IRCC Removes the Co-op Work Permit Requirement for Many Post-Secondary International Students
- Bassel Zoueiter
- Apr 9
- 4 min read
Canada has made an important change for international students completing co-ops, internships, practicums, and other required work placements. Although IRCC published the official notice on April 9, 2026, the change took effect on April 1, 2026. From that date, many eligible post-secondary international students no longer need a separate co-op work permit and can instead use their study permit to complete required student work placements.
This is a significant simplification, but it is not a blanket permission for all students to work. IRCC specifically says the change removes an administrative step and does not expand the number of students authorized to work or change temporary resident volumes. In other words, students must still meet the underlying eligibility requirements before starting any placement.
Who can use a study permit for a co-op or practicum?
Under IRCC’s updated rules, a post-secondary student can participate in a required student work placement using their study permit only if all eligibility conditions are met. The placement must be required to complete the study program. The student must have a letter from the designated learning institution (DLI) confirming that the placement is a program requirement. The student must hold a valid study permit, or must have applied to extend it before it expired. The student must also be studying full-time at a DLI in a post-secondary program of at least 6 months that leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate. Finally, the work placement must total 50% or less of the overall study program.
A very important detail: the study permit must include the right work conditions
One of the most important parts of this update is that students cannot simply assume they are authorized because they are in a co-op program. IRCC states that the student must have the appropriate work conditions printed on the study permit. If the required conditions are missing, the student must request an amendment before beginning the placement, and IRCC says there is no fee to add those conditions.
This point matters in practice. A student may be otherwise eligible, but if the study permit does not contain the proper wording, they should not start the placement yet. Schools and students should check this early to avoid last-minute delays.
What kinds of placements are covered?
IRCC’s guidance confirms that student work placements can include co-op placements, internships, practicums, and mentorship programs, as long as they are required by the program and approved by the DLI. Students may work for any employer accepted by the school’s student work placement program, including off-campus employers.
IRCC also confirms that there is no weekly hour limit for participation in an eligible student work placement. However, the placement still cannot exceed 50% of the total study program.
Who is not covered by this change?
This change applies to post-secondary international students only. IRCC clearly states that secondary school students still need a co-op work permit for student work placements.
IRCC also says that students are not eligible to participate in student work placements under this framework if they are taking English or French as a second language courses, general interest courses, courses that prepare them for another program, or courses at an institution outside Canada. Students in those situations would need to explore other work authorization options if available.
Other requirements students should not overlook
Even when a co-op work permit is no longer required, students may still need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) depending on the type of work placement. In some cases, a medical exam may also be required, especially if the placement is in a hospital or another setting where protection of public health is important.
Students must also stop participating in the placement when they are no longer eligible. IRCC says this includes situations where the student stops studying full-time, goes on an authorized leave, lets the study permit expire, or switches schools and is not currently studying.
What happens to pending co-op work permit applications?
IRCC has stated that international students with eligible and active post-secondary co-op work permit applications generally do not need to do anything further. IRCC says it will withdraw those eligible active applications because a separate co-op work permit is no longer needed in those cases.
What this means for students and schools
For students, this change should make the process simpler and reduce duplicate paperwork. For schools, it should reduce advising complexity, but it also creates a new compliance point: students need to be reminded to confirm that the required work conditions are actually printed on their study permits before starting a placement.
The biggest takeaway is this: the co-op work permit requirement has been removed for many eligible post-secondary students, but the eligibility rules still matter. Students should continue to verify their program requirements, their status, their study permit conditions, and any additional SIN or medical exam requirements before starting work.
Final thoughts
This is a welcome administrative change for many international students in Canada. It should make required work placements easier to manage and reduce unnecessary permit applications. At the same time, it is not a universal work authorization rule. The safest approach is still to review the student’s study permit carefully and confirm that every IRCC requirement is met before the placement begins.
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