In a move aimed squarely at up-skilling the temporary workforce already in the country, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has confirmed that foreign workers with a valid work permit may enrol in study programs of six months or less without first securing a separate study permit. The temporary public policy was signed by Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab on August 5 and took effect on September 4 2026, but IRCC published the operational details only this week (October 8). The exemption will run until 31 December 2027 unless the minister rescinds it earlier. Traditionally, any course longer than six months has required a study permit, creating extra cost and red tape for workers who wanted to complete a micro-credential, licensing refresher or language upgrade. Under the new rules, the worker’s existing work-permit validity becomes the only time-limit: the short course must finish before the permit expires. Both full-time and part-time study are allowed, and the policy applies nationwide, including in Quebec (no CAQ is required). IRCC says the measure supports employers that are struggling with skills gaps—especially in health care, construction and advanced manufacturing—by making it easier for staff already on the payroll to gain new qualifications. For foreign workers, the benefit is equally clear: they can now add a certificate or trade credential without interrupting employment or risking refusal on a fresh permit application. The department cautions, however, that work experience gained during full-time studies under this exemption will not count toward Canadian Experience Class eligibility or earn CRS points in Express Entry, a nuance that HR teams and immigration counsel will want to flag for employees building a permanent-residence strategy. Practically, employers should ensure that any scheduling changes needed to accommodate classroom hours are documented and compliant with employment-standards legislation. Learning institutions are being advised to accept a copy of the valid work permit as proof of legal status. IRCC has not ruled out extending the exemption beyond 2027 if evaluation shows that it helps workers move up the skills ladder while easing labour shortages. For now, companies that rely on temporary foreign talent have a two-year window in which job-embedded skilling just became markedly simpler.
Source: IRCC.com
