Study Permit and Work Permit - Protected Person

[Sammy2345]

Hello everyone,


I hope you're all doing well. I've been researching this topic lately but have come across mixed information, so I’m hoping to get some clarification here.


I’m a protected person, and my case was accepted in November 2022. I submitted my PR application on July 6, 2023, and it’s currently in progress. Based on current processing times, I don’t expect to receive my PR until sometime next year.


Initially, I planned to start a trades foundation course in September 2025, after receiving my PR, since the estimated processing time was 23 months. However, I’m now considering enrolling in the September intake regardless of my PR status. The program is 9 months long, so I would need to apply for a study permit.


Currently, I hold a work permit and would like to continue working with my current employer while studying. This would allow me to accumulate apprenticeship hours toward my next trade level and help meet my financial needs.


My question is: as a protected person, is it possible to hold both a study permit and a work permit at the same time? Some websites suggest that it is, but I’m looking for confirmation. Or, if I get a study permit, would I be limited to working only 24 hours per week like international students?


Thank you very much in advance for your help!

 

[Gusmcr]

You're not an international student.
Their wp is linked to the sp.
Your have an unlimited hours open wp.

 

[Pehhlumi]

I’ve been in Canada since 2022 and received my Notice of Decision as a protected person in December 2022. I started school in Fall 2023 but didn’t know I needed a study permit since my school never asked for one.


Recently (October 2025), my school told me I must have a study permit to continue studying, so I applied from inside Canada right away using form IMM5709. My application was submitted on October 15, 2025, and it’s now being processed by IRCC.


I’m just worried if IRCC might punish me for studying without a permit before now, even though it was an honest mistake and I’ve always had legal status as a protected person.

 

[abff08f4813c]

My question is: as a protected person, is it possible to hold both a study permit and a work permit at the same time? Some websites suggest that it is, but I’m looking for confirmation. Or, if I get a study permit, would I be limited to working only 24 hours per week like international students?

You're not an international student.
Their wp is linked to the sp.
Your have an unlimited hours open wp.

This is exactly right. While for other situations, https://ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=934&top=25 explains that IEC work permits - which allow full time working - can be held with study permits at the same time.

Furthermore, https://ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=1618&top=15 clarifies that you'd need to provide a schedule to the IRCC officer as a supporting doc to show how you'd be able to study and work at the same time, to prove that you can do it. If you were going to be limited by the same hours as international students, this schedule wouldn't be necessary.

Now the only catch of course is that work experience gained while holding both types of permits won't count as Canadian work experience - but for a protected person this wouldn't matter as PR for a protected person doesn't have work experience as a requirement...

 

[abff08f4813c]

I’ve been in Canada since 2022 and received my Notice of Decision as a protected person in December 2022. I started school in Fall 2023 but didn’t know I needed a study permit since my school never asked for one.


Recently (October 2025), my school told me I must have a study permit to continue studying

Did the school say outright that you were out of compliance previous or something? If not - how do you know you needed a study permit back then?

You probably had a work permit applied for in 2022 or early 2023 - before June 7 specifically, and thus you were eligible under this public policy to study on that work permit without requiring a separate study permit, https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...tions/workers-study-without-study-permit.html

However probably that has expired and you've got a new one (or are renewing a new work permit) - the new one isn't eligible anymore under the policy hence why they've started asking for a study permit. But the point is, 2025 (or 2026?) is the first time that you're required to hold a study permit to study.

I’m just worried if IRCC might punish me for studying without a permit before now, even though it was an honest mistake and I’ve always had legal status as a protected person.

First I'd read the public policy and double check. Schools tend not to make mistakes of this nature - if you need a study permit, they will really make sure that they have proof that you have one before they'll let you enroll in classes.

However, even if you actually did make a mistake here I doubt you'd be penalized. International students who work a handful of hours beyond their limit often write Letters of Explanation acknowledging their mistake and promising never to do it again upfront, and have no issues getting PWGP and PR later. Your situation looks similar to me - an honest mistake that you'd never make again.