Can a foreign national hold a valid study/ work permit? Well, provided certain requirements are met, they can! 

Since work & study permits have different eligibility criteria & conditions, foreign nationals interested in possessing both permits simultaneously will have to comply with eligibility requirements for every permit individually. 

Moreover, while applying for both permits at once, candidates must be able to convince an immigration officer that they can work & study at the same time. 

According to IRCC, this can be accomplished by including a letter of explanation as part of the permit application. The letter of explanation proves how the applicant will work & study. 

Moreover, they must also provide details about how you will balance your work schedule with your studies. Online permit candidates are suggested to upload their letter of explanation in the Client information portion of their document checklist. 

Key Things To Know About Holding Two Permits 

Can a foreign national hold a valid study/ work permit? The answer is yes. 

While it is possible to apply for & hold two study permits simultaneously, some foreign nationals might be able to study in Canada without a study permit while holding a valid work permit. 

Moreover, holding two permits at once might significantly impact a newcomer’s eligibility for other programs, like the PGWP program.

Foreign Workers/ Nationals Who Can Study Without A Study Permit 

Specifically, some work permit holders in Canada might be eligible to study without a study permit in the case: 

  • They have a valid work permit, which was issued on or before June 7, 2023
  • They were issued a work authorization letter on or before June 7, 2023

Note: IRCC states that individuals waiting on a work permit extension decision can also use this letter. 

Possible Impact On Eligibility Of Other Programs 

Can a foreign national hold a valid study/ work permit? Yes! 

However, it affects the eligibility of other programs. Let us have a look at them!

  • Permanent Residence 

For individuals looking to apply for PR in Canada eventually, IRCC notes that work experience acquired while holding a study permit doesn’t count toward the work experience requirement for most PR programs. 

One critical example of an exception to the above statement is the eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. None of the three programs handled by the Express Entry application management system count work experience gained in Canada. At the same time, the candidate is a full-time student toward their CRS score. 

Note: CRS scores are used to rank Express Entry applicant profiles against one another before an Express Entry draw from IRCC. 

However, unlike the CEC & FSTP, the FSWP enables applicants to use Canadian work experience acquired while holding a study permit toward meeting the program’s minimum requirements & eligibility. 

It is essential to remember that minimum eligibility points are different from CRS scores. While this type of work experience may increase minimum eligibility points, it will not increase CRS scores. 

For an applicant’s work experience to count towards the FSWP’s minimum requirements, the work must: 

  • Have been full-time or part-time paid by wages/ commissions
  • Have been continuous for a minimum of one year
  • Meet all the other requirements of the program 

  • PGWP 

International/ foreign students planning to apply for a PGWP after their studies must make sure they continue to meet all PGWP program eligibility criteria while holding two permits at once. 

Most importantly, dual permit holders must ensure that they maintain full-time status during all semesters of their study program, even while working. 

Further Steps 

The process of holding two permits at once can be complex because of the different eligibility criteria for both permit types. Moreover, writing a convincing letter of explanation can be difficult, which is key to proving to IRCC that an applicant can work/ study in Canada simultaneously. 

For those seeking help & advice before pursuing two permits at once, an immigration lawyer can be very helpful with this process. Specifically, immigration lawyers are regulated professionals who can help immigrants/ newcomers with a variety of permit-related tasks, including: 

  • Helping newcomers accurately complete their applications
  • Interacting with the Canadian government on behalf of work/ study permit applicants 
  • Ensuring applicants avoid crucial mistakes during the permit process