Co-op or internship work permit

Latest Updates

Updates to off-campus work

The temporary policies allowing some international students to work more than 20 hours a week off-campus were not extended beyond April 30, 2024. From May 1, 2024, the usual off-campus work policies resumed allowing eligible students to work up to 20 hours a week off-campus.

As of Nov 8, 2024, off-campus work hours have been increased from 20 to 24 hours a week during academic sessions. Review the Nov 15, 2024 news release.

Changes to the application process

As of Dec 23, 2024, it is no longer possible for most students to apply for a co-op work permit at the Canada-US border through “flagpoling”. Most students must apply for a co-op work permit online – learn how to apply below. If you applied for your co-op work permit and are waiting for it to be processed, you can work based on your on and off campus work eligibility. 

US citizens, lawful US permanent residents as well as some individuals can still apply for a co-op work permit at the border. Students who are exempt from a Temporary Resident Visa can apply for a co-op work permit when entering Canada at the airport or land border – note this does not include Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) expansion countries.

Immigration and Health Insurance updates and FAQs

Find out about updates and FAQs on immigration, health insurance, and more.

Last updated Nov 15, 2024 at 2:30 pm PT

About co-op work permits

You must have a co-op work permit if your program requires work, such as a UBC co-op, internship, or practicum to complete your program requirements.

A co-op work permit allows you to work full-time during academic terms if your work is required for your program and this work is approved by your program. You are typically enrolled in a co-op term, internship, or practicum course.

Your co-op, internship or practicum work cannot be more than 50% of your total program of study. Contact International Student Advising for support.

You do not require a work permit to work on and off campus during studies for non-co-op employment and could work based on your study permit, if you meet the requirements. You cannot apply for a co-op work permit for internships which are not required for your program or that are required by external funding organizations.

If you are not sure if your work is required for your academic program, please contact an Academic Advisor from your faculty or your graduate program advisor. You will need a letter from your faculty or program to apply for a co-op work permit. Learn more about UBC co-op programs.

If you were eligible for the temporary policies allowing you to work off campus more than 20 hours a week between Nov 15, 2022 and Apr 30, 2024, you might have been exempt from a co-op work permit during this period. 

Start your application for a co-op work permit as soon as you receive an official letter confirming that the work is required for your program of study. For example, a letter of acceptance in the co-op program or a letter acknowledging that you are required to do the internship as part of your graduate program.

If you will be working in jobs which require a medical exam, such as working with children or seniors, in healthcare settings, clinical laboratories or in agriculture, you must complete a medical exam and have the right conditions on your work permit before starting your position. Learn more about medical exams.

Make sure you’re eligible to work on your co-op work permit

Before you begin co-op work, you must meet all of the following requirements:

  • You have a valid study permit and a valid co-op work permit, or you have applied to extend both your study permit and co-op work permit before they expired and have maintained status.
    • If you applied for a co-op work permit and are waiting for it to be processed, see “If you’ve applied for the co-op work permit and are waiting for it to be processed” accordion below.
  • You are enrolled in a co-op, practicum, or internship course, in which case you are considered full-time for immigration purposes.
  • You have a valid Social Insurance Number, or you had a SIN and are on maintained status.
  • You have a work permit with conditions allowing you to work in jobs which require a medical exam, if applicable.

Other considerations

You may also wish to consider the following:

  • If you plan to work in jobs which require a medical exam, such as working with children or in healthcare settings, you must have taken a medical exam and have the right conditions on your co-op work permit before starting your co-op placement, internship, or practicum.
  • If you are doing volunteer or unpaid work, this can still be considered work in Canada, and would require a co-op work permit if it’s required for your program.
  • You are not allowed to work in jobs at risk of exploitation.

Learn how your enrollment impacts immigration, including work eligibility.

If you are eligible to work on or off campus from your study permit, you can start your program-required work (co-op, internship, or practicum) with your on- or off-campus work eligibility. If you are eligible to work on or off campus, you can work during regular academic sessions (up to a maximum of 24 hours per week for all positions off-campus combined or on-campus unlimited hours—20 hours before Nov 8, 2024), and you can work during scheduled breaks full-time on or off campus. Note that if your program-required work is full-time off-campus during academic terms, you would be limited to working 24 hours a week (20 hours before Nov 8, 2024). You must be registered in a co-op, practicum, or internship course for your program required work.

However, if you will work in a job which requires a medical exam, such as working with children or in health-care settings, you must wait until you’ve received your co-op work permit with the right conditions before starting.

If your program-required work is starting soon and it is full-time off-campus but you have not received your work permit yet, contact International Student Advising for support.

There is no limit to the number of hours you can work on co-op terms.

You cannot start your co-op work until:

  • You meet the above eligibility requirements.
  • You’ve received your co-op work permit, or you are eligible to work while you are waiting for your co-op work permit.
  • Your co-op work term has begun.
  • You are enrolled in a co-op placement, practicum or internship course.

You must stop working immediately if you no longer meet the above requirements. For example, do not work if your study permit and co-op work permit expire and you did not apply to extend it. 

Furthermore, you cannot use your co-op work permit for any employment other than a co-op, internship or practicum required for your program. You cannot continue using your co-op work permit after the end of your co-op, internship, or practicum term, even if it is still valid.

If you are finishing your program on a co-op term, after your co-op requirements have finished, you can only work up to 24 hours per week (20 hours before Nov 8, 2024) based on your off-campus work eligibility, even if you continue to work for the same employer. You could also work on campus. Make sure you meet the requirements to work on- or off-campus. You must stop working once your letter of completion becomes available.

Co-op work permits are separate from the eligibility to work on and off campus and can only be used for work required for your program.

If you are enrolled in a co-op, practicum, or internship course, you are considered full-time for immigration purposes. You may work on a co-op work permit during your co-op term and also work on and/or off campus in addition to your co-op position at the same time if you meet the criteria for each.

How to apply for a co-op work permit

Applying from inside Canada

  • Co-op work permit application tutorial
    Your co-op work permit will usually match the expiry date of your study permit. If your study permit does not expire soon, apply for a co-op work permit only.
  • Extending your permit
    If your study permit expires soon, you can apply for a co-op work permit at the same time you apply to extend your study permit, usually 3 to 4 months before your study permit expires.

Before submitting your application

Complete the Canvas application review course to go over required documents, learn how to fill out the form, avoid common mistakes, and be ready to submit your application.
 
If your mailing address changes after submitting your application, be sure to update it via IRCC’s webform as soon as possible.

As of Dec 23, 2024, it is no longer possible for most students to apply for a co-op work permit at the Canada-US border through “flagpoling”. US citizens, lawful US permanent residents as well as some individuals can still apply for a co-op work permit at the border.

Applying from outside Canada

If you are new to your program and already have a letter from your program stating you have a required co-op, practicum, or internship, you can apply for your initial study permit from outside Canada and your co-op work permit together in one application. Review the initial study permit tutorial to prepare your application. In the questionnaire, you will need to indicate “yes” to the question about co-op work and upload your co-op letter in your document checklist. 

If you already have a study permit and are temporarily abroad during your program, in general, it is best to wait until you return to Canada and submit your co-op work permit application from inside Canada. Review the Canvas application course for more information.

If you are exempt from a Temporary Resident Visa or are a US citizen or lawful US permanent resident, you can apply in person at the airport or border-crossing when you enter Canada. You will need to bring all original documents and the application form with you to apply on arrival. If you are from an eTA expansion country, you are not eligible to apply for a work permit upon entry to Canada. See full details of who can apply upon entry. 

After you receive your co-op work permit

  1. Check the estimated processing times online, but note that these times are not guaranteed and are updated weekly.
  2. After you receive or extend your co-op work permit, apply for or extend your Social Insurance Number (SIN).
  3. About 3 to 4 months before your study permit and co-op work permit expire, extend both permits with one study permit extension application.

International Student Guide

Find everything you need to know about life as an international student at UBC’s Vancouver campus.

View the guide

If you have questions

You can connect with International Student Advising for questions related to immigration, health insurance, and life as an international student in Canada.

The information on this page may change

The immigration information on this page has been reviewed and endorsed by Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) or Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs) in compliance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations. However, this is not a legal document and information may change without notice. Always refer to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the most up-to-date information.