Canada has removed one of the most frustrating double-paperwork hurdles for temporary foreign workers. A temporary public policy that took effect on September 4 and was confirmed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on October 4 allows anyone who already has a valid Canadian work permit to enrol in courses or training programmes of six months or less without first applying for a separate study permit. The change is deliberately narrow: it applies only to workers who remain in status for the full length of the programme, and it expires on 31 December 2027 unless it is renewed. Yet its practical impact is significant. Before the policy, a welder who wanted a six-week safety certificate or a nurse who needed a short bridging course had to complete a second online application, pay another fee and wait for IRCC to issue a study permit—even though they were already authorised to be in the country. IRCC says the goal is to help workers “up-skill without leaving the labour market,” citing acute shortages in construction, health care and laboratory services. The department is explicitly encouraging colleges, polytechnics and professional regulators to design micro-credentials that fit the six-month window so that workers can gain Canadian credentials or licences while keeping their jobs. The policy also clarifies edge cases. Workers in Quebec are covered and do not need a CAQ for qualifying courses. Programmes that include a co-op placement may still require a second employer-specific work permit if the placement differs from the employee’s current job. IRCC warns that work performed while studying full-time under this policy will not count toward the Canadian Experience Class or other Express Entry points, so would-be permanent-residence applicants need to balance the benefits of training against the loss of CRS points. For employers, the measure removes downtime and paperwork costs when they send foreign workers for mandatory short training. For global-mobility managers, it simplifies compliance: as long as the course finishes before the work-permit expiry date, no extra immigration step is needed. Companies should, however, keep copies of work permits on file to show schools and provincial inspectors if asked.
Source: IRCC.com
