Co-op work permits no longer needed for most post-secondary students

Since April 1, 2026, eligible post-secondary international students can complete required work placements with their study permit alone.

What happened

On April 9, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that, effective April 1, 2026, eligible post-secondary international students no longer need a separate co-op work permit for work placements required by their program, such as co-op terms and internships. According to IRCC, one permit now covers a single study program.

Who qualifies

IRCC lists these conditions, all of which must be met: the initial study permit has the on-campus work condition printed on it; the student has a letter from their designated learning institution (DLI) confirming the placement is required for the program; the study permit is valid, or an extension was applied for before it expired; the student is enrolled full time in a post-secondary academic, vocational or professional training program; and the placement makes up 50% or less of the program.

Secondary school students still need a co-op work permit. Students in English or French as a second language courses, general interest courses or program-preparation courses cannot do student work placements. Students whose study permit lacks the on-campus condition cannot start a placement until it is added; eligible students can request the amendment at no fee.

What it means

Students with a pending co-op work permit application do not need to do anything: IRCC will withdraw eligible active applications. IRCC says the change does not increase the number of students authorized to work. Separately, on April 1, IRCC added other proposed study and work authorization changes to its forward regulatory plan, such as allowing students and graduates to keep working while awaiting an extension or post-graduation work permit decision. Those proposals are still under consultation and are not in force.

Before a placement starts, check the conditions printed on your study permit, get the program-requirement letter from your school and, if the job requires it, a social insurance number.

Based on official information available at the time of the announcement. General information only, not legal advice. Immigration rules change often; IRCC and provincial websites prevail.