canadavisasworkingpolicy
Canada scraps separate co-op work permit
Post-secondary international students in Canada no longer need a separate co-op work permit to complete a work placement required by their program. As of April 1, 2026, a valid study permit is enough, according to an IRCC notice published April 9, 2026. This removes an extra application, fee, and processing wait for students in co-op and internship programs.
What changed
Previously, a student whose program required a work placement — a co-op term or mandatory internship — needed two separate documents: a study permit and a co-op work permit. The co-op work permit had its own application, its own fee, and its own processing time, on top of the study permit process.
IRCC’s notice confirms that, from April 1, 2026, eligible post-secondary students can complete program-required work placements using the work authorization already tied to their study permit. They no longer apply for or hold a separate co-op work permit. IRCC describes this as an administrative simplification: it does not change who is allowed to work or increase the number of students authorized to do so. Students may work for employers approved by their designated learning institution as part of the program’s requirements.
Anyone with a co-op work permit application already in progress does not need to do anything. IRCC says it will withdraw pending and active co-op work permit applications on its own.
The change applies to post-secondary students. Secondary school students with a mandatory work placement still need a separate co-op work permit — that requirement is unchanged.
Who it affects
- International students in post-secondary programs — university, college, or polytechnic — with a mandatory co-op term, internship, or work placement.
- Students who had a co-op work permit application pending as of April 1, 2026; IRCC will withdraw these automatically.
- Secondary (K-12) students in work-integrated programs, who are not affected and still need a separate permit.
What you should do
- If your program includes a mandatory co-op or internship placement, check that your current study permit carries work conditions — that’s what now authorizes the placement.
- Don’t submit a new co-op work permit application for a placement starting after April 1, 2026; it isn’t required and IRCC will withdraw it.
- If you already have a pending co-op work permit application, you don’t need to follow up — it will be withdrawn without action on your part. Confirm with your institution’s international student office if you’re unsure whether your placement is covered.
- Read the general rules on international student work rights on our working in Canada page before your placement starts.
What hasn’t changed
The 50%-of-program limit on work placement length and the underlying eligibility criteria for undertaking a co-op term have not changed — only the paperwork has. Off-campus work hours outside of a co-op placement are a separate rule, covered on the same working in Canada page.