Can I Study While On A Work Permit In Canada?

If you already hold a work permit in Canada or you’re planning to apply for one you may be wondering: “Can I study while I’m working here?” The short answer is: sometimes yes, but the rules are specific and dependent on your permit type, when it was issued, and whether you need a separate study permit or not.

This article walks you through what you need to know, including…

1. Understanding Work Permits vs Study Permits in Canada

Before we get into the details of studying while on a work permit, it helps to recap the two main permit types:

• A work permit allows a foreign national to work in Canada for a specified employer (or under certain open-work permit programs).
• A study permit is required for many non-Canadians who want to attend a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada for full-time study.

Typically, a person either holds a work permit or a study permit, depending on what they intend to do in Canada. However, the rules are becoming more nuanced: in some cases you can study without a study permit while working — under special conditions.

For foreign workers, the key distinction is whether their work permit allows study, and whether the study they intend to do requires a study permit. The federal agency Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirms that some work permit holders may study without a study permit under a temporary public policy.

2. When Can a Work Permit Holder Study Without a Study Permit?

Yes — under certain conditions, you can study on a work permit without needing to apply for a study permit. This is thanks to a temporary public policy introduced by IRCC. Here are the key details:

• The policy was introduced on June 27, 2023.
• To be eligible, you must either:
  • Hold a valid work permit and applied for it on or before June 7, 2023, or
  • Have a letter from IRCC authorizing you to work while a work permit extension was in process, and you applied on or before June 7, 2023.
• Under this policy, eligible workers may study without a study permit until the earliest of:
  • the expiry date of their work permit
  • the date their work permit extension is refused
  • June 27, 2026 (or earlier if the policy is revoked)
• If you want to enroll in a program that goes beyond these dates, you would need to apply for a study permit.
• If you are in the province of Quebec, there is also a temporary exemption for the Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) under this policy.

What this means in plain terms: If you got your work permit or submitted your extension application on or before June 7, 2023, you may — in many cases — start studying without first getting a study permit. If not, then you likely do need a study permit (or need to switch your status accordingly).

3. When Do You Need a Study Permit?

If you are working in Canada under a work permit that does not meet the above policy conditions — or you expect your study to be full-time, for a degree, or longer than permitted — then you must apply for a study permit. Some typical situations:

• You received your work permit after June 7, 2023. Under the public policy explained above, you are not eligible to study without a study permit.
• You want to enrol in a full-time program that leads to a degree, diploma or certificate, and your work permit doesn’t explicitly allow study.
• Your intention is to shift from working to studying — in which case applying for a study permit is the appropriate route.
• Your employer-specific work permit has strict conditions that prohibit study or changes in employment. Some permits carry wording like “Unless authorized, must not attend any educational institution or take any academic, professional or vocational training course”.

In such cases, you should either apply for a study permit or change your status before starting full-time study. Failure to do so may put you out of compliance and affect your immigration status.

4. What Kind of Study Is Allowed While on a Work Permit?

Even if you’re eligible under the temporary policy or you hold a study permit alongside your work permit, what kind of study you can do matters. Some guidelines:

• If you’re in the eligible work permit category (applied on or before June 7, 2023), you may enroll in a study program until your work permit expires or the policy expires.
• If you hold a study permit plus a co-op work permit (for example) then additional study may also be possible under the same policy.
• For study permits (not work permit holders), full-time programs are allowed, but working while studying has its own rules (for example off-campus work) which we won’t cover in detail here.
• If your work permit is employer-specific and very restrictive, you must check whether your permit includes a condition that prohibits study or requires approval.
• The study you do must still comply with the usual requirements of the educational institution and program (for example: designated learning institution, program legitimacy, etc.)

In short: while on a work permit, you may do some study — but you must check your permit’s conditions and whether you fall under the special IRCC public policy.

5. Pros & Cons of Studying While Working in Canada

Pros

• Skill upgrade: Enhancing your education while working gives you better career opportunities.
• Canadian credentials: Taking courses or certifications in Canada may strengthen your future immigration or job prospects.
• Dual strategy: You’re working and studying — good for ongoing settlement, experience and networking.

Cons / Caution

• Time management: Working full-time and studying can be demanding — your employer may expect full work hours.
• Permit conditions: If your work permit conditions restrict study, violating them may jeopardize your status.
• Policy limitations: If you applied after June 7, 2023 (and are therefore not eligible under the temporary policy), you must get a study permit — which adds cost/time.
• Program suitability: Ensure the program you select aligns with your long-term goals and is offered by a designated learning institution (if required).
• Impact on immigration path: Switching statuses (work ➜ study) may affect your future eligibility for programs like the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) or permanent residence.

6. Step-by-Step: How to Study While on a Work Permit

Here is a practical roadmap:

1. Check your work permit: Look for conditions on your permit. Does it allow study? Was it issued or applied for on or before June 7, 2023?
2. Determine your eligibility under the public policy:
   • If your work permit meets the cutoff date and you hold it now, you may be able to study without a study permit.
   • If you don’t meet the cutoff, you need a study permit to enrol full-time.
3. Choose your study program: Pick a program at a designated learning institution (DLI) or check whether study permit rules apply.
4. Confirm employer/contract conditions: If your work permit is employer-specific, check that your employment contract or permit doesn’t disallow study or ask for employer permission.
5. Register at the institution: Provide proof of eligibility if asked (some colleges request your valid work permit or IRCC email under the policy).
6. Balance work & study: Make sure your work schedule allows you to attend classes and complete assignments without jeopardizing your job.
7. Stay compliant: Ensure you still meet any conditions of your work permit (e.g., employer, location, duties). Don’t automatically assume study is allowed if your permit lists restrictions.
8. Track your status and plan ahead: If your work permit will expire or you want to extend your study, consider whether you should switch to a study permit or apply for an extension.
9. Consider long-term goals: If your aim is permanent residence or a study-to-work-path, ensure that the program and your work align with immigration or employment frameworks.

7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I enroll part-time while working on a Canadian work permit?
A: It depends. Under the public policy, you may study without a study permit, but you should confirm program requirements and your permit’s conditions. If your program is full-time and you don’t meet policy eligibility, you’ll need a study permit.

Q: Does my work permit expire mean I must stop studying?
A: If you are studying under the public policy exemption, you must stop studying when your work permit expires, your extension is refused or the policy expires (June 27, 2026) — whichever occurs first.

Q: Can I apply for a study permit while working?
A: Yes. You can apply to switch your status. Holding a work permit does not prevent you from applying for a study permit. You should carefully time this switch to avoid losing legal status.

Q: Will studying on a work permit affect my path to permanent residence?
A: Possibly. Some immigration programs count Canadian credentials; others value Canadian work experience. Studying while working may strengthen your profile, but you must ensure your activities remain compliant.

Q: Does studying while working affect my employer-specific work permit?
A: It could. If your permit requires you to only work for a certain employer, any study or change may trigger the need to update your permit or re-apply. Always review your permit conditions.

8. Key Take-aways for Foreign Workers in Canada

• Some work permit holders can study without a study permit — but only if their work permit application was on or before June 7, 2023.
• If your work permit is newer, you’ll likely need to apply for a study permit to enrol full-time.
• You must always check the conditions on your work permit and ensure your study does not conflict with those conditions.
• Studying while working can boost your skills, credentials and career prospects — but ensure you stay compliant and plan properly.
• If in doubt, seek advice from a regulated immigration consultant or the institution you plan to study at.