If you are student in Canada and your study program requires you to work as intern or as co-op placement, then you need to have co-op work permit. This work permit allows you to work full time during the tenure of your study program.

Eligibility

Some study programs include work experience as part of their curriculum. You can apply for a co-op or intern work permit if:

• you have a valid study permit
• work is required to complete your study program in Canada
• you have a letter from your school that confirms all students in your program need to complete work placements to get their degree, and
• your co-op placement or internship totals 50% or less of your study program

COVID-19 and co-op placements

During the COVID-19 outbreak, many international students are studying online from abroad. If your school and employer agree, you can either

• accept a Canadian work placement and begin working remotely from your home country
• work for a company in your home country

If you’re working remotely from outside Canada, you can work while we process your study permit and co-op work permit applications.

Who’s not eligible

You aren’t eligible for a co-op work permit if you’re taking one of the following:

• English or French as a second language (ESL/FSL),
• general interest courses, or
• courses to prepare for another study program.

If you’re not eligible for a co-op work permit, but you want to work in Canada, you need to apply for a work permit.

How to apply

How you apply for a co-op work permit depends on if you already applied for your study permit or not. Answer a few questions to get your instructions.

How applying online helps you

• No courier fees or mail delivery time – we get your application instantly.
• Your applications may be processed more quickly.
• It helps you make sure your application is complete before you submit it.
• You can quickly submit more documents online (if we ask you to).
• You get updates on the status of your application directly in your online account.