Canada: Study Authorization Extended for Work Permit Holders

Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has temporarily lifted the limit on the length of the study program that certain temporary foreign workers can enroll in without a study permit. From June 27, 2023 until June 27, 2026, foreign workers who hold a valid work permit in Canada that was issued on or before June 7, 2023, or a letter issued by IRCC on or before June 7 authorizing them to work while their work permit extension application was in process, can study full-time or part-time in Canada while their work permits are valid, without restrictions on the length of the program. Typically, foreign workers can study while working, but only in programs of less than six months; for longer programs, they have to apply separately for a study permit. Foreign workers should be aware that if they are seeking to study longer than the duration of their work permit, they will still need to apply for a study permit upon the expiration of their work permit. Further, any Canadian work experience gained during a period of full-time study does not count toward eligibility for the Canadian Experience Class program, nor can students earn Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for it. Contact your immigration professional for case-specific advice.