On February 19, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updated its operational instructions for study permits issued to students completing prerequisite courses before starting full-time academic programs. The change has a direct and significant impact on international students who must first complete English or French language training, foundation programs, or academic upgrading before beginning their main degree or diploma.
Under the previous rules, officers were instructed to issue a study permit for a period equal to the length of the prerequisite course plus one full year (365 days). This generous buffer period gave students ample time to prepare their applications for the main program, secure admission, and submit their new study permit application from within Canada without risking a gap in legal status.
Now, IRCC instructs officers to issue study permits for only 90 days beyond the length of the prerequisite course. That is a 75% reduction in the buffer period. For students whose ESL programs run six months or longer, this means their initial study permit may expire in as little as three months after the language course ends.
Who Is Affected by the 90-Day Rule?
The rule applies to international students who must complete preparatory studies before gaining full admission to their main academic program. This is commonly known as conditional admission.
ESL and FSL language programs — Students who must complete English as a Second Language or French as a Second Language training before being admitted to their degree or diploma program.
Conditional admissions — Students whose Letter of Acceptance explicitly states they are admitted conditionally on completing prerequisite coursework.
Foundation and pathway programs — Academic transition programs designed to prepare students for the rigours of Canadian bachelor or master degree programs.
Academic upgrading courses — Math, science, or other prerequisite courses required to meet Canadian entry requirements for post-secondary programs.
Regular study permits are not affected. Students admitted directly to a degree or diploma program without any prerequisite conditions receive standard study permits covering their full program duration plus 90 days. If your Letter of Acceptance contains no conditional language requiring preparatory coursework, the 90-day rule does not apply to you.
Real-World Example: ESL Student to Four-Year Bachelor Program
IRCC provides a specific example to illustrate how the new rule works in practice.
Student profile: Celina Lavange receives conditional acceptance to a four-year bachelor program at a designated learning institution (DLI). Her admission is conditional on completing a four-month ESL course that runs from May 6, 2026 to September 6, 2026.
Outcome under the new rule: Celina applies for her study permit before travelling to Canada. At the port of entry, she is issued a study permit valid through December 5, 2026. That calculation is straightforward: September 6 (ESL end date) plus 90 days equals December 5.
What Celina must do: She completes her ESL course in September, then from within Canada submits a new study permit application for her bachelor program. She must do this before December 5, 2026, to maintain legal status.
If Celina had not applied for the initial study permit for her four months of ESL study, she would not be allowed to apply for a study permit from within Canada later unless she met another exemption. This is an important detail — students must apply for their initial study permit even for short prerequisite courses if they plan to transition to a longer program from inside Canada.
The Critical Maintained Status Provision
If you submit your new study permit application before your current permit expires, you benefit from maintained status, formerly known as implied status. This is a crucial protection under Canadian immigration law.
While on maintained status, you may legally remain in Canada while your application is being processed. You may also continue working under the same conditions as your original permit if you were authorized to work.
However, there is a critical limitation: While on maintained status, you cannot start your main academic program until the new study permit is physically approved. This creates a potential gap between completing your prerequisites and starting your degree or diploma program.
If your new study permit application takes longer than expected to process, you may not be able to begin classes at the start of the academic term. This is the single biggest risk created by the 90-day rule — the compressed timeline leaves virtually no margin for processing delays.
Step-by-Step Compliance Strategy
Step 1: Know your exact ESL end date. Your study permit validity is calculated from the official end date of your prerequisite program, not the start date. Confirm this date with your DLI in writing.
Step 2: Prepare your main program study permit application early. Gather all required documents — Letter of Acceptance for the main program, proof of financial support, passport copies, and any other IRCC-required materials — at least two months before your expected submission deadline.
Step 3: Submit your main program study permit application at least three weeks before your current permit expires. IRCC processing times vary. Submitting early ensures you maintain status even if the application takes longer than expected.
Step 4: Do not enroll in your main program until the new study permit is approved. While maintained status allows you to remain in Canada, it does not authorize you to begin your degree or diploma program.
Step 5: Keep copies of your submission receipt. This receipt is your proof of maintained status. Carry it with you at all times and provide it to your institution when required.
What If Your Study Permit Expires Before Your Main Program Starts?
If your new study permit application is still processing when your main program begins, you have two options:
First, contact your institution to request a deferral to the next available intake. Many DLIs allow deferrals for international students with pending immigration applications, especially under these new rules.
Second, if deferral is not possible or desirable, you may need to apply for a study permit extension from within Canada while on maintained status. This adds complexity and cost, so it should be a last resort.
Special Considerations for Quebec Students
Students studying in Quebec must also ensure their CAQ (Certificat d acceptation du Quebec) permits the prerequisite course and covers the transition period. If your CAQ expires during the 90-day buffer, you must apply for a CAQ extension before your current one expires.
Key Takeaways
The 90-day rule is a significant change that requires careful planning from international students in conditional admission programs. The buffer period has been reduced from 12 months to just 3 months, leaving minimal margin for error. Students must apply for their initial study permit even for short prerequisite courses, prepare their main program application well in advance, and submit it before their current permit expires. The risk of missing the deadline is losing legal status, which could require restoration procedures and potentially force you to leave Canada.
If your Letter of Acceptance contains conditional language requiring preparatory coursework, the 90-day rule applies to you. Plan accordingly, and do not wait until the last minute to submit your main program study permit application.