On April 9, 2026, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that, effective April 1, 2026, international students who meet certain conditions, no longer require a Co-op/Internship Work Permit to complete work required by their academic program (including work that is paid or unpaid, part-time or full-time, and on or off-campus).

To meet these conditions, you must:

  • Be a full-time student in a program that is a minimum of 6 months long and leads to a certificate, diploma, or degree;
  • Have a valid study permit or applied to extend your study permit before expiry;
  • Have a letter of acceptance that confirms that your program includes a work requirement and that the work does not form more than 50% of your study program; and
  • Have a condition on the study permit that says you may accept work on-campus.

You can’t participate in a student work placement if you’re taking any of the following:

  • English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
  • Introduction to Canadian Healthcare Studies (ICHS)
  • General interest courses
  • Courses to prepare for another study program

Where You Can Work and Who You Can Work For

Where: Your work-integrated learning (WIL) can take place on-campus and/or off-campus.

Who: You can work for any employer that is approved by your academic and/or co-op team.

If your student work placement is in a hospital, childcare setting or where public health protection is essential, you must have completed an immigration medical exam (IME)

Have Questions?

Connect with an IEC International Student Advisor if you require assistance.