Study With A Work Permit

It depends. Effective June 27, 2023, IRCC implemented a new temporary public policy measure that allows eligible workers to study in Canada without a study permit. Immigration Quebec is also exempting these eligible workers from the requirement to hold a CAQ.

Who is eligible to benefit from this temporary public policy measure?

To be eligible to study at McGill without a CAQ or study permit under this temporary public policy, you must be authorized to work in Canada with either of the following:

• You hold a valid work permit (initial or extension) that was issued on or before June 7, 2023; or
• You hold a valid work permit (initial or extension) that you applied for on or before June 7, 2023; or
• You hold a letter authorizing you to work while we process your work permit extension application that was submitted on or before June 7, 2023

Who is not eligible to benefit from this temporary public policy measure?

Anyone who applied for their work permit (initial or extension) after June 7, 2023, is not eligible to benefit from this temporary public policy measure.

Things to Consider:

• If you elect to study at McGill without a study permit under this temporary public policy, you will not be eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit. You must have a study permit and study full-time to be eligible for the PGWP.
• If you elect to study at McGill without a CAQ and study permit under this temporary public policy, you are not required to be enrolled on a full-time basis. However, please note that departmental policies may still require full-time enrollment as a condition of your program.
• If you’re a worker who is studying full time and considering applying for Permanent Residency, your work experience will not count toward your eligibility for the Canada Experience Class or for gaining Canadian work experience points under the Express Entry’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
• If you’re a worker who is studying full time and considering applying for Permanent Residency, your full-time studies will count toward the Federal Skilled Worker Program adaptability and Express Entry CRS points, but only if you study at a designated learning institution (DLI) that offers PGWP-eligible programs, which McGill is and does.

NOTE: This public policy is in effect until June 27, 2026 and may be revoked at any time, without prior notice. For more details, please visit the Immigration Canada and Immigration Quebec websites.

1. If you meet the eligibility requirements of this temporary policy and you have a valid work permit that you applied for on or before June 7, 2023, you can study without a CAQ and study permit until the earliest of the two following dates:
   1. the expiry date on your work permit; OR
   2. June 27, 2026 (the date IRCC’s temporary public policy expires)
2. If you meet the eligibility requirements of this temporary policy, and you had a work permit extension application in progress on June 7, 2023, you can study without a CAQ and study permit until the earliest of the three following dates:
   1. the expiry date on your approved work permit extension;
   2. the date your work permit extension application is refused (if applicable); OR
   3. June 27, 2026 (the date this temporary public policy expires.

You will need to apply for a CAQ and apply for a study permit if:

• Your courses, degree or program length will extend beyond the validity of your current work permit (to cover the period you will be studying after its expiry); or
• Your work permit extension application is refused.