A temporary public policy that has allowed thousands of temporary foreign workers in Canada to study full time without obtaining a separate study permit is reaching its hard deadline on June 27, 2026. After that date, anyone who continues studying in Canada without a valid study permit will be out of status — and there are critical consequences that few workers fully understand, including the complete loss of Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility and Canadian work experience credit for Express Entry.
The policy was introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on June 27, 2023, as a three-year measure giving eligible temporary foreign workers the flexibility to upgrade their skills, credentials, or professional licensing while continuing to work in Canada. For three years, the policy removed the previous restriction that limited work permit holders to study programs of six months or less without a study permit, allowing full-time and part-time studies under the exemption.
To qualify for this exemption, workers needed to hold a valid work permit that was applied for on or before June 7, 2023 — or have submitted a work permit renewal application by that same date. Workers who applied for a work permit after June 7, 2023, were never eligible under this policy regardless of their current permit status. This cutoff date excluded many newer temporary foreign workers who arrived in Canada during the post-pandemic surge, creating a two-tier system that some immigration experts argue was inherently unfair from the start.
Eligible workers could study full time or part time without obtaining a study permit until the earlier of their work permit expiry date or June 27, 2026. The policy was designed to help workers in sectors like agriculture, food processing, construction support, and hospitality who needed certifications or credentials to advance their careers but could not afford to stop working.
Once the policy expires on June 27, any worker whose studies continue beyond that date will need to hold a valid study permit to remain authorized to study. Workers who plan to continue their program past the expiry date should apply for a study permit well in advance to avoid any gap in their study authorization. IRCC processing times for study permits vary significantly by country and application type, with some countries experiencing wait times of six months or longer. Early submission is essential for anyone relying on this transition window.
The most critical detail that applicants frequently overlook — and one that could have devastating long-term consequences — is that completing a program under this temporary policy does not create eligibility for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. PGWP eligibility requires the applicant to have held a valid study permit throughout their studies and to meet all standard requirements under the regular program rules. A certificate, diploma, or degree completed entirely under the work-permit-study-exemption, even from a designated learning institution, will not qualify for PGWP. This means thousands of workers who have invested months or years in education and training under the assumption that it would lead to a PGWP may find themselves with credentials but no pathway to extended work authorization after graduation.
Even more consequential is the impact on Canadian Experience Class eligibility for Express Entry. Any Canadian work experience gained during a period of full-time study under this temporary policy does not count toward eligibility for the Canadian Experience Class. IRCC considers full-time study to be a primary activity during that period, meaning the weeks or months spent studying — even if the worker was simultaneously employed part time — cannot be credited as skilled Canadian work experience. For workers who were counting those months toward the one-year or two-year Canadian Experience Class requirements, this can significantly delay their ability to enter the Express Entry pool and receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence.
Workers who used this policy to take courses should verify their immigration status carefully before June 27 and determine whether they need to apply for a study permit, return to full-time work only, or adjust their long-term immigration plans entirely. The decision is not simply a matter of applying for a study permit and continuing on the same path — it requires careful assessment of how each option affects PGWP eligibility, Canadian work experience accumulation, and permanent residence pathways.
For those who choose to apply for a study permit after June 27, the application must demonstrate genuine student intent, including proof of enrollment at a designated learning institution, sufficient financial support for tuition and living expenses, and a clear study plan that explains how the program relates to the applicant’s career goals. IRCC officers have increased scrutiny on study permit applications from temporary foreign workers in recent years, particularly where the proposed program of study appears unrelated to the applicant’s work history or where there are concerns about dual intent.
The temporary public policy was originally introduced during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when IRCC faced enormous backlogs in study permit processing and many temporary foreign workers found themselves unable to access the education they needed for career advancement. The three-year sunset clause was always built into the policy, and IRCC has made clear that no extension is planned.
Immigration consultants and settlement organizations across Canada have been running information sessions in recent weeks to help affected workers understand their options. The most common recommendation is for eligible workers who wish to continue studying to submit a study permit application as soon as possible, ideally weeks before June 27, rather than waiting until the last minute when processing delays could leave them in a precarious limbo.
The expiration of this policy also raises broader questions about Canada’s approach to integrating temporary foreign workers into the permanent residence system. With the federal government’s 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan targeting a 43 percent reduction in temporary resident admissions — from 673,650 to 385,000 new arrivals per year — the transition from temporary to permanent status is becoming increasingly important for workers who may find fewer pathways available in coming years.
Workers currently relying on the temporary study exemption should treat June 27 as a firm deadline, not an approximate target. Those who miss the window without having applied for a study permit will find themselves out of compliance with Canadian immigration law, potentially facing removal proceedings or being forced to leave Canada entirely. The stakes are too high for procrastination, and the consequences of inaction extend far beyond simply losing the ability to study — they affect permanent residence eligibility, future immigration applications, and long-term career prospects in Canada.
For the most current information on study permit processing times and application requirements, applicants should consult the official IRCC website at canada.ca before submitting their applications.