International students travelling to Canada to complete prerequisite courses before starting a longer academic program will now receive shorter study permits under updated federal instructions.
On February 19, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada updated its operational guidance to officers, changing how study permits are issued for students completing prerequisite programs.
What Has Changed?
Under the previous policy, immigration officers were instructed to issue a study permit covering:
- The full length of the prerequisite course(s), plus
- An additional one year
Under the new rules, study permits will now be issued for:
- The duration of the prerequisite course(s), plus
- Only 90 additional days
This marks a significant reduction in the validity period of study permits for students completing prerequisite requirements such as English or academic upgrading courses.
Example: ESL Prerequisite Before a Bachelor’s Degree
To better understand how this works, consider the following example.
A student is conditionally accepted into a four-year bachelor’s program at a designated learning institution. However, admission is contingent upon completing a four-month English as a Second Language (ESL) program running from May 6, 2026, to September 6, 2026.
Under the new policy:
- The study permit would be issued until December 5, 2026 (September 6 plus 90 days).
- After completing the ESL program, the student must apply from within Canada for a new study permit covering the full bachelor’s degree program.
Because the student applies from within Canada before the initial permit expires, they benefit from maintained status. This allows them to continue studying under the same conditions while waiting for a decision on the new study permit.
Why Applying for a Study Permit Still Matters
Even though programs shorter than six months generally do not require a study permit, IRCC advises international students to apply for one if the prerequisite course is required before entering a longer program.
Failing to obtain the initial study permit could prevent the student from applying for a new study permit from within Canada, unless they qualify under another exemption.
This is an important compliance consideration for students planning to transition from short-term prerequisite courses into full academic programs.
Who Can Apply for a Study Permit from Within Canada?
In addition to students completing prerequisites, the following individuals may apply for a study permit from within Canada:
- Individuals holding a valid study permit or work permit
- Spouses or common-law partners of workers or students with valid status
- Exchange students or visiting students
- Individuals (or their spouse, partner, or dependent child) holding a temporary resident permit valid for six months or more
- Applicants sponsored for permanent residence who have already submitted a PR application
- Refugee claimants in Canada and their family members
What This Means for International Students
This update tightens the timeline for students entering Canada through conditional admissions. Students must now carefully plan:
- The expiration date of their initial study permit
- The timing of their follow-up study permit application
- Their compliance with maintained status rules
International students should ensure they submit their second study permit application before their initial permit expires to avoid losing status.
With these new rules in effect, proper planning and timely applications are essential for a smooth transition from prerequisite studies to full-time academic programs in Canada.
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