You must first be admitted to a co-op program. If you were admitted directly into a co-op program, you should apply at the same time as you apply for your initial study permit. In all other cases, you should apply as soon as you are admitted into co-op and have your co-op work permit letter from your co-op program office.

Co-op work permits can be requested as part of an initial study permit application, as part of a study permit extension, or on its own. All applications should be made online. See IRCC’s work as a co-op student or intern for details.

With an Initial Study Permit Application

If you are a new student and your co-op is in your letter of acceptance to Brock, you should apply at the same time as you apply for your initial study permit. If this is not in your letter of acceptance, you will need to apply for a co-op work permit after arriving in Canada and being admitted into the co-op program.

Tips:

• In your study plan, you should explain that your program requires you to take co-op, point out where this is indicated in your letter of acceptance and request a co-op work permit along with your study permit.
• When you arrive at the border, you should be issued both a study permit and a co-op work permit. If the Officer forgets to print your co-op work permit, you should ask them about this before leaving the desk.

With a Study Permit Extension Application

If your study permit is expiring within 6 months, you can apply to extend your study permit and request a co-op work permit at the same time.

Applying for Only a Co-op Work Permit

If your study permit isn’t expiring soon (within 6 months), you should apply for a co-op work permit on its own as soon as you receive your co-op work permit letter from your co-op program office.

If you are applying at the same time as your initial study permit, your letter of acceptance must state that your program includes experiential work.

If you are applying after arriving in Canada, the main documents you will need to apply for a co-op work permit are:

• Co-op work permit letter confirming that you are in a co-op program which requires you to work and is integral to your studies. Contact your co-op program office to request your co-op work permit letter.
• If you plan to work with children, with the elderly or with patients, you may need to take an immigration medical exam. Include a letter of explanation specifically asking for your work permit to indicate that you may work in these occupations. You cannot start the position unless you have a condition allowing you to work in these fields

Note: A job offer is not required for a co-op work permit. Leave that information blank in your application.

Any work that you do with your co-op work permit must be approved by your co-op program office, including the number of hours.

If you are eligible to also work on campus and/or off campus, immigration law does not prevent you from doing so. However, your co-op work must be your first priority. Make to check with your co-op program office before accepting any additional work hours outside your co-op.

Your co-op cannot exceed 50% of your study program.

Ideally, you should have your co-op work permit before you start your first co-op work term. However, you may be eligible to work under the conditions of your study permit while you wait for a decision on your co-op work permit. See exemption code C32 eligibility for more information. See also Working On Campus and Working Off Campus.

Yes, students registered in a co-op work term are considered full-time students. You must have both a valid study permit and a valid co-op work permit while you are participating in co-op work terms.