Canada has revised its study permit policy in a move that could significantly affect Nigerian students planning to study abroad, particularly those required to complete preparatory courses before starting their main academic programmes.
According to updated guidance released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), international students who must first undertake pre-degree, bridging, or language training programmes will now receive study permits valid only for the duration of the preparatory course plus an additional 90 days.
This development is especially relevant to many Nigerian students who are often required to complete English language training or foundation programmes before commencing full degree studies in Canada. Under the new rule, a Nigerian student admitted into a four-year degree programme but required to complete a four-month English course will be granted a study permit covering the four months and an extra 90 days.
After completing the prerequisite programme, the student must apply for a fresh study permit to proceed with the main academic course. If the application is submitted from within Canada, the student may continue studying under maintained status while awaiting a decision.
The immigration department also clarified that a study permit is mandatory for prerequisite studies even when the course lasts less than six months, provided it is a compulsory requirement for admission into a longer academic programme. This clarification is crucial for Nigerian applicants who previously assumed that short language courses might not require full permit documentation.
Previously, students in preparatory programmes were granted study permits valid for the length of the course plus an additional 12 months. That longer window allowed them ample time to secure admission into their primary programme and apply for a new permit without disruption. The revised 90-day extension significantly shortens this transition period, meaning Nigerian students must now plan their admission timelines more carefully to avoid gaps in their legal status.
The updated guidance also outlines conditions under which students already in Canada may apply for a study permit from within the country, including those holding valid study or work permits, spouses or dependents of permit holders, exchange students, temporary resident permit holders, permanent residence applicants, and refugee claimants.
The changes form part of broader immigration reforms as Canada continues to recalibrate its immigration framework. Authorities recently introduced five priority talent categories under a revamped 2026 Express Entry system targeting highly skilled workers, including foreign medical doctors with Canadian experience, researchers, transport professionals, skilled military recruits, and candidates in healthcare, social services, skilled trades, and French-language proficiency.
For Nigerian students, who remain among the largest groups of African applicants to Canadian institutions, the revised study permit timeline underscores the need for early preparation, prompt documentation, and timely applications to ensure a smooth transition into their primary academic programmes.
