The co-op work permit

International students pursuing programmes in Canada that require a co-op placement or work placement may apply for a co-op work permit.

Overview

International students pursuing a programme at aDesignated Learning Institution in Canada (DLI)in Canada that requires a mandatory work placement or internship must apply for a co-op work permit in addition to aCanadian study permit.

The co-op work permit is a separate work permit, unrelated to the part-time work rights usually included with a Canadian study permit. It is important to note that an individual applying for a co-op work permit must hold a valid study permit.

A co-op work permit may be used only for work that is essential to the programme of study. Any other work an international student does — including a placement or internship at an organisation unconnected with the institution that carries no credit towards the programme — falls under the work rights attached to the study permit.

Any international student unsure whether they need a co-op work permit is encouraged to consult their programme adviser.

Essential work experience

Work experience is treated as essential to a programme of study where it is undertaken for programme credit and is a requirement for the international student to graduate.

International students doing work, paid or unpaid, in order to graduate from a programme need a co-op work permit.

Authorisation from the institution is required in order to obtain a co-op work permit and begin the mandatory work experience.

Such work experience must not account for more than half of the programme of study. Work experience essential to a programme of study is treated as including, but not limited to:

• Field work.
• Clinical work.
• Practicums.
• Volunteer work.
• Internships, paid or unpaid.

Eligibility

International students may be eligible to apply for a co-op work permit where they:

• Hold a valid study permit.
• Are studying on a programme requiring a mandatory work placement for programme credit.
• Hold a letter from the institution authorising the work placement and confirming that it is mandatory for the programme of study.

Further documents may be required for the application, depending on the applicant’s circumstances. Once an international student has the necessary documents, they may apply for a co-op work permit

Details

• A co-op work permit allows the holder to work up to full time during term, depending on the conditions of the work placement authorised by the DLI.
• A co-op work permit is required whether or not the mandatory work placement is paid.
• International students may use a co-op work permit and the standard work rights granted to Canadian study permit holders at the same time. This means an international student may hold a job unrelated to their programme of study while also working in the mandatory work placement.
• A co-op work permit is a closed work permit, meaning it may be used only for one job and one employer. The employer named on the permit document is the institution authorising the co-op placement.
• A co-op work permit is also issued for a specific period as authorised by the student’s co-op placement co-ordinator. This usually coincides with the validity of the study permit.
• There is no application fee for a co-op work permit.

A co-op work permit application may be submitted at the same time as the study permit application, or as soon as the international student has the necessary documents set out above. An international student may apply for a co-op work permit later in their programme.

Given processing times, however, it is recommended that anyone enrolling on a programme requiring a mandatory work placement applies for a co-op work permit well before the placement’s expected start date, as students cannot begin a placement without a co-op work permit. Applications may be submitted online or by post.

Find out more about co-op work permits on the Government of Canada website athere.