International Students
International students are welcome to apply for Co-op. If accepted into the Co-op Program international students must:
There is no fee for Work Permit applications within internship or co-op programs.
A copy of the Work Authorization Permit must be submitted to both the work term employer and the Co-op Office prior to the commencement of the work term.
Canadian federal government policy dictates that international students are only allowed to work for federal departments and agencies if no qualified Canadian students are available. No international students may apply for federal government Co-op positions in the regular recruitment process, unless otherwise indicated on the job posting, and must indicate their international student status in their cover letter. No international students will be considered for those jobs requiring secret security clearance within the federal government.
- Obtain a Work Authorization Permit application from the Work Opportunities for Foreign Students page of the Citizen and Immigration Canada website. Down load the Application to Change Conditions, Extend My Stay Or Remain In Canada Form and the Checklist. This permit allows international students to participate in off-campus cooperative education employment.
- Request a letter from the Co-op Office detailing the conditions of Co-op participation and employment. This letter will ask that the Work Authorization Permit be valid until the completion of all three Co-op work terms. It must be included in the above application package.
- Submit the entire package immediately to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, using the correct address provided by the Co-op Office. It can take up to 2 months to process Work Authorization Permit applications.
- Students must have a valid study permit to apply for a Co-op work permit.
There is no fee for Work Permit applications within internship or co-op programs.
A copy of the Work Authorization Permit must be submitted to both the work term employer and the Co-op Office prior to the commencement of the work term.
Canadian federal government policy dictates that international students are only allowed to work for federal departments and agencies if no qualified Canadian students are available. No international students may apply for federal government Co-op positions in the regular recruitment process, unless otherwise indicated on the job posting, and must indicate their international student status in their cover letter. No international students will be considered for those jobs requiring secret security clearance within the federal government.