Do international students need a co-op work permit in Canada?
No — not anymore. Since 1 April 2026, post-secondary international students no longer need a separate co-op work permit for mandatory work placements. The study permit itself now covers internships, co-ops, and practicums that are required by your programme. Secondary school students still need a co-op work permit, and ESL/FSL students remain ineligible.
After graduation, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) gives you up to 3 years of open work rights — you can work for any employer, in any occupation, without sponsorship. Master’s graduates from eligible programmes get up to 3 years regardless of programme length, as long as the programme was at least 8 months.
This page is part of our broader guide to internships for international students, which compares work authorisation across the US, UK, France, Canada, and Germany.
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The April 1, 2026 co-op work permit change
On 9 April 2026, IRCC published a notice confirming that eligible post-secondary international students no longer need a separate co-op work permit for work placements required by their programme. The study permit itself authorises these placements.
What changed:
- Post-secondary international students no longer need a co-op work permit for mandatory work placements.
- The study permit now covers required co-op, internship, or practicum placements.
- Students with pending co-op work permit applications do not need to take action — IRCC automatically withdraws all eligible and active applications.
- If you already hold a co-op work permit, it remains valid until expiry. It is no longer required for new placements.
Eligibility conditions
To use the study permit for a mandatory placement, IRCC requires:
- You are a post-secondary international student at a designated learning institution (DLI).
- The work placement is required by your programme, as confirmed in writing by your DLI.
- The placement is part of the programme, not an optional add-on.
Note: IRCC’s notice does not state a specific percentage threshold. Third-party sources have circulated a “50% of total programme length” figure, but that wording is not in IRCC’s published notice. For the definitive rule on your programme, ask your DLI’s international student office in writing.
Who still needs a separate work permit?
| Student type | Needs co-op work permit? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Post-secondary at a DLI, placement required by programme | No | Study permit covers it. Get written confirmation from your DLI. |
| Secondary school student | Yes | Still needs a co-op work permit for work placements. |
| ESL / FSL student | Not eligible | Language-training students are excluded from the co-op exemption. |
| Post-secondary, placement is optional (not required by programme) | Yes (or off-campus work rules apply) | Optional placements fall under the 24-hour off-campus work cap during term time. |
Study permit work rules — off-campus and term-time limits
Separately from the co-op rules, your study permit also authorises off-campus work under fixed limits.
- Off-campus during term time: up to 24 hours per week (2026 rule).
- During scheduled breaks: full-time hours allowed.
- On-campus work: no hourly limit while you hold a valid study permit.
- Co-op/internship placements required by your programme: full-time hours allowed and not counted against the 24-hour cap.
If your placement is remote or has a cross-border element, the physical-location rule applies: work performed while physically in Canada counts toward the Canadian rules, even if the employer is abroad. See our remote internships guide for the three scenarios.
PGWP — Post-Graduation Work Permit
The PGWP is an open work permit — you can work for any employer, in any occupation, without sponsorship. It is not tied to a specific job offer.
| Programme length | PGWP duration |
|---|---|
| Less than 8 months | Not eligible |
| 8 months to less than 2 years | Same length as the programme (minimum 8 months) |
| 2 years or more | Up to 3 years |
| Master’s degree, 8 months or more | Up to 3 years (for applications on or after 15 Feb 2024, degree-granting programmes) |
Additional PGWP conditions
- Language test: required for PGWP applications (varies by programme).
- Field-of-study rule: non-degree programmes must be in an eligible field of study.
- Permit length cannot exceed passport validity. If your passport expires before the PGWP would end, the permit is shortened accordingly.
- Study permit validity: your study permit must have been valid at some point during the 180-day application window.
How to apply for the PGWP
- Complete your programme and receive written confirmation of completion (final transcript or completion letter).
- Apply within 180 days of the written confirmation. The clock starts on the date of the completion letter or transcript, whichever comes first.
- Your study permit must have been valid at some point during that 180-day window.
- Submit the application online through IRCC’s portal with required documents.
- Pay the application fee and, if applicable, the biometrics fee.
- Wait for processing. You can usually work full-time while waiting, if you meet the conditions for maintained status.
Planning tip: Apply for the PGWP as early as you can within the 180-day window. Processing times vary by country and season, and you can’t extend the PGWP once it’s issued.
If you’re weighing the PGWP against other countries’ post-study routes, see our UK Graduate Route guide (18 months from 1 Jan 2027), Germany 18-month job-search permit, and France 12-month job-search permit.
Common mistakes
Frequently asked questions
Do international students need a co-op work permit in Canada?
What changed on April 1, 2026 for co-op work permits?
Who still needs a co-op work permit after April 2026?
How long is a PGWP valid for?
Can I use PGWP for an internship?
How long do I have to apply for the PGWP?
How many hours can I work on a study permit?
Can I extend a PGWP?
Related guides
Internships for International Students
The hub — work authorisation and post-study rights across the US, UK, France, Canada, and Germany.
CPT vs OPT for F-1 students
The 12-month full-time CPT rule, tax treatment, unemployment limits, and worked examples.
UK internship visa and Graduate Route
Graduate Route 18-month change, GAE visa, and student work rights during term.
France internship visa and convention de stage
VLS-TS étudiant vs stagiaire, the three-party convention de stage, and 2026 gratification rates.
Germany internship visa
The 140/280-day work rule, mandatory vs voluntary internships, and the €13.90/hr minimum wage.
Remote internships for international students
Same-country, cross-border, and home-country scenarios — visas, tax, and work authorisation.
Paid vs unpaid internships
Legality by country — including Canada’s provincial employment standards.
Sources
Christian Chinonso is the founder of LearnViaHub, with 6+ years of research experience in international education — including GPA systems, scholarships, student financing, and study-abroad guidance — for students worldwide.