Regulation 211 — Study without a permit
Text of provision
A foreign national is a student and a member of the student class if the foreign national has been authorized to enter and remain in Canada as a student.
Plain English
Regulation 211 provides that a foreign national may study in Canada without a study permit if: they are authorised under a work permit to study as part of the conditions of their work; they are a minor child in Canada studying at a pre-school, primary, or secondary level; or they are taking a course of study for personal enrichment of less than six months that does not lead to a credential.
Practical effect
The six-month short-term study exemption is the most commonly relied-upon provision in r 211. Visitors in Canada may take short courses of less than six months (e.g., language schools, professional development courses) without a study permit. The key limitation is the six-month cap and the requirement that the course not lead to a credential. Longer programs or credential-bearing programs require a study permit regardless of duration. The exemption does not permit concurrent on-campus work rights — those require a study permit.