Less red tape for students in CO-OP programs in Canada

Effective April 1, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) eliminated the requirement to apply for a self-employed work permit to participate in professional internships, CO-OP programs, or mandatory internships.

This measure will save international students enrolled in a postsecondary education program in Canada a great deal of time and red tape.

What details about this change should you know going forward? Read to the end and take note of this valuable information.

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What changes with the elimination of the CO-OP Work Permit?

Effective April 1, 2026, if your postsecondary program requires work experience, your study permit is now sufficient to work in your CO-OP program.

Before this change, international students had to apply for a CO-OP Work Permit to complete the practical component of their program; now that this requirement has been eliminated, it has led to positive outcomes.

• They no longer need additional permission. 
• They can do their internships/Student Work Placement directly.
• There is less red tape, and it is no longer necessary to apply for two permits for the same academic program.

Clarification: This change does NOT increase working hours or alter immigration numbers, nor is it eliminating the CO-OP or the PGWP. It simply eliminates an administrative step (the CO-OP work permit) for the student’s benefit.

In conclusion, students will be able to begin their CO-OP or internship as soon as their educational institution authorizes it, without having to wait for a second work permit to be processed.

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What is a Student Work Permit Placement?

This is a required assignment as part of your program:

• CO-OP
• Internship
• Practicum
• Mentorship

Requirements:

The applicant must:

• Be a full-time student.
• Have a valid student visa.
• Be enrolled in a program lasting at least 6 months.
• Have the DLI letter on hand.

Note: Your practice should not exceed 50% of the program.

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What is a CO-OP?

A CO-OP is a cooperative education program that combines academic learning in the classroom with hands-on work experience. It is a required step at some colleges and universities (DLIs) for earning a degree or diploma. 

It is not exclusive to Canada, nor is it the PGWP (Post-Graduation Work Permit); nor is it part of language courses (ESL/FSL) or general interest programs. 

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Key Points 

1. What about high school students? Please note: This change applies only to postsecondary students (university or college).

For high school students, the rule remains the same: they need to apply for their CO-OP Work Permit.

2. If you already had an application in process, you don't need to do anything. If you had already submitted your application for a CO-OP Work Permit and are a postsecondary student, IRCC will withdraw your application automatically. There's no need to waste time contacting them to request a cancellation.

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3. Does this apply to all programs? It does not apply to English or French language programs. General courses. Programs outside Canada. You must stop if you stop studying full-time, your permit expires, or you are on an academic leave of absence.

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4. How can you tell if it qualifies? It is essential that you confirm with your educational institution (DLI) that your job opportunity formally qualifies as a Student Work Placement under the new guidelines.

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Information to Keep in Mind

It is important to get your information from official sources and to consult with licensed professionals. Remember that:

• You need a SIN number to work in Canada. 
• You can work for employers approved by your school, either on or off campus.

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Do you have questions about your specific case? Don't worry—at Immiland Canada, we can help you.

We are CICC-regulated consultants and Canadian lawyers. We have an educational division—Immiland Education—and career advisors who can guide you through the process of studying in Canada.

If you would like to verify that your program meets the requirements for this exemption, please contact us or request a Free Profile Assessment.

Thank you for joining us on this journey. See you in our next blog post, where we will continue to build your Canadian dream with professionalism and empathy!

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Official sources: Simplification of the cooperative work permit requirement for international students in higher education.

Internships for Students

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With love,

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Immiland Canada