, you can study without a study permit until the earliest of the following dates:
- the expiry date on your work permit
- the date this public policy expires (June 27, 2026, or earlier if revoked)
If you have a work permit application in progress and you applied on or before June 7, 2023
If you’re eligible and you had an application in progress on or before June 7, 2023, you can study without a study permit until the earliest of the following 3 dates:
- the expiry date on your approved work permit or work permit extension
- the date we refuse your work permit or work permit extension application
- the date this public policy expires (June 27, 2026, or earlier if revoked)
When to apply for a study permit
Even if you’re eligible to study without a study permit, there are some situations in which it may be useful to hold a study permit. You should apply for a study permit if
- you want to register for a course, degree or program that extends beyond the above dates or
- your work permit extension application is refused
How to prove you’re eligible to study without a study permit
The learning institution where you plan to study may ask you to prove you’re eligible to study without a study permit.
If they request this proof, you must provide 1 of these documents:
- your valid work permit
- your acknowledgement of receipt (AOR)
- the work authorization letter we issued when you applied for your work permit extension
If we sent you an email that says you qualify under this public policy
You can bring a copy of this email with you when you register with the learning institution.
The email has your unique client identifier and is tied to your work authorization. The learning institution can use this as proof that you’re eligible to study without a study permit.
Work permit conditions
Normally, you must meet the conditions of your work permit. Under this temporary measure, you don’t have to meet any conditions on your work permit that are related to studying.
Your employment contract
It’s your responsibility to come to an agreement with your employer if you want to change any of the conditions of your employment contract. We’re not responsible for checking that you follow your employment contract.
Example: To study, you may need to work fewer hours than the number listed on your employment contract.
Applying for permanent residence
If you’re a worker who is studying full time and you want to apply for permanent residence, there are some things to know:
- Your work experience won’t count toward
- eligibility for the Canada experience class
- Canadian work experience points under Express Entry’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)
- Your full-time studies will count toward
- the Federal Skilled Worker Program adaptability points
- You must study at a designated learning institution (DLI).
- Express Entry CRS points
- The DLI must offer programs that allow you to be eligible for a post‑graduation work permit.
- the Federal Skilled Worker Program adaptability points
If you want to apply for a post-graduation work permit
You won’t be eligible for a post-graduation work permit after completing a program under this public policy. You must have a study permit to be eligible.
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