Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially updated its regulations on study and work permits for foreign students.
As of April 1, 2026, foreign students in Canada no longer need separate study and work permits to participate in mandatory work placements, such as co-ops or internships.
This policy shift is designed to eliminate the administrative “double-handling” that previously required students to wait for two different documents before they could begin their practical training.
Previously, foreign students enrolled in programs with a work-integrated learning component had to apply for a standard study permit and then submit a secondary application for a co-op work permit.
This often led to delays, with some students unable to start their internships on time due to processing backlogs.
By ensuring foreign students in Canada no longer need separate study and work permits for these placements, the government is allowing students to use their primary study permit as authorization for any work required by their academic curriculum.
The IRCC clarified that this change applies specifically to post-secondary students at Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs).
In a statement, IRCC said, “The goal is to cut administrative burden and operational inefficiency that comes from requiring foreign nationals to hold two permits to complete one educational programme.”
To be eligible to carry out any such work-integrated learning with only a study permit, the work placement must be a requirement of the study programme. The updated IRCC guidance says that eligible students must meet all of the following conditions:
- “You have conditions printed on your initial study permit that say you’re allowed to work on campus.
- You have a letter from your DLI [Designated Learning Institution] that confirms the work placement is a requirement of your study program.
- You have a valid study permit or you applied to extend your study permit before it expired.
- You’re a full-time student at a DLI.
- Your study programme is at least 6 months long, at a post-secondary level, and leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate.
- The work placement of your study programme totals 50% or less of your study programme.”
In addition to those immediate changes around co-op of other work placements, IRCC has also proposed a series of amendments to rules around post-graduation work permits (PGWP).
Most notable among these is a proposal, for which consultations will be ongoing for the next month or two, that would allow international students to work without a work permit in cases where:
• An international student is waiting for a decision on a study permit extension
• An international graduate is awaiting a decision on an application for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).
In addition, the government is planning further adjustments, although these are not yet final. For example, it wants to allow students and graduates to keep working while waiting for decisions on their permits. This would reduce uncertainty and stress during waiting periods.
At the same time, however, Canada is also trying to reduce the total number of temporary residents, including international students and foreign workers. So, while the process is becoming easier for those already in the system, fewer people may be allowed into the country overall.
Although the rules are becoming simpler and more flexible, the competition to enter and stay in Canada may still increase.
The reforms could reduce the number of applications required from international students and provide greater stability, particularly for those facing delays between permit expiry and renewal decisions. Graduates, for instance, are currently allowed to work full-time while awaiting a PGWP decision, provided they meet certain conditions, including applying before their study permit expires.
Consultations with provinces, territories, and education stakeholders are expected to take place in spring 2026, although no timeline has been announced for the implementation of the remaining proposals.
The policy shift comes amid a broader effort by the Canadian government to reduce its temporary resident population. Recent IRCC data shows a continued decline in new arrivals of both international students and foreign workers. In January 2026, total arrivals fell by 28 percent compared to the same period in 2025.
IRCC stated that the government aims to reduce the temporary resident population to less than five percent of Canada’s total population, down from 7.4 percent recorded in October 2024.
