Co-op work permit

Frequently asked questions

• What is a student work placement?

  Student work placements are work experiences that are required for your study program and approved by Ontario Tech University. They can include but aren’t limited to

  • co-op placements
  • internships
  • placements
  • practicums
  • mentorship programs
• Who can participate in student work placements?

  To be eligible for a student work placement, the work placement must be required to complete your study program.

  You can participate in student work placements as a Ontario Tech University student if you meet all of the following conditions:

  • You have conditions printed on your initial study permit that say you’re allowed to work on campus.
  • You have a letter from Ontario Tech University that confirms the work placement is a requirement of your study program.
  • You have a valid study permit or you applied to extend your study permit before it expired.
  • You’re a full-time student at Ontario Tech University. 
  • Your study program is at least six months long, at a post-secondary level and leads to a degree, diploma or certificate.
  • The work placement of your study program totals 50 per cent or less of your study program.

  IRCC may ask you to provide a letter from Ontario Tech University that confirms that all students in your program need to complete work placements to get their degree, diploma or certificate. 

  Based on the type of work required in your study program, you may also need a social insurance number (SIN).

• If you're eligible but don't have conditions printed on your study permit?

  If you’re eligible to work on campus, but IRCC didn’t include either of the following two conditions on your study permit, you can ask to have them added:

  1. “May accept employment on or off campus if meeting eligibility criteria as per R186(f), (v) or (w). Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.”
  2. “This permit does not authorize the holder to engage in off campus employment in Canada. May accept employment only on campus if meeting eligibility criteria as per R186(f). Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.”

  You can’t work if you don’t have one of these conditions on your study permit. There’s no fee to add these conditions to your permit. See how to request an amendment to your study permit. Ensure you meet all the requirements to participate in student work placements.

• If you already applied for a post-secondary co-op work permit, what should you do?

  If you applied for a co-op work permit but don’t need one with the new requirements:

  • You can withdraw your application.
  • IRCC may withdraw your application and send a letter which explains that you don’t need a co-op work permit to participate in a student work permit.
• Where can you work and who can you work for?

  You can work for any employer that’s accepted by Ontario Tech University’s student work placement program, even if they’re off campus.

  You need to have a medical exam if your student work placement is at a hospital or other place where the protection of public health is important, unless you’ve already had one.

• How many hours you can participate in student work placements?
  There is no weekly hour limit to participate in student work placements. However, your work placement can’t total more than 50 per cent of your study program and also must be approved by your study program at Ontario Tech University. 
• 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 filling out the specialized letter request form. Please note that these letters have a $15 administrative fee, which will be charged to your student account.

  • Offer of admission from the university (only if it is valid). 
• 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).