International students taking prerequisites will be issued shorter study permits under new rules

International students arriving in Canada to complete prerequisite courses prior to starting longer programs will now be issued shorter study permits.

Under the old rules, officers were instructed to issue a study permit for a period equal to the length of the prerequisite course(s) plus one year.

Now, a study permit is to be issued for only 90 days beyond the length of the prerequisite course(s), according to updated instructions to officers published on the immigration department’s website on February 19, 2026.

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Example (ESL prerequisite → four-year program)

Celina Lavange is conditionally accepted to a four-year bachelor’s program at a designated learning institution (DLI).

Her acceptance is conditional on completing four-month English as a second language (ESL) course, which runs from May 6, 2026 to September 6, 2026.

Celina applies for a study permit prior to travelling to Canada, and upon arriving at a port of entry, is issued a study permit valid through to December 5, 2026 (September 6 + 90 days).

She completes her ESL program in September, then from within Canada submits another study permit application for her bachelor’s program.

As she is within Canada, Celina will benefit from maintained status, meaning that she may continue studying under the conditions of her existing permit while her new study permit application is being processed.

Although studying for less than six months generally does not require a study permit, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) advises foreign nationals to apply for a study permit if they are completing prerequisite(s) in preparation for enrollment in a longer program of study, even if the prerequisite(s) are less than six months in duration.

If Celina had not applied for the initial study permit for four months of ESL study, she would not be allowed to apply for a study permit from within Canada (unless she were to meet another exemption).

Other instances where you can apply for a study permit from within Canada include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Possessing a valid study permit or work permit;
• Being the spouse or common-law partner of a worker or student in Canada on a valid permit;
• Being an exchange student or visiting student;
• You, your spouse or common-law partner, or dependent child possessing a temporary resident permit with a validity period of six months or more;
• Being sponsored and having already submitted a permanent residence application; and
• Being a refugee claimant in Canada (or the family member of one).

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