Highlights: Select Canada work permit holders can continue their studies without a student visa
- IRCC confirms specific work permit holders can continue their studies in Canada without a study permit.
- Individuals who have applied for a Canada work permit before June 7, 2023, are eligible for this.
- The confirmation comes as an addition to the 2023 Temporary Policy for foreign workers to study without requiring a study permit.
- Select work permit holders can study without a permit until the permit or policy expires (June 27, 2026).
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Select Work Permit holders to continue studies without a study visa, Confirm IRCC
IRCC released an official confirmation stating that certain work permit holders can continue to pursue their studies in Canada without requiring a student visa. As per the Temporary Policy, introduced in 2023, individuals who applied for a Canada work permit before June 7, 2023, can qualify to study in the country without a study visa. The policy is set to expire on June 27, 2026.
Who is eligible to study in Canada without a student visa?
To be eligible to qualify under the Temporary policy for the study permit exemption, one must:
- Have a work permit applied on or before June 7, 2023.
- Have requested for a work permit renewal on or before June 7, 2023
Note: Newcomers who applied after June 7, 2023, are not eligible for this policy.
Work permit holders can continue their employment if their current work permit has expired and they have already applied for a renewal. This would be done under “Maintained status.”
Individuals with both a valid study permit and a co-op work visa and fulfilling the above criteria can also apply for additional study courses if they:
- Continue to fulfill the conditions of their present study permit
- Continue studying in the primary study program
- Enroll in additional study courses/programs does not extend the current co-op work permit duration
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How long can select work permit holders study in Canada without a student visa?
Select work permit holders under the Temporary policy can study in Canada without a student visa until:
- The present work permit expires
- The application or your present work permit renal expires or is rejected
- The temporary policy expires on June 27, 2026.
Documents required while applying for a Canadian school with a study permit exemption
If you qualify under the Temporary policy and are looking to apply for a Canadian DLI, you must submit the below documents as proof that you are study permit exempt:
- Current work visa or a valid Canada work permit
- AOR (Acknowledgment of Receipt)
- Work authorization letter issued after applying for a work permit exemption
- A confirmation email sent by the IRCC confirming that you qualify under the Temporary policy
Can studying in Canada help you get PR?
Yes, studying in Canada can positively impact your chances of securing a Canadian PR. International students can apply for a Canada PR through immigration programs such as Express Entry and the Canada PNP.
You can score up to 150 points through the CRS points Calculator in the factors given below:
|
Level of Education |
Points awarded with a spouse or common-law partner |
Points awarded without a spouse or common-law partner |
|
(Maximum 140 points) |
(Maximum 150 points) |
|
|
Less than secondary school (high school) |
0 |
0 |
|
Secondary diploma (high school graduation) |
28 |
30 |
|
One-year degree, diploma or certificate from a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
84 |
90 |
|
Two-year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
91 |
98 |
|
Bachelor's degree OR a three or more year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
112 |
120 |
|
Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees. One must be for a program of three or more years |
119 |
128 |
|
Master's degree, OR professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession (For “professional degree,” the degree program must have been in: medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, optometry, law, chiropractic medicine, or pharmacy.) |
126 |
135 |
|
Doctoral level university degree (Ph.D.) |
140 |
150 |
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