Canada has introduced a temporary immigration measure allowing certain foreign workers already in the country to study for up to six months without applying for a separate study permit.
The measure took effect on September 4, 2026, and is intended to help eligible temporary workers gain additional skills, complete short-term training and pursue education while continuing to work in Canada.
The new flexibility could be particularly useful for workers in sectors such as healthcare, trades and laboratory services, but it is important to understand that the measure is not a new pathway for people outside Canada to enter the country.
Instead, it applies to eligible foreign nationals who already hold a valid Canadian work permit.
What Has Canada Changed for Temporary Workers?
Under the new temporary public policy, eligible foreign workers with valid work permits can study in Canada for six months or less without obtaining a study permit.
The authorization lasts for:
- Up to six months, or
- Until the worker’s current work permit expires,
whichever comes first.
The policy is currently scheduled to remain in effect until December 31, 2027.
This gives eligible workers more flexibility to pursue short-term education or training without going through the separate study-permit process.
Who Can Study Without a Study Permit?
The basic eligibility requirements are relatively straightforward.
A foreign worker may qualify if they:
- Hold a valid Canadian work permit
- Want to study in a program that lasts six months or less
- Continue to meet the conditions of the temporary public policy
If the person’s work permit expires before the six-month study period ends, their authorization to study under this policy also ends when the work permit expires.
The policy applies to eligible work permit holders across Canada, including workers in Quebec.
What Types of Study Can Workers Pursue?
The new measure is designed to make it easier for temporary workers to develop skills while remaining in the Canadian workforce.
For example, a worker could use the opportunity for:
- Short-term professional training
- Skills development
- Certain licensing-related education
- Short courses
- Other programs lasting six months or less
The Canadian Government specifically highlighted workers such as tradespeople, nurses and laboratory technicians as examples of people who could benefit from the additional flexibility.
However, the policy does not mean that every type of education is automatically permitted.
The program must fall within the six-month limit and the worker must remain eligible under the temporary policy.
Do You Need a Study Permit?
For an eligible program lasting six months or less, a qualifying work permit holder does not need to obtain a separate study permit under this temporary policy.
The educational institution may ask the worker to prove that they qualify for the exemption.
In that situation, the worker can provide their valid work permit as evidence of their eligibility.
This removes an additional immigration application for workers who only want to undertake short-term education.
What If the Course Lasts More Than Six Months?
The temporary policy only covers studies lasting six months or less.
A worker who wants to undertake a program longer than six months will generally need to follow the normal Canadian study-permit requirements.
Therefore, someone should not enrol in a longer program assuming that their existing work permit automatically gives them permission to study for the entire duration.
The six-month limit is one of the key conditions of the temporary policy.
Can Workers Continue Working While Studying?
Yes.
The policy was specifically introduced to allow eligible temporary workers to pursue short-term education while they continue working.
However, workers must still comply with the conditions attached to their work permit.
There can also be practical employment considerations.
For example, if a worker needs to reduce their working hours to attend classes, they may need to discuss the change with their employer and ensure that it is consistent with their employment agreement.
The Canadian Government notes that workers remain responsible for reaching an agreement with their employer if their study plans affect their employment arrangements.
What About Workers in Quebec?
Workers in Quebec are also covered by the temporary measure if they meet the eligibility requirements.
The Canadian Government introduced a related temporary exemption from the Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ)requirement for eligible studies under this policy.
Both the federal temporary public policy and the Quebec exemption took effect on September 4, 2026.
This means eligible workers in Quebec can also benefit from the short-term study flexibility without obtaining a separate study permit or CAQ for qualifying studies.
What Happens If You Want to Do a Co-op Placement?
There are additional rules if the short-term course includes a co-op work placement.
A worker may need to obtain a new employer-specific work permit before starting the co-op placement if the co-op involves a different employer or occupation from the worker’s existing work permit.
Open work permit holders may not need to obtain a new work permit for the co-op placement.
This is an important distinction because the temporary study policy does not automatically give someone permission to work for a different employer or in a different occupation.
Does Study Experience Count Toward Express Entry?
There is another important limitation for workers planning their long-term immigration strategy.
If an eligible worker studies full-time under this temporary policy, work experience gained during those studies will not count toward:
- Canadian Experience Class eligibility, or
- Canadian work-experience points under the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System.
This means workers should not automatically assume that working while undertaking full-time studies will provide additional Canadian Experience Class or Express Entry work-experience benefits.
Is This a New Way to Move to Canada?
No.
This is perhaps the most important point about the announcement.
The Canadian Government explicitly states that the measure is not a new pathway for workers to come to Canada.
The policy is designed for foreign workers who are already in Canada with valid work permits.
Someone living outside Canada cannot simply use this policy to obtain permission to enter Canada as a worker or student.
They would still need to qualify for an appropriate Canadian immigration pathway.
Why Did Canada Introduce This Temporary Measure?
The Canadian Government says the measure is intended to help temporary workers develop skills while continuing to contribute to the Canadian economy.
It specifically identifies areas such as:
- Trades
- Healthcare
- Laboratory services
- Home building
- Other areas where additional skills can support labour needs
The measure also comes as Canada continues to adjust its temporary-resident programs and reduce the size of the temporary population.
Canada’s current immigration planning targets new temporary resident arrivals at 385,000 in 2026, with lower notional targets of 370,000 in 2027 and 2028.
Therefore, the new study flexibility should be understood as a targeted measure for people already in Canada rather than a broad expansion of temporary immigration.
How Long Will the New Policy Last?
The temporary policy took effect on September 4, 2026.
It is scheduled to remain in effect until:
December 31, 2027
unless it is cancelled or extended earlier.
Workers planning to use the measure should therefore check the latest official information before enrolling because temporary immigration policies can be changed or replaced.
What Should Temporary Workers Do Before Studying?
Workers who believe they qualify should take several steps before enrolling.
1. Check your work permit
Make sure your Canadian work permit is valid.
The authorization to study under this policy depends on having a valid work permit.
2. Check the course length
The program must be six months or less to fall under the temporary study policy.
3. Confirm your eligibility with the school
The educational institution may ask you to provide evidence that you are allowed to study without a study permit.
Your valid work permit can be used as proof where required.
4. Check your work conditions
If studying affects your working schedule, discuss the arrangement with your employer.
Your work permit conditions still matter.
5. Be careful with co-op programs
If your studies include a co-op placement, check whether you need an additional work permit before starting the placement.
6. Think about your long-term immigration plans
If your ultimate goal is permanent residence, understand how your education and work arrangements affect the immigration program you intend to use.
Do not assume that every hour worked while studying will count toward Express Entry or Canadian Experience Class requirements.
Can Someone Outside Canada Benefit From This Rule?
Not directly.
A person outside Canada cannot apply for this temporary study exemption simply because they want to study in Canada.
The policy is specifically aimed at eligible foreign nationals who already hold valid Canadian work permits.
Someone outside Canada who wants to study in Canada should instead examine the normal study-permit requirements and available immigration pathways.
Canada Study and Work Rules Are Changing
The new policy is part of a broader period of change in Canada’s temporary immigration system.
Canada has been adjusting its international student and temporary worker programs while trying to reduce temporary resident numbers and focus immigration programs more closely on labour-market needs.
At the same time, the Government continues to introduce targeted measures that give certain people already in Canada more flexibility.
For temporary workers, the new six-month study exemption is one example of this approach.
Final Thoughts
Canada’s new temporary study policy gives eligible foreign workers an additional opportunity to improve their skills without applying for a separate study permit for qualifying programs lasting six months or less.
The policy took effect on September 4, 2026, and is currently scheduled to continue until December 31, 2027.
However, the measure has clear limits.
It applies to eligible workers who are already in Canada with valid work permits. It does not create a new route for people outside Canada to enter the country, and programs longer than six months are not covered by the exemption.
For workers who are already in Canada, the change could provide a useful way to gain additional qualifications, complete short-term training or prepare for new employment opportunities while continuing to work.
Anyone considering using the policy should confirm their eligibility and study arrangements with the relevant educational institution and check the latest information from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) before beginning a course.
