Canada Lets Foreign Workers Study Without Separate Permit

Canada has introduced a new temporary public policy that allows foreign workers to study without applying for a separate permit. The policy is aimed at giving temporary foreign workers more flexibility to upgrade their skills, earn new credentials, or gain professional licensing.

The policy applies to foreign nationals with a valid work permit and exempts them from the usual regulatory requirement that a course or program of study be completed within the original period of stay authorized on entry into Canada. This exemption will last until the worker's underlying work permit expires or the policy itself expires on December 31, 2027.

The policy is designed to support labour market needs, including addressing shortages in key sectors like healthcare, while strengthening pathways to permanent residence for workers whose skills support Canada's economy.