International students pursuing study programs in Canada that require a co-op internship program or work placement may apply for a co-op work permit.
# Internships in Canada: Legal FAQs for international students. Internships are a fantastic way to jumpstart your career and begin building your professional network while you’re studying abroad in Canada. But before you start applying to or accepting internship offers, you’ll want to make sure you know about Canadian internship laws and requirements and how they specifically apply to your unique needs as an international student. According to the government of Canada, in order to get a work permit, you must prove that the work experience is essential to completing your academic program. Before accepting an unpaid internship, it’s a good idea to look up the specific regulations in the province of your school. For students seeking out or currently working a paid internship, it’s a good idea to open a Canadian bank account so you can be paid via direct deposit (which is the norm for most employers) and manage the money you make.
This gives you the opportunity to continue to register for an internship in Canada in 2019 with the Working Holiday Visa.**. Visa applications must be sent to the Canadian embassy in a good time as there is only a limited number available. All programs have an age limit of 18 to 35 years, with the exception of a work permit. **Internship Co-op Visa:** A 12-month work permit for students and trainees who want to do a study or training-related internship in Canada and already have an internship in Canada. The Working Holiday Visa is the easiest way to travel to Canada for an internship. The advantage of this type of visa is that the employer can be chosen freely and that one can also work on the side. To get a Working Holiday Visa you have to. If it is worth the company to pay the fee for you, then as an applicant in the "International Co-op (Internship)" category you must have the following requirements:.
# Work in a student work placement. ## Changes to co-op work permit requirements for post-secondary international students. As of April 1, 2026, as a post-secondary international student, you don’t need a co-op work permit for student work placements, such as co ops or internships. **Secondary students** still need a co-op work permit to participate in student work placements. To be eligible for a student work placement, the work placement must be required to complete your study program. You can participate in student work placements as a **post-secondary student** if you meet **all** of the following conditions:. If you’re an international student at a DLI at the secondary level, you need a co-op work permit to participate in student work placements. You can apply for a co-op work permit if you meet all of the following conditions:. If you’re not eligible to participate in a student work placement but you want to work in Canada, you need to apply for a work permit.
# Simplifying the co-op work permit requirement for post-secondary international students. **Ottawa, April 9, 2026**—Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada is working to streamline its processes and maximize efficiency, while continuing to strengthen the International Student Program and deliver excellent client services. As of April 1, 2026, eligible post-secondary international students no longer need a separate work permit to participate in student work placements required by their program, such as co-op placements and internships. Students may work for employers approved by their designated learning institution as part of their program requirements. This change simplifies the administrative process for students by requiring only one permit to complete a single study program. It does not increase the number of students who are authorized to work or affect temporary resident volumes; it simply removes an administrative step that is no longer necessary. International students with pending decisions on their co-op work permit applications will not need to take any action. IRCC will withdraw all eligible and active co-op work permit applications.
# International Co-op Internship: Easily recruit international student talent. The **International Co-op Internship** category of the International Experience Canada (IEC) program allows foreign students enrolled in a post-secondary institution to complete an internship in Canada as part of their academic training. ## **What is the International Co-op Work Permit?**. Unlike other IEC categories, the Co-op Internship is exclusively for students. The internship must be directly related to the participant’s field of study. The maximum duration of the permit is generally **12 months**, but it may vary depending on the country. The Co-op Work Permit is a **closed permit**, meaning the student can only work for the employer listed in their application. The International Co-op category is a **winning formula** for students seeking global experience and for Canadian employers looking to collaborate with emerging talent. L’accès ou le stockage technique est nécessaire dans la finalité d’intérêt légitime de stocker des préférences qui ne sont pas demandées par l’abonné ou l’internaute.
**On this page:** Am I eligible to participate in a student work placement? As of April 1, 2026, students no longer require a co-op work permit in order to complete a student work placement required by their program. * Immigration Canada (IRCC) has removed the requirement to hold a valid co-op work permit to participate in work that is a mandatory part of your program – now called a student work placement. * IRCC will therefore **no longer be issuing co-op work permits** to students whose program includes a student work placement. Immigration Canada may send you a letter which explains that you don’t need a co-op work permit to participate in a student work permit any longer, but even if they do not, you no longer need to have a co-op work permit. * You can wait for IRCC to withdraw your application and send you a letter which explains that you don’t need a co-op work permit to participate in a student work placement any longer.
As of April 1, 2026, you don't need a co-op work permit for student work placements, such as co-ops or internships, as a post-secondary international student.