What changed
Canada now allows eligible foreign workers already in the country to study without a separate study permit. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced a temporary public policy effective September 4, 2026, and announced it on September 9, 2026 (IRCC notice).
The measure lets work permit holders study for up to six months, or until their work permit expires, whichever comes first (IRCC policy). It is a shift from the old rule, which required foreign nationals to finish their programme before their authorised stay ended (IRCC.com).
The policy runs until December 31, 2027, and can be revoked at any time without prior notice (IRCC.com). It replaces an earlier policy that expired on June 27, 2026 (IRCC.com).
Who is affected
You need a valid work permit and a study programme of six months or less (IRCC policy). IRCC says the policy targets workers in high-demand sectors such as construction and healthcare (Streamline).
For Indian families, this matters because a spouse or worker already in Canada can now pick up short licensing courses, training or education programmes without paying for and waiting on a separate study permit (Tuko.co.ke). The Economic Times reports the change also covers cases where the course extends beyond the period the worker was initially authorised to stay (Economic Times).
This sits alongside Canada's wider tightening of the International Student Program. The 2026 provincial and territorial allocations under the international student cap are already published (IRCC), and the Auditor General found the reforms controlled growth but fell short on integrity (Canada.ca). In other words, the front door for new study permits is narrower, while the side door for workers already inside is wider.
What to do now
- Check your work permit expiry date first. Your study window ends when the permit does, whichever comes first (IRCC policy).
- Confirm your chosen course is six months or less before you enrol, since longer programmes still need a study permit (IRCC policy).
- Watch for IRCC's direct notifications, which the department said it would begin sending to eligible work permit holders this week (Tuko.co.ke).
- Read the full policy page before paying any deposit, because the measure expires on December 31, 2027 and can be revoked without notice (IRCC.com).
- If your goal is permanent residence, plan how the short course feeds your Express Entry profile, and keep your English scores current with mock tests.
Bottom line
From September 4, 2026, eligible work permit holders in Canada can study for up to six months without a study permit, under a temporary policy that runs to December 31, 2027 (IRCC notice). For spouses and workers already in Canada, it is a cheaper, faster route to Canadian credentials. For everyone still outside, the student cap means the study permit route stays competitive, so treat this as a policy for people already inside, not a new back door.