Canada has introduced new rules that provide shorter study permits to international students who come to complete required courses before starting their main program.
International students who travel to Canada to complete prerequisite courses before starting a longer academic program will now receive shorter study permits under updated federal rules.
Immigration officials published new instructions on February 19, 2026. The changes affect students who must first complete courses such as English or other academic requirements before beginning their main program.
Under the previous system, immigration officers issued a study permit that covered the length of the prerequisite course plus an additional year. This extra time gave students flexibility before they moved into their full program.
Under the new policy, officers will now issue a study permit that extends only 90 days beyond the end date of the prerequisite course. The extra one-year buffer no longer applies.
This means students must plan carefully and apply for a new study permit sooner if they wish to continue their education in Canada.
Consider the case of Celina Lavange. She received conditional acceptance into a four-year bachelor’s degree at a designated learning institution. Her admission required her to complete a four-month English as a Second Language (ESL) course first.
Her ESL program runs from May 6, 2026 to September 6, 2026. Celina applied for a study permit before coming to Canada. When she arrived, officers issued her a permit valid until December 5, 2026. This date reflects the end of her ESL course plus 90 days.
After completing her ESL studies in September, Celina submitted a new study permit application from within Canada for her four-year degree.
Because she applied while still in Canada and before her current permit expired, she benefits from maintained status. This allows her to continue studying under the conditions of her existing permit while officials review her new application.
In many cases, students do not need a study permit for programs shorter than six months. However, immigration authorities advise students to apply for a permit if they plan to complete prerequisite courses before entering a longer program.
Without an initial study permit, students may not qualify to apply for a new permit from inside Canada unless they meet another exemption. This could require them to leave the country and apply again from abroad.
Several groups can submit study permit applications while inside Canada. These include:
The new rule places greater responsibility on international students to track timelines and submit applications on time. Those planning to begin studies in Canada should review the updated requirements carefully to avoid interruptions in their education.
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