September 4, 2026: Work Permit Holders Can Study 6 Months Without a Study Permit
IRCC published a new temporary public policy for people already working in Canada. On its workers study-without-permit page, last modified September 9, 2026, the department states that as of September 4, 2026 an eligible work permit holder may study without a study permit if the program is 6 months or less.
The same day, IRCC posted a September 9, 2026 notice confirming the measure runs until December 31, 2027. The Minister signed the public policy in Ottawa on August 5, 2026. It took effect 30 days later, which is September 4, 2026.
This is not the 2023 policy that ended on June 27, 2026. That older measure was limited to work permit files received on or before June 7, 2023. This 2026 instrument is a new s. 25.2 IRPA public policy. It applies if you hold a valid work permit now.
What changed, and what did not
The new rule does two things. It lets a current work permit holder take a course or program of six months or less without filing a study permit. It also exempts that person from paragraph 188(1)(c) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, which otherwise requires the course to finish within the stay authorized on entry.
The September 9 notice is blunt about the outer limit. Full-time studies still require a study permit. The operational page is equally blunt about duration: the program must not be longer than 6 months, and authorization lasts 6 months or until the work permit expires, whichever comes first.
| Item | Official figure |
|---|---|
| Policy signed | August 5, 2026 |
| In force | September 4, 2026 (30 days after signature) |
| Expires | December 31, 2027, unless revoked earlier |
| Who qualifies | A foreign national who holds a valid work permit |
| Program length | 6 months or less |
| How long you may study | 6 months, or until the work permit expires, whichever is earlier |
| Quebec CAQ | Not required under this policy if you meet the federal criteria |
| Study-related work permit conditions | Do not have to be met under this measure |
IRCC will start notifying eligible work permit holders this week. The school may still ask for proof. The document IRCC tells you to show is your valid work permit.
Quebec, employers, and co-op
Workers in Quebec are included as of September 4, 2026. If you meet the federal criteria, IRCC says you do not need a Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ) for study under this policy. Quebec's temporary CAQ exemption and the federal public policy share that start date.
You still have to keep the work conditions that are about employment. IRCC only drops study-related conditions on the work permit. Hours changes stay a matter for the employer contract.
Co-op is separate. If the placement is with a different employer or occupation, you generally need a second employer-specific work permit before it starts. Open work permit holders do not.
What this does not give you
The September 9 notice says this is not a new pathway into Canada. Ottawa still aims to bring the temporary population under 5% of the total population by the end of 2027.
It also does not help permanent residence scoring if you study full time under the policy. IRCC's operational page states that work experience gained during those full-time studies does not count toward Canadian Experience Class eligibility or Canadian work experience points on the Comprehensive Ranking System.
Do not treat a short course under this policy as a substitute for a designated-learning-institution program that you intend to use for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. If the program is longer than 6 months, file a study permit.
The June 2023 policy that we covered in our June 27, 2026 expiry explainer is closed. Do not mix the two instruments. The 2023 cohort rule is over. The 2026 rule is shorter in program length and broader in who may use it.
What to do this week
- Confirm the work permit is valid on the day you start the course.
- Confirm the program calendar is 6 months or less.
- Keep a copy of the work permit for the school.
- If you need a co-op with a new employer, file the second work permit first.
- If the real plan is a one-year or two-year credential, use the study permit process instead.
If you hold a work permit and want to add a short licence, trade ticket, or upgrading course, or if you are choosing between this policy and a full study permit, contact JSR Immigration & Legals through our consultation page or the work permit service page.
This article is general information current to September 9, 2026, and is not legal or immigration advice. Confirm the live public policy and the workers page on Canada.ca before you enrol.
Immigration & paralegal practitioner at JSR Immigration & Legals, helping newcomers and Ontario residents with their cases.
This post is general information about Canadian immigration and Ontario paralegal matters and is not legal advice. Rules change and every case is different — confirm current requirements for your own situation.