Foreign workers in Canada will now be able to study more

This week, the Canadian government announced that foreigners who are authorized to work in the country will be able to receive long-term education. The decision will allow foreign workers to improve their skills, gain new knowledge and additional training, and help those who need to take certain training programs to prove their foreign credentials. This measure will be in effect until June 27, 2026.

Previously, foreign nationals with a work permit in Canada could study at the same time as a professional, but only if the study period was no longer than 6 months. If someone wanted to enroll in a longer study program, they had to apply for a separate study permit. Such an application could take months or even years to process.

Workers who come to Canada from other countries will now be able to take full-time and part-time classes as long as they have a valid work permit or until June 27, 2026.

Also, this new government measure will make a difference for Express Entry candidates.

Currently, international workers or students who are full-time students combining work and study were not able to report this work experience on their application for permanent residency through the Canadian Experience Class system of Express Entry. Now, applicants will be able to increase their CRS score on their application. More points can be obtained through a higher level of education or better English and French language skills, as well as through qualifying work experience while studying as a part-time student.

Who will be able to benefit from these new measures? People who currently have a valid work permit or who have applied to extend their permit through June 7. It is also available to workers who received a letter before June 7 allowing them to work while their application to renew their work permit is pending. Those who applied for a work permit after June 7, on the other hand, will not be eligible for extended study permit.