As of September 4, 2026, IRCC introduced a temporary public policy which allows certain work permit holders to study without a study permit for 6 months or less.
If you have a valid work permit, IRCC may email you a message with the following subject line:
“You are eligible to study without a study permit | Vous êtes admissible à étudier sans permis d’études”
Please note that this message is being sent to all work permit holders automatically. It is not a confirmation from IRCC that you may study without a study permit. The policy is meant to benefit those whose primary status in Canada is as a work permit holder.
Typically, this policy would apply to workers already in Canada who are upgrading their skills, obtaining new credentials or professional licensing, and advancing into higher-skilled occupations. Most of these types of programs would be less than 6 months in length or fully online. More information on who this policy is targeting can be found here.
This public policy does not likely apply to your situation. For degree studies at UWaterloo, you must have a valid study permit while studying in Canada, as our degree programs are over 6 months in length. If you have questions, please connect with our team.