Highlights: IRCC allows certain work permit holders to study in Canada without a study permit
- IRCC has announced updates to their operational instruction on December 06, 2024.
- Canada work permit applicants before June 07, 2023 can continue to study in Canada without a student visa.
- This policy is a continuation of the temporary public policy implemented in 2023.
- The policy allowing work permit holders to study in Canada will last till June 27, 2026.
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Who is allowed to study in Canada without a Canadian study permit?
According to IRCC’s updated guidelines and operational instructions, work permit holders who applied for their permit before June 07, 2023, can continue studies in Canada without having a Canadian study permit. This is a continuation of the temporary public policy, which was implemented in 2023 and set to continue till June 27, 2026.
The IRCC must have received you work permit application or renewal application on before this date for you to be eligible for this policy. Renewal applicants will be eligible for this policy only if they received work authorisation for their work permit while the renewal application was being processed.
Under this policy, you would be eligible to enrol in an additional study program if you:
- Continue to meet the conditions specified in your study permit
- Are still studying in your main study program
Note: The course length of the additional program must not exceed the length of your co-op work permit.
How long can work permit holders study without a study permit?
As a Canadian work permit holder, you would be allowed to study in Canada without a student visa until:
- The expiry of your current work permit
- The expiry or rejection of your renewal application
- June 27, 2026 (The expiry of this temporary public policy)
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Documents required to study in Canada without a study permit
Work permit holders who are allowed to study in Canada without a study permit will be required to show certain documents to their Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs). You can provide the following documents as proof of your study permit exemption:
- Current and valid Canadian work permit
- AOR (Acknowledgement of Receipt) that was sent after applying for your work permit renewal application
- Work authorization letter
- IRCC’s email stating that you are exempted from Canada study permit requirement
How does studying in Canada impact your chances of getting Canada PR?
International students and foreign workers often want to settle in Canada as a permanent resident. Immigration programs like Express Entry and Canada PNP are some of the easiest routes of acquiring Canada PR. These programs use the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to assess the eligibility of the candidates.
The table below demonstrates how studying in Canada increase your CRS score, thereby increasing your chances to obtain Canada PR:
|
Level of Education |
Points awarded with a spouse or common-law partner |
Points awarded without a spouse or common-law partner |
|
(Maximum 140 points) |
(Maximum 150 points) |
|
|
Less than secondary school (high school) |
0 |
0 |
|
Secondary diploma (high school graduation) |
28 |
30 |
|
One-year degree, diploma or certificate from a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
84 |
90 |
|
Two-year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
91 |
98 |
|
Bachelor's degree OR a three or more year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
112 |
120 |
|
Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees. One must be for a program of three or more years |
119 |
128 |
|
Master's degree, OR professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession (For “professional degree,” the degree program must have been in: medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, optometry, law, chiropractic medicine, or pharmacy.) |
126 |
135 |
|
Doctoral level university degree (Ph.D.) |
140 |
150 |
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