Changes to Work Placement Requirements for Post-Secondary International Students
Effective April 1, 2026, post-secondary international students in Canada are no longer required to obtain a co-op work permit in order to participate in student work placements, including co-op programs and internships.
🎓 Eligibility for Student Work Placements
To qualify for a student work placement, the placement must be a mandatory component of your academic program.
Post-secondary students may participate in work placements if all of the following conditions are met:
- Your initial study permit includes a condition indicating that you are authorized to work on campus
- You have received a letter from your Designated Learning Institution (DLI) confirming that the work placement is a required part of your program
- You hold a valid study permit, or you have applied to extend your study permit before its expiry date
- You are enrolled as a full-time student at a DLI
- Your program is at least 6 months in duration, at the post-secondary level, and leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate
- The total duration of the work placement does not exceed 50% of your overall study program
⚠️ Important Reminder
Secondary school students are still required to obtain a co-op work permit in order to participate in student work placements.
‼️The information is provided by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please visit official IRCC sources directly.
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