Trades Apprentices in Canada: Study without a study permit

If you are an apprentice looking to study in Canada without a study permit, as of February 26, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has permitted certain construction trades apprentices to study without acquiring a study permit. This policy is temporary and will last until February 26, 2027, so it is important to start now to qualify for the exemption.

Eligibility for the Study Permit Exemption

To qualify for the study permit exemption, you must have a registered apprenticeship agreement with the relevant provincial or territorial authority, a valid work permit, and must be employed in a construction occupation with a NOC code that is listed under eligible occupations indicated on the IRCC website.

Required Documents

If you want to take advantage of this exemption, you are required to provide several documents when applying, including proof of a valid work permit, proof of employment in an eligible construction occupation indicated above, and proof of a registered apprenticeship agreement. It is important to note that additional documents may be required depending on your situation.

Application Approval

If your request is approved, you will receive an authorization letter. This letter will allow you to study without needing a study permit and will remain valid until either your work permit expires, as indicated on the letter, or until the policy expires on February 26, 2027, whichever comes first. Once you have the letter, you need to provide it as proof to your school which shows them that you’re authorized to study without a study permit.

It is important to note that you must discuss and agree to any changes with your employer regarding the conditions of your employment listed in your contract. This can include limiting the number of hours you work to make time to study. The government does not and will not get involved in these discussions, so it is important to discuss it solely with your employer.

Application Refusals

If your request for a study permit exemption is refused, IRCC will notify you with a letter in the mail. In the case that you do get rejected, you may still be able to study in Canada, however you must apply for a regular study permit if you wish to do so, which we happily assist with at Canadim as well.

If you are an eligible trades apprentice and are looking to increase your knowledge with an additional degree, this is the opportunity to do so. Should you require guidance and would like to have an immigration representant that specializes in these types of applications, please contact us and we can further guide you.

Contact us today to take advantage of this opportunity, assess your eligibility, and get started on your study visa exemption application!