Post-Secondary Students no longer need a separate CO-OP Work Permit—but conditions still apply

As of April 1, 2026, eligible post-secondary international students generally no longer need a separate co-op work permit to complete a mandatory work placement in Canada.

The change removes an additional application process for many students and should reduce delays when a required internship, practicum or co-op term approaches.

It does not, however, create unrestricted work authorization.

The work must remain an approved and required component of the student’s Canadian study program, and the student must satisfy all of IRCC’s conditions.

What Is Considered a Student Work Placement?

IRCC describes student work placements as work experiences that are required by the study program and approved by the designated learning institution.

They may include:

·         co-op placements;

·         internships;

·         practicums; and

·         certain mentorship programs.

The placement must be connected to a program at a Canadian designated learning institution. A placement associated with a school outside Canada does not qualify under these rules.

This distinction matters because not every internship arranged by a student is a program requirement.

A student who independently finds optional employment cannot simply describe the job as a practicum to avoid the regular work limitations attached to a study permit.

Who Can Complete a Placement Without a Separate Co-op Work Permit?

A post-secondary student must generally satisfy all of the following conditions:

·         the initial study permit contains conditions authorizing on-campus work;

·         the student has a letter from the designated learning institution confirming that the placement is required;

·         the student holds a valid study permit or submitted an extension application before the permit expired;

·         the student is enrolled full-time in an eligible post-secondary academic, vocational or professional program; and

·         the total work-placement component is no more than 50% of the study program.

A school letter remains essential.

The removal of the separate work-permit application does not eliminate the need to prove that the placement forms part of the academic program.

Students and employers should keep a copy of the DLI letter and the study permit available in case questions arise about authorization to work.

What if the Study Permit Does Not Contain Work Conditions?

Some students receive study permits that do not contain the wording required to work.

IRCC states that a student cannot begin working without an appropriate work condition printed on the study permit. Where the student is otherwise eligible, the person may request an amendment to add the relevant condition without paying a fee.

This is an area where students should be particularly careful.

The fact that a work placement is mandatory does not authorize employment when the study permit expressly lacks the necessary work condition.

The permit should be reviewed before the placement begins—not after the employer or school discovers the issue.

Is There a Weekly Limit on Co-op Hours?

IRCC states that there is no weekly hour limit for an eligible student work placement. However, the total placement component cannot exceed 50% of the study program.

This work should be distinguished from ordinary off-campus employment.

Regular off-campus work is governed by separate rules and hour limitations. Students should not combine the two concepts or assume that an unlimited practicum authorization allows unlimited work in an unrelated job.

The employer should also be one accepted through the school’s student work-placement program.

Who Is Not Eligible?

Students are not eligible to use the student-work-placement rules when they are enrolled only in:

·         English or French as a second-language courses;

·         general-interest courses;

·         courses preparing them for another program; or

·         courses at an institution outside Canada.

Students at the secondary-school level also continue to require a co-op work permit for a qualifying placement.

The change therefore applies specifically to eligible post-secondary students. It should not be generalized to every international student in Canada.

What Happens if the Student Stops Studying?

Authorization to participate in the placement depends on the student continuing to satisfy the underlying requirements.

IRCC instructs students to stop participating in a placement when they stop studying full-time, when the study permit expires, during an authorized leave or while switching schools and not actively studying, subject to limited exceptions such as an eligible final semester.

Students who applied to extend their study permits before expiry may have maintained status, but they must continue observing the conditions applicable to them.

A student should not rely on maintained status without reviewing whether the extension was submitted in time and whether the person remained in Canada.

Placements in Healthcare and Childcare Settings

A student may require an immigration medical examination if the placement is in a hospital or another environment where the protection of public health is important.

A study permit may contain a condition prohibiting work in healthcare, childcare, primary or secondary education, or other designated settings where the person has not completed the required medical examination.

The removal of the co-op work permit does not automatically remove such a restriction.

Before starting a nursing practicum, medical-office placement, childcare placement or similar role, the student should review the exact wording on the study permit and determine whether an upfront or subsequent medical examination is necessary.

What if a Co-op Work Permit Application Is Already Pending?

A student who already applied for a post-secondary co-op work permit but no longer needs it may be able to withdraw the application. IRCC may also withdraw it and issue a letter confirming that a separate permit is unnecessary. Existing co-op work permits remain valid until their expiry.

Before withdrawing an application, the student should verify that they meet all requirements under the new rules and do not require the permit for another reason.

Our Assessment

This is a helpful administrative change, but students should not interpret it as a broad expansion of international-student work rights.

The authorization is tied to a specific mandatory placement, a qualifying study program, continued full-time enrolment, appropriate permit conditions and confirmation from the school.

The greatest risks are likely to arise where students begin optional placements, work without the required condition on the study permit or overlook medical restrictions applying to sensitive occupations.

Master Immigration Services can review a student’s permit conditions, maintained-status situation and placement documents before the employment begins.

This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Students should verify the conditions that apply to their individual permits and programs.