Study Permits Now Allowed for Protected Persons in Canada 2025

IRCC has updated its guidance on who is allowed to apply for a Study Permit from within Canada. This time they clarified a group that is often misunderstood.

From now on:

Protected persons in Canada and their accompanying family members
→ are eligible to apply for a Study Permit from inside Canada
→ do not need to submit a PR application first
→ do not need their PR to be “in process” before applying.

Who is considered a “protected person”?

In the Vietnamese immigration context, this usually refers to:

• Individuals whose refugee claims have been accepted by Canada
  • Individuals recognized as needing protection
  • Individuals allowed to remain in Canada because returning home would put them at risk
  • Accompanying family members in Canada such as spouses or children

In short, if Canada has granted you protection, you count.

Benefits for protected persons

• No more requirement to submit PR first before applying for a Study Permit
  • They can begin studying immediately and stabilise their life in Canada more quickly
  • Reduced administrative barriers and shorter waiting times

Why IRCC needed to update this

Previous guidance was unclear. IRCC officers and applicants often interpreted the rule differently. The update prevents disputes and ensures that vulnerable individuals do not lose educational opportunities due to administrative confusion.