Co-op and internship programs
As an international student, can I take part in student work placements, such as co-ops or internships?
Post-secondary students
Yes, you can participate in student work placements if
- you’re a post-secondary international student studying full-time at a designated learning institution, and
- your study program includes student work placements as part of your curriculum
Learn more about who is eligible for student work placements.
Secondary students
If you’re an international student at a designated learning institution at the secondary level, you need a co-op work permit to participate in student work placements.
Learn more about who’s eligible for co-op work permits.
There’s a specific employment location on my co-op or post-graduation work permit. Can I work somewhere else?
It depends on where the employment location information is on your work permit.
If the location is under Additional Information
You can work in any location across Canada. You don’t need to apply to change your work permit. If you have a co-op work permit, your work must be required to complete your study program.
Figure 1. Employment location information under the “Additional Information” section of a sample work permit.
If the location is under Conditions or Remarks/Observations
You must work at the location on your permit. You must apply to change the conditions of your work permit if you want to work in a different location. To do this, you’ll need to apply for a new work permit from within Canada. Select “Inside Canada” to find out how you can apply for your new permit. Include a letter explaining why you need the condition removed from your work permit with your application.
Figure 2. Employment location information under the “Conditions” section of a sample work permit.
There’s a specific occupation on my co-op or post-graduation work permit. Can I work in a different field?
It depends on where the occupation information is on your work permit.
If the occupation is under Additional Information
You can work in any field. You don’t need to apply to change your work permit. If you have a co-op work permit, your work must be required to complete your study program.
Figure 1. Occupation information under the “Additional Information” section of a sample work permit.
If the occupation is under Conditions or Remarks/Observations
You must work in the field listed on your permit. You must apply to change the conditions of your work permit if you want to work in a different occupation. To do this, you’ll need to apply for a new work permit from within Canada. Select “Inside Canada” to find out how you can apply for your new permit. Include a letter explaining why you need the condition removed from your work permit with your application.
Figure 2. Occupation information under the “Conditions” section of a sample work permit.
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