Skip to main content

Co-op work permit

A co-op work permit is a mandatory document for international students during your co-op/internship/placement/practicum period. The co-op work permit is only for work required by your academic program to complete your degree. 

If you are an international student in a program requiring experiential learning, such as a co-op, internship, practicum or placement, you will require a co-op work permit. A co-op work permit is not the same as a study permit and cannot be used in lieu of a study permit. You are responsible for keeping the original co-op work permit and ensuring it is valid. 

CO-OP and internship opportunities

Co-op work permit application

  • How do I apply for a co-op work permit?

    You can apply online through your IRCC secure account on the Immigrations, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. It is highly recommended to apply for your co-op work permit once you are accepted to a co-op program in your Offer of Admission or approved by your program/faculty to be part of the co-op program. Do not wait until you have a job offer. You must have your co-op work permit prior to starting your work term. 

    You can apply for your co-op work permit during one of the following times:

    • With your initial study permit application.
      • You can use your offer of admission letter as long as it’s valid and it states, internship/work practicum: yes or the specific hours. 
    • With your study permit extension application.
    • Separate co-op work permit application.
  • Do I need to complete a medical exam to get my work permit?
    You may need to complete a medical exam to get a work permit if you wish to work in a job where it is important to protect public health (such as health services, child care, or primary or secondary education), or if you will be working in an agricultural job and you have lived in a designated country or territory. A list of occupations that require a medical exam can be found on the IRCC website. You must see a physician on Canada’s list of Panel Physicians on the IRCC website to complete your medical exam.

Frequently asked questions

  • How do I know if there is a co-op in my program?

    You can confirm whether or not your program requires a co-op by reviewing your offer of admission from the university (if it is still valid and applicable) or your letter of enrolment.

    You require a co-op work permit if you are in any of the following faculty or programs:

    • Faculty of Business and Information Technology 
    • Faculty of Education
    • Faculty of Science
    • Faculty of Social Science & Humanities
    • Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science
    • Master of Information Technology Security (MITS) 
    • Nursing

    You can acquire your co-op work permit letter by:

    1. Undergraduate students: Fill out the specialized letter request form. Please note that these letters have a $15 administrative fee, which will be charged to your student account.
    2. Graduate students: Fill out the Verification of Enrolment form.
  • When can I apply for my co-op work permit?

    Apply for your co-op work permit as soon as you have received the offer of admission with work as a mandatory part of your program or you are approved to the program with work as a mandatory part of your program. The processing times for a co-op work permit may be long so it’s best to start your application as soon as you can. 

    You do not need a job offer to start your co-op work permit application.

    You can apply for your co-op work permit during one of the following times:

    1. Apply for your co-op work permit with your initial study permit application, or
    2. Apply for your co-op work permit with your study permit extension application from inside Canada, or
    3. Apply separately for the co-op work permit application from inside of Canada.
  • Where can I find the letter to confirm I have co-op in my program?

    The following documents can be used to confirm that you have a co-op in your program:

    • Co-op work permit letter. You can acquire your co-op work permit letter by:
    1. Undergraduate students: Fill out the specialized letter request form. Please note that these letters have a $15 administrative fee, which will be charged to your student account.
    2. Graduate Students: Fill out the Verification of Enrolment form. Please note: Any fee associated with requesting a letter will be communicated to you by SGPS.
    • Offer of admission from the university (if it’s still valid and applicable to you). 
  • How long will it take to receive my co-op work permit?

    You can check the processing time on the IRCC website.

  • How much does it cost to apply for my co-op work permit?

    The co-op work permit is a free application!*

    *Please note:

    1. Undergraduate students: There is an administrative fee for the co-op work permit letter of $15, which will be charged to your student account.
    2. Graduate students: Any fee associated with requesting a letter will be communicated to you by SGPS.
  • How long can I take co-op?
    Your co-op placement or internship totals 50 per cent or less of your study program. More information can be found on the IRCC website.
  • Can I have other paid employment on the side while being on a co-op term?
    Yes, as long as you are eligible to work on/off campus.
  • How do I prepare for my work term?
    Six weeks before your work term begins, contact uhip@ontariotechu.ca with your full name, student number and information on any eligible dependents you have. This is to ensure you are eligible, enrolled and charged the appropriate fees for University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP).
  • What happens if I apply for my co-op work permit but I do not end up doing it?

    That is okay! However, you cannot use your co-op work permit for work that is not related to your program requirements (even if it’s still valid).

  • There is a specific employment location on my co-op or post-gradation work permit. Can I work somewhere else?

    According to the IRCC website, it depends on where the employment location information is on your work permit.

    If the location is under Additional Information

    You can work in any location across Canada. You don’t need to apply to change your work permit. If you have a co-op work permit, your work must be required to complete your study program.

    Sample work permit with employment location under “Additional information” indicated with red arrow and box

    Figure 1. Employment location information under the Additional Information section of a sample work permit.

    If the location is under Conditions or Remarks/Observations

    You must work at the location on your permit. You must apply to change the conditions of your work permit if you want to work in a different location. To do this, you’ll need to apply for a new work permit from within Canada. Select Inside Canada to find out how you can apply for your new permit. Include a letter explaining why you need the condition removed from your work permit with your application.

    Sample work permit with employment location indicated with a red arrow and box

    Figure 2. Employment location information under the Conditions section of a sample work permit.


Temporary changes

  • Can I work while submitting my co-op work permit application?

    Outside of Canada

    If you are outside of Canada, you can work while your study permit and co-op work permit are being processed. If your faculty and employer agree, you can either:

    • Accept a Canadian work placement and begin working remotely from your home country, or 
    • Work for a company in your home country .

    Inside Canada

    If you are already in Canada and have applied for a co-op work permit, you may begin your co-op placement using your on-campus and off-campus work authorization, provided you meet all the eligibility requirements. 

    There is no limit on work hours for on-campus work. For off-campus work, you can work a total of 24 hours per week during an academic term or semester while you are waiting for your co-op work permit; however, the 24 hours must include both the hours worked at your co-op job and those worked at your regular paid job (if you have one). You can work full-time during the regularly scheduled breaks. 

    However, if the co-op work permit application is refused, you must stop your co-op work immediately.

    More information can be found on the IRCC Website with the section named "Post-secondary co-op - exemption code C32 eligibility". 


Disclaimer: The information on this page is not a legal document and information may change without notice. Please refer to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website for the most up to date information.