From September 4, 2026, until December 31, 2027, a person with a valid work permit can take a course of six months or less without a separate study permit. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada issued the rule as a temporary public policy. The broader plan for people already working here is in temporary workers already in Canada.
What the exemption covers
The old barrier was a second application. Under the policy, enrolment is allowed only if the program is six months or shorter. The department has pointed to health care and other essential jobs as the reason, but the text is tied to the work permit, not to a named occupation. A refusal of an employer-specific permit is a different problem, covered in procedural fairness letters.
Who does not qualify
The permission lasts only as long as the work permit. If the permit expires, the study permission ends the same day. A person whose permit has already expired does not get the exemption, even if an extension is in process. Maintained status on a pending extension is not treated as a valid permit for this policy. The wait for that extension is estimated in personalized processing times.
- A valid work permit is required on the day classes start.
- The program must be six months or less.
- Study permission ends when the work permit ends.
- Legal status has to be maintained for the whole course.
- An expired permit with an extension pending does not qualify.
How long it lasts
The policy is scheduled to end on December 31, 2027. A program longer than six months still needs a study permit. Workers should confirm the current instructions on the IRCC site before they enrol, because a temporary public policy can be narrowed before that end date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the course be longer than six months?
No. Anything longer needs a study permit.
What if my work permit expires during the course?
The permission to study ends the same day. It is tied to the work permit.
Does a pending extension count?
No. If the work permit has already expired, this policy does not apply, even if an extension is in process.
