A co-op work permit is for the student who is taking a special education program that requires them to practice what they have learned while they are getting an education here in Canada.
If an International student is contemplating a program in Canada that requires them to attend a Co-op internship program or work placement, they may apply for a co-op work permit.
Some International Students who are planning on pursuing a program at a DLI or Designated Learning Institute in Canada that may require them to do a mandatory work placement or internship they will have to apply for a Co-op work permit in addition to a Canadian Study Permit. This Co-op work permit is a separate work permit and is not related to the part time work permit that is issued under a Canadian Study permit. They also must be holding a valid study permit to apply for a co-op work permit.
A co-op work permit is only used essentially for the study program related to it. Any other work that a
Co Op Work Permit
If an International student is contemplating a program in Canada that requires them to attend a Co-op internship program or work placement, they may apply for a co-op work permit.
Some International Students who are planning on pursuing a program at a DLI or Designated Learning Institute in Canada that may require them to do a mandatory work placement or internship they will have to apply for a Co-op work permit in addition to a Canadian Study Permit. This Co-op work permit is a separate work permit and is not related to the part time work permit that is issued under a Canadian Study permit. They also must be holding a valid study permit to apply for a co-op work permit.
A co-op work permit is only used essentially for the study program related to it. Any other work that a student undertakes that is not related to the field of study which the co-op permit was issued is covered under the study work permit. Any student who in not sure if he or she needs a co-op study permit should always get advised by his or her program advisor.
Work Experience Essential to the Program of Study
The work experience that is gained through the co-op work permit is essential for the student to get the program credits needed to help the international student graduate.
International students undertaking employment, paid or unpaid, need in order to graduate from the program of study requiring a co-op work permit
They need authorization from the DLI in order to obtain the co-op work in order to begin the work experience
The work cannot be more then half of the educational study
Work experienced gained can be in different forms.
Field work
Clinical work
Practicums
Volunteer work
Internships, paid or unpaid
Eligibility Criteria
International students may be able to be eligible to apply for a co-op work permit if:
They hold a valid study permit
They are enrolled in a study program the requires mandatory work placement in order to obtain the credits need for the program
They have a letter from the educational institution authorizing the work placement and confirming that the work placement is required for the field of studies
There may be other documentation required for the application, it depends on the student’s situation. When the international student has obtained all the necessary documentation, they then can apply for the co-op work permit.
Details of a Co-Op Work Permit
The permit allows the student to work full-time during the semester depending on the conditions outlined by the learning institution placement details
The permit is required even if the work is paid or unpaid
International students can simultaneously have a work permit and student work permit and be able to work under both permits up to its maximum requirements
The co-op work permit is a closed work permit and therefore the student can only work for one specific employer under that permit. The employer is outlined on the permit as the educational institution as the authorizing co-op placement
The work permit will also outline the time that it is used as listed by the educational facility and coordinated by the student’s study timeline.
There are no fees associated with a co-op work permit
A student may apply for a co-op study permit at the same time that they apply for a regular study permit as soon as they meet all the requirements outlined above. They do also have the option to apply for the co-op permit at a later date in their program. However, the best time to apply is when you are applying for your initial study permit because the length of time it is to obtain one and the risk of not having the permit in time of its requirement could cause great problems in the future.