Work Permit Holders Can No Longer Study Without a Study Permit After June 27: What Changes and Who Is Affected

Work Permit Holders Can No Longer Study Without a Study Permit After June 27: What Changes and Who Is Affected

If you are currently working in Canada on a temporary work permit and have been considering taking a course or enrolling in a program of study, you need to pay close attention to an important policy deadline. On June 27, 2026, a provision that has allowed certain work permit holders to study without a formal study permit will expire. After that date, the rules change dramatically, and thousands of temporary foreign workers could find themselves in an unexpected and difficult position.

The Original Policy: What Was It?

On June 27, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced a policy that created an exception to the normal study permit requirement. The policy allowed certain temporary foreign workers who held a valid work permit to enroll in courses or programs of study — including full-time programs — without first obtaining a study permit.

This was not a universal policy. It applied only to workers who met specific eligibility criteria, and it came with significant caveats that many people overlooked at the time.

Eligibility Requirements: To qualify for this exemption, you needed to hold a valid work permit that was applied for or renewed on or before June 7, 2023. This is a critical date. If your work permit was applied for or renewed after June 7, 2023, you never qualified for this exemption, regardless of whether you currently hold a valid work permit.

The policy was designed to provide flexibility for workers who wanted to upskill or pursue further education while working in Canada. It recognized that many temporary foreign workers are in Canada to build their careers, and that education could be a valuable part of that career development.

The Deadline: June 27, 2026

The policy had an inherent expiration date — three years from when it was introduced. That date is June 27, 2026, and it is now approaching fast.

After June 27, the exemption ends. Anyone who wishes to study in Canada — whether full-time or part-time — will need a valid study permit, regardless of their work permit status. This is a return to the standard rules that have applied to most international visitors for many years.

Critical Traps You Must Know About

This is where the situation becomes particularly problematic for many workers. There are two critical traps associated with this policy that you absolutely must understand before making any decisions.

Trap #1: No Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Eligibility

If you completed any portion of your studies under this exemption — meaning you studied without a study permit between June 27, 2023 and June 27, 2026 — you will NOT be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This is a fundamental rule of Canadian immigration policy: to be eligible for a PGWP, you must have studied in Canada under a valid study permit. Time spent studying without a study permit does not count toward PGWP eligibility.

This means that if you took courses or enrolled in a program under the exemption and then completed a full program of study, you could find yourself with a diploma or certificate but no pathway to a work permit after graduation. This is a significant financial and career risk, especially for programs that cost thousands of dollars in tuition.

Trap #2: No Canadian Experience for Express Entry

Even more consequential, any full-time study undertaken under this exemption does not count toward Canadian Experience Class (CEC) eligibility for Express Entry. The CEC requires at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada, and that experience must have been gained while holding valid authorized status. Time spent studying full-time under the exemption does not qualify as work experience for immigration purposes.

This means that if you were counting on studying while working in Canada and then using that study period or the experience gained afterward to qualify for Express Entry, your immigration pathway could be completely disrupted.

Who Is Affected?

The policy affects a broad range of temporary foreign workers across Canada. Anyone who:

– Holds a work permit that was applied for or renewed on or before June 7, 2023
– Is currently enrolled in or planning to enroll in a course or program of study
– Was relying on the exemption to study without a study permit

…is directly affected by this policy change.

This includes workers in sectors like agriculture, food processing, hospitality, transportation, and healthcare — industries that employ large numbers of temporary foreign workers. Many of these workers are in Canada for extended periods and have been using the exemption to pursue education that could improve their career prospects or support their immigration applications.

The policy also affects workers who may have enrolled in part-time courses while working, as the exemption covered both full-time and part-time study.

Your Options After June 27

Once the exemption expires, you have several possible paths forward, each with its own considerations:

Option 1: Apply for a Study Permit

If you want to continue studying after June 27, you will need to apply for a study permit. This is the standard pathway and requires:
– An acceptance letter from a designated learning institution (DLI)
– Proof of financial support for tuition and living expenses
– A clean criminal record
– Medical examination (if required based on your country of residence)

Study permit processing times vary significantly by country of origin. Some countries experience processing times of several months, while others may be processed more quickly. You should check the current IRCC processing times for your specific country before making any decisions.

Option 2: Continue Working Without Studying

If you do not wish to pursue a study permit, you can simply continue working under your existing work permit. This is the simplest option but may not align with your career development goals.

Option 3: Reassess Your Immigration Strategy

For many workers, education was part of a broader immigration strategy — perhaps to qualify for Express Entry through the Canadian Experience Class, or to improve their profile in a Provincial Nominee Program. The expiration of this exemption means you may need to reassess that strategy and consider alternative pathways.

Processing Time Considerations

One of the most pressing concerns for affected workers is study permit processing time. IRCC publishes processing times by country, and these times can vary dramatically:

– Applications from some countries may be processed within a few weeks
– Applications from other countries can take several months or longer
– Peak application periods, particularly in the fall when many students apply for January intake, can extend processing times

If you are planning to study after June 27, you should apply for your study permit as early as possible. Waiting until after the exemption expires could leave you without legal status to study for an extended period.

The Bigger Picture: Why This Policy Matters

This policy expiration is not just a technical detail — it reflects broader trends in Canadian immigration policy. The government has been moving toward greater regulation of temporary residency, with increased scrutiny of study permits and work permits alike. The student visa cap, provincial caps on international students, and enhanced compliance measures all point to a tightening regulatory environment.

For temporary foreign workers, this means that the pathways available to them are becoming more complex and more regulated. The flexibility that was provided by the 2023 exemption is being withdrawn, and workers need to adapt accordingly.

What You Should Do Now

If you are a work permit holder who has been studying or planning to study under the exemption, here is what you should do immediately:

1. Assess your eligibility: Confirm whether your work permit was applied for or renewed on or before June 7, 2023. If it was not, you never qualified for the exemption and should have been applying for study permits all along.
2. Review your education plans: If you have been studying without a study permit under the exemption, understand that those studies do not count toward PGWP eligibility or CEC experience. Factor this into your career and immigration planning.
3. Plan for the transition: If you want to continue studying after June 27, begin preparing your study permit application now. Gather your acceptance letter, financial documents, and any other required materials.
4. Check processing times: Look up current IRCC processing times for study permits from your country of residence. This will help you plan your application timing.
5. Consult a professional: If you are unsure about your options, consult a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer. The consequences of getting this wrong can be significant, including loss of PGWP eligibility and disruption to your immigration pathway.

Common Questions

Can I still work while my study permit application is being processed?

If you are inside Canada and have maintained your temporary resident status, you may be able to apply for a study permit with a work component. However, the rules around this are complex and depend on your specific situation.

Does the exemption apply to part-time study?

Yes, the original exemption covered both full-time and part-time study. However, it expires on June 27, 2026, after which all study requires a study permit.

What if I am already enrolled in a program and the exemption expires mid-program?

If you were studying under the exemption and the policy expires while you are in the middle of a program, your ability to continue studying will depend on whether you can obtain a study permit in time. This is why early planning is essential.

Bottom Line

The June 27, 2026 deadline for the work permit holder study exemption is a significant change that affects thousands of temporary foreign workers in Canada. The two critical traps — loss of PGWP eligibility and exclusion from CEC experience calculations — make it essential that you understand the full implications before making any decisions about your education and immigration plans.

Do not wait until the last minute. Assess your situation, plan your next steps, and take action now. The consequences of inaction could be significant for your career and immigration future in Canada.

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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal immigration advice. For personalized guidance on your immigration situation, consult a licensed immigration professional or regulated consultant.