Co-op Work Permit No Longer Required
- 10 hours ago
- 3 min read
Stop waiting for your co-op work permit, you might not even need it anymore.
In a major move to slash administrative hurdle, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially flipped the script. As of April 1, 2026, the requirement to apply for a separate co-op work permit has been scrapped for eligible post-secondary students.
If you are in Canada to study and your program requires an internship, the path from the classroom to the office just got a whole lot shorter.
The Big Shift: "One Program, One Permit"
For years, the "study permit first, work permit second" step was a source of stress and processing delays. Ottawa’s new policy simplifies the math: One Study Program = One Permit.
What exactly is a "Student Work Placement"?
These are experiences required for your study program and approved by your Designated Learning Institution (DLI). This includes:
Co-op placements
Internships
Practicums
Mentorship programs
Note: This only applies to students at Canadian DLIs; it does not cover students at schools outside of Canada.
Who is Eligible?
To benefit from this streamlined process, you must be a full-time post-secondary student and meet these conditions:
Program Requirements: Your program must be at least 6 months long and lead to a degree, diploma, or certificate.
The 50% Rule: The work placement cannot total more than 50% of your entire study program.
DLI Confirmation: You must have a letter from your school confirming the placement is a mandatory requirement for all students in your program.
Valid Permit Status: You must hold a valid study permit (or have applied for an extension before expiry).
Permit Conditions: Your study permit must have conditions printed on it stating you are allowed to work on or off campus (e.g., “May accept employment on or off campus...”).
Who is NOT Eligible?
You still need a separate work permit if you are taking:
English or French as a Second Language (ESL/FSL) courses.
General interest or preparatory courses.
Secondary school programs (Secondary students still require a co-op work permit).
Navigating the Paperwork: SIN and Permit Conditions
To start working, you’ll need a Social Insurance Number (SIN). To get one, your study permit must explicitly mention your authorization to work.
Missing Conditions? If you are eligible but your permit doesn't have the work conditions printed on it, you can request an amendment from IRCC. There is no fee for this.
Applying for a SIN: Once your permit is correct, apply online via Service Canada. It’s the fastest way to get your 9-digit number.
FAQs: Hours, Employers, and Pending Apps
How many hours can I work?
Unlike off-campus work limits (24 hours/week), there is no weekly hour limit for required student work placements, provided the placement stays under 50% of your total program length.
Who can I work for?
You can work for any employer approved by your school’s placement program, whether they are on or off campus.
What if I already applied for a co-op permit?,
If your application is still pending, you don't need to stress. IRCC will likely withdraw it automatically and send you a letter explaining that the permit is no longer necessary.
Canada is moving toward a "frictionless" system for international talent. By removing the co-op work permit bottleneck, IRCC is ensuring you spend less time refreshing your application status and more time gaining the Canadian work experience you came here for.
Have you received an admission offer or are you looking to start the school admission process? Contact us today - Email: ask@infoplacecanada.ca or Phone: +1-519-900-0199 to get started with your application process.
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