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.

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Eligibility

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:

If you applied for a work permit after June 7, 2023, you’re not eligible for these measures.

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 your study program has a co-op work placement

Depending on the type of work permit you hold, you may need to apply for a new work permit before your co-op placement starts.

Alternatively, you can apply for a study permit through the standard application process for study programs with co-op work placements.

Open work permit holders

You don’t need a new work permit.

Employer-specific work permit holders

If your co-op employer or occupation is different from your current employer or occupation, you need a new work permit. The conditions on your work permit must match your new employer or your new occupation.

You’ll have 2 valid work permits:

  1. your original work permit, which authorizes you to study under this measure
  2. a second work permit authorizing you to complete your co-op placement

If your co-op employer and occupation are the same as your current employer and occupation, you don’t need a new work permit.

If you’re a study permit holder

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

If you were a valid work permit holder on June 7, 2023

If you’re eligible and you held a valid work permit on June 7, 2023, you can study without a study permit until the earliest of the 2 following dates:

  • the expiry date on your work permit
  • June 27, 2026 (the date this public policy expires)

If you had a work permit application in progress on June 7, 2023

If you’re eligible and you had an application in progress on June 7, 2023, you can study without a study permit until the earliest of the 3 following dates:

  • the expiry date on your approved work permit extension
  • the date we refuse your work permit extension application
  • June 27, 2026 (the date this public policy expires)

You should apply for a study permit

How to prove you’re eligible

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:

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.

Eligibility for permanent residence programs

If you’re a worker who is studying full time, there are some things to know:

If you want to apply for a post-graduation work permit

You won’t be eligible for a post-graduation work permit under this public policy. You must have a study permit to be eligible.

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.

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