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91社区.CA / International Student Services / Work & Permits

Co-op/Internship work permit

翱惫别谤惫颈别飞鈥嬧赌�

International students who must participate in a听mandatory听co-op/internship/practicum/placement (i.e. one that is a听requirement for their program) must apply for a co-op work permit. This applies whether the work is on- or off-campus, paid or unpaid, during the academic year or during the summer, and regardless of the number of hours involved.

If accepted directly into a program requiring an internship (e.g. B.Ed., MBA), students can apply for their co-op/internship work permit听at the same time as they apply for their initial Study Permit.听

Because of current , students are advised to apply for their co-op/internship work permit 6 months before听their internship is due to start.听

Note: This application is听fee exempt听(i.e. free).

You are eligible for this permit if:

  • you have a letter from your department* confirming the mandatory nature of the work experience

  • you have a valid Study Permit

  • the employment in question is a requirement of your program

  • the employment constitutes 50% or听less of your program

Important Information

Co-Op Work Permit Details:

  • Your co-op work permit is an that allows you to work anywhere in Canada as long as the work is a mandatory requirement of your program. NOTE: If the location is listed under the section of your Coop Work Permit, you can only work at that location. If you want to work in a different location, you must apply to change the conditions of your work permit . To do this, you鈥檒l need to听.
  • Although the co-op work permit is an open work permit, Immigration Canada may听list 鈥�91社区鈥� as the employer on the work permit since the work is an essential part of your studies at 91社区. This does not mean that you cannot work for an employer other than 91社区. A co-op work permit allows you to work for any employer as long as the work satisfies a mandatory requirement of your program for which you will be registered for an internship or co-op course.
  • No job offer is necessary when applying for a Co-Op Work Permit.
  • You can check how long it will take before you get your Work Permit on the . Select 鈥淲ork permit extension (new employer)鈥� for appropriate processing times.
  • The remarks at the bottom of your Co-Op Work Permit must indicate:

"Employment practicum cannot form more than 50% of the total program of study. Authorized to undertake employment which forms integral part of studies as certified by the institution."

If the above remarks do not appear, it is best to ask for a correction while you are at your Port of Entry (e.g. land border or airport). If you applied for your co-op work permit online or you have left the border, you may need to apply for a work permit .听Please see for more information听about the co-op work permit.

IMPORTANT: If you, your Program Coordinator or your employer are unsure whether your Coop Work Permit has the correct remarks and/or conditions, please contact us.

The Co-Op Support letter:

  • In support of your Co-Op Work Permit, you must provide a letter from your department indicating that the work is a compulsory component of the academic program that you are pursuing.

If you have problems with your online application then Contact the Immigration Canada Call Centre at 1.888.242.2100

Additional detailed information about the Co-Op Work Permit is available on Immigration Canada's "" page.

Instructions - How, Where, When to Apply

Applying from OUTSIDE of Canada

  • Scenario: You are applying for your Co-op /Internship Work Permit at the same time as applying for your Study Permit.

鈥婩or the above scenario, you will be applying online. 鈥嬧�嬧��

Applying Online

1. Go to the of the Immigration Canada website and fill out the "".鈥�

  • After you have completed the first part of the questionnaire it will indicate that you may be eligible to come to Canada as a student. 鈥�

  • You will then be prompted to continue with completing the questionnaire and when asked: 鈥淚s work an essential component of your studies?鈥� you must indicate 鈥淵es鈥� (whether the placement is paid or unpaid).

  • At the end of the questionnaire, you will be provided with your personalized document checklist which will include the 鈥淎pplication for Study Permit Made Outside of Canada (IMM1294)鈥� form that you are required to complete AND one of the supporting documents you will be required to upload is 鈥淓vidence of Work Requirement in Study鈥� (i.e., your Co-Op letter).鈥嬧��

2. Print the 鈥淒ocument Checklist鈥� that you are provided at the end of the questionnaire and write down the personal reference code provided on the first line of your 鈥淒ocument Checklist鈥� (you will need it in order to initiate your study permit/co-op work permit application through your IRCC secure account).

3. Log on to your IRCC Secure Account (or register for an account - also known as a "GC Key" - if you don't have one already) 鈥� Refer to Steps 5, 6 and 7 on your 鈥淒ocument Checklist鈥� for instructions.

4. Complete the 鈥淪tudy Permit Made Outside of Canada (IMM 1294)鈥� PDF Form provided

  • You will not be asked any information about your co-op/internship work on this form.

  • Once this form is completed save it to your desktop as you will upload it as part of your study permit application which will be done through your听IRCC Secure Account.

    NOTE: 91社区's Immigration Canada (IRCC) are (please use the number that corresponds with the location indicated on your admission letter):

    • DLI# O19359011033

5. Upload required documents from within your听IRCC Secure Account Account

  • Upload your saved 鈥淎pplication for Study Permit Made Outside of Canada (IMM 1294)鈥� Form to your application;

  • When asked to upload your passport, be sure to include ALL stamped/marked pages of your passport;

  • Upload your Co-Op letter* or curriculum from your department or the Co-op/Internship Office at 91社区 stating that work is a necessary requirement for the completion of your studies.

  • If you are required to do a medical exam for your work permit application (), upload proof of this (i.e. a medical exam receipt). See PDF icon detailed instructions.

*Materials Engineering Co-op students can now obtain their co-op work permit letter here.
*Mining Engineering Co-op students can now obtain their co-op work permit letter here.
*Software Engineering Co-op students can now obtain their co-op work permit letter here.
*Nursing students can now obtain their co-op work permit letter here.
ALL groups should include their letter of acceptance or proof of enrolment - which confirms that they are completing a co-op program - along with the Department letter.

**IMPORTANT: Immigration Canada plans to expand their biometrics program. You may be required to provide biometrics when applying for your co-op/internship work permit, for more information please see our News page.

6. Pay the required fees:

  • The Co-op/internship work permit is free (fee-exempt).鈥嬧��

7. Wait to receive your Study Permit and Work Permit 鈥溾�� which will be issued to you through your听IRCC Secure Account Account.

  • Print this letter as you will be required to present it to the Canadian Border Service Agent when you arrive in Canada. You will be issued your actual Study Permit and your Co-Op Work Permit documents at that time.

Applying from WITHIN Canada

  • Scenario: If you did not apply for your Co-Op Work Permit at the same time as you applied for your Study Permit then you can apply for your Co-Op Work Permit online inside of Canada.

    For the above scenario, you may apply online or at the border.

Applying Online

Biometrics requirement expanded to inside Canada applications:听you must submit biometrics in order to extend or apply for an immigration document from inside Canada 鈥� e.g. study permit, work permit, visitor record, and temporary resident visa (TRV/Visitor Visa/Entry Visa). See the ISS News Section听补苍诲 for more information. U.S. citizens are currently exempt from having to provide biometrics. For a full , see Immigration Canada鈥檚 website.

1. Go to the page of the Immigration Canada website and fill out the to apply questionnaire.

  • In reply to the question: 鈥淲hat would you like to do in Canada?鈥� you must indicate 鈥淲ork鈥�.
  • In reply to the question: 鈥淲hat is your current immigration status in Canada?鈥� you must indicate 鈥淪tudent鈥�.
  • When asked if you are planning to work on campus, even if you are, you have to indicate "no鈥�.
  • When asked: 鈥淎re you a full-time student at a participating post-secondary institution and want to work off-campus up to 20 hours per week?鈥� you must indicate 鈥渘o鈥� even if you do.
  • In reply to the question: 鈥淚s your work an essential part of your studies (for example, a Co-Op or internship program)?鈥� you must indicate 鈥測es鈥�.
  • After you have completed the first part of the questionnaire it will indicate that you may be eligible to work in Canada as a co-op student.
  • You will then be prompted to continue with completing the questionnaire.
  • At the end of the questionnaire, you will be provided with your personalized document checklist which will include the 鈥淎pplication to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada As a Worker (IMM 5710)鈥� form that you are required to complete AND one of the supporting documents that you will be required to upload is your 鈥淐o-Op鈥� letter.

2. Print the 鈥淒ocument Checklist鈥� that you are provided at the end of the questionnaire and write down your personal reference code provided on the first line of your 鈥淒ocument Checklist鈥� (you will need it in order to initiate your co-op work permit application through your MyCIC account).

3. Log on to IRCC Secure Account (or register for an account - also known as a "GC Key" - if you don't have one already) 鈥� Refer to Steps 5, 6 and 7 on your 鈥淒ocument Checklist鈥� for instructions.

4. Complete the 鈥淎pplication to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada As a Worker (IMM 5710)鈥� PDF Form provided

  • In Section 1 - Be sure to include your UCI (Universal Client ID - which can be found on your Study Permit)
  • In reply to Section 1 a/ of the 鈥淒etails of Intended Work in Canada 鈥� What type of work permit are you applying for?鈥� you must select 鈥淐o-Op Work Permit鈥� from the drop-down menu.
  • Please leave sections 2, 3, 4, 5 6 and 7听of the 鈥淒etails of Intended Work In Canada鈥� part of the form blank
  • Once you have completed this form save it to your desktop as you will upload it as part of your application which will be done through your IRCC Secure Account Account

5. Upload required documents from within your IRCC Secure Account Account

  • Upload your saved 鈥淎pplication to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada As a Worker (IMM 5710)鈥� form to your application;
  • When asked to upload your passport, be sure to include ALL stamped/marked pages of your passport;
  • Upload your Co-Op letter* or curriculum from your department or the Co-op/Internship Office at 91社区 stating that work is a necessary requirement for the completion of your studies.
  • If you are required to do a medical exam for your work permit application (), upload proof of this (i.e. a medical exam receipt). PDF icon See detailed instructions.

*Materials Engineering Co-op students can now obtain their co-op work permit letter here.
*Mining Engineering Co-op students can now obtain their co-op work permit letter here.
*Software Engineering Co-op students can now obtain their co-op work permit letter here.
*Nursing students can now obtain their co-op work permit letter here.

ALL groups should include their letter of acceptance or proof of enrolment - which confirms that they are completing a co-op program - along with the Department letter.

6. Pay the required fees:

  • The Co-op/internship work permit is free (fee exempt).
    听

7. Wait to receive your 鈥淲ork Permit 鈥渁pproval notice鈥� which will be through your IRCC Secure Account.

  • Your actual Co-Op Work Permit will be sent to your mailing address in Canada.

Applying at the Border

In light of the that international students may no longer apply for the post-graduation work permit (PGWP) at the border, we suggest that students apply for the co-op work permit online.

1. Although we cannot guarantee that you will be issued a Co-Op Work Permit at the Canadian border, you may still try to apply at the border听to obtain it the same day - if you are TRV-exempt, meaning either:

  1. You are a citizen of a TRV-exempt country, OR
  2. You are a citizen of a TRV-required country, and are re-entering Canada solely from the US
    听

2. The closest land borders that process Co-Op work permits are:

  • Lacolle/Champlain*
  • St. Armand/Phillipsburg
  • Stanstead
  • Montreal's Trudeau Airport - but only if you are flying into Montreal from an international destination.

* We generally recommend students go to the Lacolle/Champlain border crossing to apply for their Co-Op Work Permit.


3. Do not forget to bring your Supporting Documents to the border, including:

  • Valid Passport
  • Valid Study Permit
  • Your Co-Op letter* provided to you by your department or the Co-op/Internship Office at 91社区
  • If you are required to do a medical exam for your work permit application (), bring proof of this (i.e. a medical exam receipt)
  • Optional but recommended: Proof of enrolment (which you can print off Minerva)

*Materials Engineering Co-op students can now obtain their co-op work permit letter here.
*Mining Engineering Co-op students can now obtain their co-op work permit letter here.
*Nursing students can now obtain their co-op work permit letter here.
ALL groups should include their letter of acceptance or proof of enrolment - which confirms that they are completing a co-op program - along with the Department letter.

**IMPORTANT: Immigration Canada plans to expand their biometrics program. You may be required to provide biometrics when applying for your co-op/internship work permit at the port of entry, for more information please see our News page.

NOTE: Make sure that you clearly state that you are a 91社区 student and that the work is an integral part of your studies at 91社区.


4. Pay the required fees:

  • The Co-op/internship work permit is free (fee-exempt).

Additional Important Information

Extending your Co-Op Work Permit:

  • If you are required to extend your Co-Op Work Permit, please follow the same instructions as provided in the Section 鈥�Applying from WITHIN Canada鈥� above.

The Co-Op Support letter:

  • In support of your Co-Op Work Permit, you must provide a letter from your department indicating that the work is a compulsory component of the academic program that you are pursuing.
    听
  1. No job offer is necessary when applying for a Co-Op Work Permit.
  2. No Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is required to apply for a Co-Op Work Permit.
  3. Your Co-Op Work Permit will indicate 鈥�91社区鈥� as your employer and it allows you to work for any authorized Co-Op Work Permit term but only for the job approved by the Co-Op program.
    • The remarks at the bottom of your Co-Op Work Permit must indicate:

"Only for work forming an essential/integral part of the course as per 91社区."

If the above remarks do not appear, it is best to ask for a correction while you are at the border. If you applied online or have left the border, you may need to apply for a Work Permit .

You can check how long it will take before you get your Work Permit on the Processing times vary according to where you apply, the volume of applications the time of year.

If you have problems with your CIC online application then Contact the Immigration Canada Call Centre at 1.888.242.2100

Additional detailed information about the Co-Op Work Permit is available on Immigration Canada's "" page.

In addition to the information above, please also review ISS' FAQs page.

FAQs
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