Canadian Apprenticeships – No Study Permit Needed for Some Foreign Workers
Some foreign workers in Canada can now join apprenticeship programmes without needing a study permit.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has shared details about this new rule.
Who Can Apply?
To take part without a study permit, you must:
- Have a valid work permit;
- Have a job offer in one of the approved construction jobs; and
- Have an official apprenticeship agreement with your employer for that job.
The apprenticeship agreement must be registered with the right province or territory. You also need to meet all the requirements both when you apply and when a decision is made.
This new rule started on 26 February 2025 and will last until 26 February 2027.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced the change on 7 March 2025 in Woodbridge, Ontario.
Which Jobs Count?
This applies only to certain construction jobs that are currently in high demand. Here are some of the eligible jobs:
- Bricklayers
- Cabinetmakers
- Carpenters
- Civil Engineers and Technicians
- Concrete Finishers
- Construction Estimators and Managers
- Electricians (including industrial and home)
- Floor Covering Installers
- HVAC Mechanics (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning)
- Heavy Equipment Mechanics
- Painters and Decorators
- Plumbers
- Roofers and Shinglers
- Sheet Metal Workers
- Welders
- And more…
Important: What matters is the NOC code, not just your job title.
You can check your job’s NOC code by comparing your job duties with the official description on the Government of Canada’s website. If at least half your duties match, you can count it as that occupation.
Why This Change?
Canada needs more construction workers to help deal with the country’s housing shortage.
Usually, apprentices need both a work permit and a study permit. With this new rule, eligible foreign workers can do both without needing the extra paperwork for a study permit. This makes it easier to move between work and study while in an apprenticeship.
