Co-op Work Permit

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As an international student, you havemany opportunities to gain valuable work experience while completing your degree.

If you are in aco-op program, you must receive yourco-op work permitprior to undertaking employment atyour first work placement in Canada. It is important to maintain your co-op work permit status during all of your co-op work terms.

If you are not issued a co-op work permit upon your entry to Canada, you can apply for a co-op work permit once you are in Canada. You should apply as soon as possible to ensure you have the co-op work permit before beginning your co-op work terms.

For frequently asked questions about co-op work permits and Co-operative Education’s policies, refer to their website here.

If you would like information about working on or off campus part-time, during breaks and/or off terms, review ourworking in Canada page.

If you have any concerns about the conditions or remarks on your co-op work permit,𲹲 speak with one of our immigration consultants. For information, regarding finding a co-op position and the ݮƵ co-op experience, contactCo-operative Education(CE).

Our team of Immigration Consultants is here to help you with your application! Please book an appointment with our team for an application review to not risk a refusal on your application. You can book a same day appointment on or contact us via webform requesting an appointment.

How to apply within Canada

BEFORE YOU START THE APPLICATION

Key points:

  • A co-op work permit is required for all work placements in Canada that are degree requirements, regardless if they're called a co-op, internship, practicum, capstone, milestone, or applied research project; paid orunpaid, andon campus oroff campus.
  • A validstudy permitis required to apply for a co-op work permit unlessboth permits are being applied for or extended together.
  • A Social Insurance Number is also required for all work in Canada.
  • You don't need a job offer to apply for the co-op work permit.
  • You cannot use your co-op work permit for work that is not degree-required.
  • Approved co-op work permits are mailed to the Canadian mailing address that you provide in the application form.
  • The co-op work permit application is free.
  • If you apply foran extensionbefore your current study permit and co-op permitexpires, you will have.Maintained status allows you to continue studying and/or working at your co-op job in Canada until a decision is made on your application, as long as you remain in Canada. Please note: If you leave Canada while your application is being processedbut after your permits are expired, then you will lose your maintained status and must wait until you receive the approval of your permits before resuming any studies and/or co-op work in Canada.
  • University of ݮƵ is listed as the employer on co-op work permits to indicate you can work for any employer that the University approves as a degree-required work placement.
  • You can checkon the IRCC website.

HOW TO START AN ONLINE APPLICATION
  1. Go to theGovernment of Canada’s websiteand create/sign into.
  2. Under 'start an application' in your online account, select 'apply to come to Canada'.
  3. Under 'determine your eligibility and apply online',select ‘visitor visa, study and/or work permit’, and answer the eligibility questions to generate the document checklist.

Watch our videos to haveone of our immigration consultantswalkyou through the application process and required documents.

If you need to extend both your study permit and co-op work permit, reviewthe.

DOCUMENT CHECKLIST
  1. Application form IMM5710​​
    • You need to download the form from your online document checklist and open it with Adobe Acrobat Reader.If you don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can.
    • Please use this IMM 5710 form template containing additional instructions on how to complete specific sections.
    • The application form is not signed when applying online.Make sure you re-validate and re-save the form after making any changes.
    • We recommend including an alternative secure mailing address if youare going to be moving from your current residential address withinsixmonths following yourapplication submission or if youhave issues receiving mail at your current address.If you are looking for a secure mailing address, please scroll to the bottom of this webpage for details on how to have your permit(s) sent to the International Experience Centre (IEC) in Needles Hall.

  2. Graduate students: Request a co-op letter in ݮƵWorks by following the instructions below ifyou are a graduate student in Economics, Econ Water, English, Political Science (MA/PhD), Public Service, Sociology, Architecture, ECE, MASc, MMSc, MEng (Chem. Eng.), Applied Math, Computational Math, Computer Science, or MDSAI, or unless otherwise informed by your department that your program is a co-op program. See theCo-operative and Experiental Education (CEE) website for a list of supported graduate programs.

    1. Log into 

    2. Select 'Submit a form'

    3. Under 'Category', select 'International'

    4. Select 'Letter of support’ - Canadian co-op work permit application/extension for international visa students' under 'Sub-category'

    5. Read the instructions, answer the questions under 'Details', then click 'Submit'

    6. Graduate student in any other program: request a university-producedproof of enrollment letterwith co-op letter statements from The Centre

  3. Undergraduate Students: Use a proof of enrolment letter. If you are in a co-op program, then a co-op statement will be added to your enrolment letter. If there is inconsistent information on your self-serve enrolment letter, you can order a modified proof of enrolment letter instead.

  4. Passport scans

    • Include the biographical page and all pages thatinclude content from Canada or another country: e.g. stamps, visas, or markings.

    • Include your current study permit and co-op work permit (if applicable).

    • If you have renewed a passport since beginning your studies in Canada, include the past passport(s) with the newest passport first in the file.

    • All images will need to be merged into 1 file which must be less than 4MB.

  5. taken in the last sixmonths that meets the requirements.
  6. Proof of
    • A medical exam is required if you were outside of Canadain one or more ofin the last yearfor a minimum of sixmonthsor if you want to workinoneof the.
  7. Schedule 1 (only if you answered the IMM5710Background Information questions 3-6 with yes)
  8. Letter of explanationor anyadditional documents (if applicable)
  9. Biometrics
    • Biometrics collection is required for in-Canada temporary residence applications, if you have not completed biometrics in the past.
    • If you have not provided  before, you will need to select“no”when answering the questionnaire question regarding biometrics and pay the $85 biometrics fee. After submitting your application, you will receive a Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL) in your online IRCC account with further information on how and where to provide your biometrics
    • If you have provided biometrics to Canada in the past, use the  to find out if your biometrics are still valid.
    • NOTE: although biometrics arevalid for 10 years, and although you had completed biometrics in the past, if the status tool indicates that your biometrics are NOT valid, we recommend that you still select “no” when answering the questionnaire question regarding biometrics and pay the $85 fee for biometrics and complete biometrics for your application.
    • Your status documents will not be issued beyond a biometrics expiry date. If your biometrics areexpiring in the near future, and the biometrics validity does not encompass the full duration of your temporary residence application, we recommend that you still pay for biometrics and complete biometrics for your application.
    • Please book an appointment with us for assistance!

IRCCcan ask for any other documents throughout the application process.

Looking for a secure address to send your co-op work permit to?

You can use the International Experience Centre (IEC) as an alternative secure mailing address. We recommend this if you plan to move from your current residential address within six months following your application submission or if you have issues receiving mail at your current address.

Complete this webform to notify IEC staff that you plan to have permit(s) mailed to us.

By using the IEC's mailing address in your application, you automatically consent to allowing IEC staff to open any mail received on your behalf.

Please note that the IEC is not responsible for any lost mail.

Enter your name as it will appear on your documents.
Enter your University of ݮƵ student identification number.

If your spouse/common-law partner or dependent children (under the age of 22) are included in your in-Canada application, please provide their full names and birthdates here.

 

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