About co-op work permits

If you are enrolled in a program in which work experience is an integral part of your studies, you may participate in a co-op or internship program.  You are required to have a co-op work permit before you start your work term in a co-op program.  For the entire length of your co-op work term you must have a valid study permit and a valid co-op work permit. 

Eligibility

You can apply for a co-op work permit if:

  • you have a valid study permit
  • work is required to complete your study program in Canada
  • you have a letter (often referred to as a co-op letter) from your college/departmmet that confirms all students in your program need to complete work placements to get their degree, and
  • your co-op placement or internship totals 50% or less of your study program
If you are going to work in Canada, you will need to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) at Service Canada.

 

Temporary policy on co-op work permits and off-campus work authorization

Certain students may not need to apply for a co-op work permit depending on the date IRCC received their study permit application. For more detailed information, please see here. 

Applying for a co-op work permit

Your particular situation will inform how to apply for your co-op work permit: 

  1. If you are in Canada and have a valid study permit, you should apply for your co-op work permit online as soon as you recieve a co-op letter from your college/department.
  2. If you are in Canada and your valid study permit will expire soon, you can apply online for your study permit extension and your co-op work permit at the same time as long as you have your co-op letter from your college/department. Apply for both at least 3-4 months before your study permit expires. 
  3. If you are outside of Canada and applying for your initial study permit, you can apply for your co-op work permit at the same time as long as in additioan to your Usask Letter of Acceptance you have your co-op letter from your college/department. This way, both your study permit and your co-op work permit will be processed at the same time.
In most cases, you must apply online but depending on where you are applying from, paper applications might still be accepted. Before applying, please read and consult IRCC Instructions Guide.

After you receive your co-op work permit

  1. Review the document to make sure your information (name, date of birth and etc) is correct.
  2. Your co-op work permit will normally have "University of Saskatchewan"" indicated as "Employer". 
  3. Make a copy of it and store the original safely. 
  4. Make a note of its expiry date. Your co-op work permit expiry date normally matches the expiry date of your study permit.
  5. Extend both your study permit and co-op work permit at the same time at least 3-4 months before they expire if your co-op work term requires you to be in your co-op beyond the initial expiry date.

Both your study permit and your co-op work permit must be valid for the entire lenght of your co-op term.

The immigration information on this page has been reviewed and endorsed by an immigration lawyer in compliance with the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. However, this is not a legal document and information may change without notice. Always refer to www.cic.gc.ca for the most up-to-date information, or contact ISSAC.

Getting help

Use the International Student Guide to learn about life as an international student at the U of S including immigration matters and information on working and living in Canada.

International Student Guide

If you can't find what you need in the International Student Guide contact The International Student and Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC). We are here to help! Drop-in advising is available.

ISSAC