Frequently Asked Questions

The search tool is intended as a starting point. To ensure you apply correctly, we recommend having your profile reviewed by an immigration expert.

The co-op is a professional internship (work experience while you are still a student), it does not affect your residency nor does it count towards your residency (with very specific exceptions in Quebec). Your benefit is that you gain work experience in the professional area of study, which will benefit you in the future when you graduate to find your first job.

There is no specific number of trips you should make, the recommended logic is that the more trips the better: having 1 trip is better than having 0 trips. The fresher your trips, the better. The more stable the economy of the country you visit, the better.

Some study programs include mandatory work experience as part of their curriculum. 

Therefore, if your program of study includes co-op (mandatory/mandatory), then you need to apply to your co-op along with your study permit application (many schools issue a letter supporting the issuance of a co-op permit to submit with your application). You must then apply to the CBSA officer when you enter Canada for your co-op permit, which is different from your study permit and which must be issued upon entry into Canada. 

Remember that the co-op work permit is not the same as the authorization to work 20 hours off campus as the study permit. The co-op work permit is a separate work permit, it is not related to the authorization to work part-time in Canada.

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Your study permit is what authorizes you to work part-time. However, in order to do so, your study permit must stipulate a "Work off campus" condition. Please note that this work authorization is different from the CO-OP internship work permit.