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When we first published this article in March 2026, IRCC had just explained an important rule about the six-month study permit exemption. Usually, a short course had to be finished during the time you were allowed to stay when you entered Canada.
From 4th September 2026 there will be a new temporary exemption for individuals who have valid work permits.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a temporary measure which allows foreign nationals holding a valid work permit to undertake a course or program of six months or less without having to obtain a study permit. People with eligible work permits are not required to complete the course within the time originally granted to them when they first entered Canada. This exemption will remain in effect until the work permit expires, the policy is discontinued, or it is cancelled by IRCC, whichever occurs first. The policy is scheduled to end on December 31, 2027.
It is now possible for someone who has obtained or had a work permit while in Canada to do a short course without needing a study permit, provided that they still have a valid work permit and satisfy the requirements set out in the policy. This represents a major departure from what we stated in our article from March 2026.
The IRCC states that this measure is intended to help temporary workers improve their skills, obtain qualifications or professional licences, and take up higher-skilled jobs, particularly in fields where there is a labour shortage. When it made the announcement on September 9, IRCC also mentioned that a study permit is still required for full-time studies; therefore, workers should not think that, since they have a work permit, they will not need a study permit for full-time studies.
What happens to the regular six-month exemption?
It's still worth watching. A foreign national may usually study without having to obtain a study permit under IRPR R188(1)(c) when the course or program lasts six months or less and can be finished within the period of stay authorized at the time the person entered Canada.
The public policy of September 2026 fails to eliminate that regulation; rather, it provides a temporary exemption for eligible holders of work permits from the second requirement, namely, that the program must fit within the original period allowed to them when they entered Canada.
For individuals who don't meet the criteria set out in the new public policy, the normal R188(1)(c) rules must still be taken into account.
What about work permits issued or extended outside Canada?
The most important aspect of the September 2026 change is found here.
In the past, a person who had entered Canada and then obtained a new or extended work permit while in the country might have come up against the provisions of R188(1)(c), since the new period of authorization was not always the same as the one granted at the time of their initial entry.
A person who currently holds a valid work permit will temporarily be exempt from this restriction in the case of courses or programmes lasting six months or fewer. This exemption will remain in force until the work permit expires, the policy ends, or IRCC cancels it—whichever occurs first.
Spousal open work permit holders and other workers
It is also important for individuals who have spousal open work permits, employer-specific work permits, or other valid work permits.
Now that the temporary policy is in place, the issue is no longer simply whether the period of stay was allowed when you first entered Canada; the first step is to check that the person has a valid work permit and that their intended studies are in accordance with the temporary policy.
It is now much simpler for workers who are already in Canada to enroll in short-term professional courses, licensing programs, and courses aimed at improving their skills. The policy must not be understood as allowing anyone to carry out any study, for any length of time, without first obtaining a study permit. The course or program has to last six months or less, and IRCC's September 9 announcement makes it clear that full-time studies still require a study permit.
What happened to the old June 2023 - June 2026 public policy?
The earlier temporary public policy, which applied to some workers whose work permit applications were filed on or before June 7, 2023, ended on June 27, 2026, and is now closed.
What’s the takeaway here?
The rules regarding work permits are now considerably more flexible for many holders than they were at the time this article was first published.
A foreign national holding a valid work permit may now have the opportunity to complete a course or program lasting six months or less without needing to obtain a study permit, even if their work permit or authorization was issued after they entered Canada.
The exemption is only available as long as the qualifying work permit is valid and no later than 31 December 2027, unless IRCC terminates the policy earlier. However, people doing full-time studies might still need a study permit.
Each immigration case is unique. This article is intended solely for general informational purposes and does not offer any legal advice.
Before you enrol, you should check that the study permit exemption applies to your individual case and to the programme you have chosen.
If you’re ready to add 🌶️ to your Canadian immigration plan, book some time with Westdale Immigration Consulting Inc.
