On June 27, 2023, the Immigration Minister of Canada, Sean Fraser, declared a new temporary measure that will offer more flexibility for work permit holders to study in Canada. The new measure/ criterion will withdraw the limit on the study program length so that temporary international workers can enroll in it even without a study permit.
Through this measure, IRCC recognizes that international workers can face barriers in the study programs they are allowed to pursue in order to get additional training & education, which will help them build their careers.
Before this change, international workers could study while working, but only in programs of six months or less. In addition, they would have to apply for a separate study permit if they wanted to enroll in a more extensive program. Well, this has been a hurdle as there is no flexibility for work permit holders who wish to improve their education & receive more training.
The new temporary measure that offers flexibility for work permit holders will last for three years. In addition, international workers will be able to study full or part-time while holding a valid work permit with no restrictions on the program’s length.
Moreover, the temporary measure will apply to those who hold a valid work permit or have pending a decision on a work permit extension on June 27. However, if an international worker wishes to study longer than the duration of their work permit, then they must apply for a study permit.
This measure will help international workers to expand their future job prospects. In addition, it will also offer them numerous opportunities to transition to permanent residence by increasing their CRS via higher education levels or gaining qualified work experience.
Sean Fraser asserted that this policy would provide more flexibility for work permit holders. It will empower international workers to enhance their skills to meet career goals & achieve their dreams while being a potential source of talent to the labor market. He further said that by removing barriers to skills development, we open doors to more internationally-trained doctors & nurses to help take care of our loved ones & support the overall healthcare system. Finally, he stated that this measure would offer a path for construction laborers to become tradespersons, thus strengthening the communities & building new homes. Therefore, this measure helps the Canadian economy, workers, & employers by addressing critical labor shortages.