Download the Student Handout information sheet for Co-op/Internship Work Permit here.

If you are a returning international student and you wish to book an appointment with an International Student Advisor regarding immigration matters, etc. please use our appointment booking link to book a virtual meeting or face-to-face meeting.

Most Up-to-Date Information

Disclaimer: This immigration information was updated in December 2025 and is accurate as of the date of publication.

Information on this page has been reviewed by Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCIC) and Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIA) in compliance with the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Please be aware that this is not a legal document and information may sometimes change without notice. For the most up-to-date information about Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) please refer to the IRCC website at: canada.ca/immigration or call 1-888-242-2100.

It is the international student’s responsibility to know the rules and regulations that apply to their status in Canada.

Co-op/Internship Work Permit (IRCC Requirement)

Co-op/Internship Work Permit is a work permit that authorizes international students to complete work that is a requirement of their academic program. International students must have the co-op/internship work permit in order to begin their work requirement even if the work is paid or unpaid, full-time or part-time, on-campus or off-campus. The permit is free but necessary.

Examples include:

NOTE: the study permit indicating that the student may work on or off-campus cannot be used for co-op programs or other types of work required by the program.

Learn more from the IRCC webpage on work as a co-op student or intern.

NOTE

The study permit indicating that the student may work on or off-campus is not intended to be used for co-op programs or other types of work required by the program.

You may use your study permit work eligibility to complete your work requirement while your co-op/internship work permit application is in process, only if the program work requirement is either:

• Less than 24 hours per week off-campus OR
• Is on campus

This information is found on the IRCC website. If you will not receive your co-op/internship work permit prior to starting an off-campus placement that is more than 24 hours per week, contact an International Student Advisor to explore options.

Different Types of Work Requirements

Co-op Programs: The Co-op Program is one way students can get hands-on experience, in their fields of study. Co-op is a program in which classroom instruction is alternated with semester(s) of paid work placement related to a student’s field of study. See a list of Algonquin College programs that offer co-op work term(s) on the Cooperative Education website.

Other Types of Work Requirements: Many programs include work requirements that are paid or unpaid, full-time or part-time,
on-campus or off-campus. These are NOT Co-op programs.

Steps to Apply for the Co-op/Internship Work Permit

The letter of acceptance will indicate if your program includes a work requirement. This can be used to support the co-op/internship work permit application.

Steps If You Have Not Applied for a Study Permit

If a student has not yet applied for their initial study permit, they can apply for the co-op/internship work permit at the same time as the study permit. The letter of acceptance (LOA) should indicate that there is a work requirement that is part of the program of study. The LOA can be uploaded twice in the study permit application portal to support both permits – the study permit and the co-op/internship work permit. Both permits will be processed together.

Steps If You Have Already Applied for A Study Permit

Step 1: Create an online IRCC secure account.

Step 2: Choose the visit, study or work option and answer the questions to get to the application and documents required. At the end of the questionnaire, you must indicate yes, that the payment will be made with a credit card even though the application for the co-op/internship work permit is free.

Step 3: Upload the required documents and follow the next steps. A confirmation email from IRCC will be sent to the IRCC account.

Need further assistance with your application? Please contact the IEC.

Documents to Support Your In-Canada Application

Co-op Students – Refer to the Cooperative Education website to confirm your program includes co-op.

Important

The co-op/internship work permit can only be used for work that is essential to the program of study. The work permit is a paper document that will likely list Algonquin College as the employer and/or that work cannot form more than 50% of the study permit. This is the indicator that the work permit is for work that is essential to your program only. The study permit may authorize on- or off-campus work. The study permit does not authorize work that is essential to your studies. International students who are enrolled in a Co-op program, or not but require essential work experience in their program of study, must apply for the co-op/ internship work permit.

International Education Centre (IEC)

The IEC is located in room C021. Our on-campus services are by appointment only. Current international students can submit immigration questions through the Ask the International Education Centre case system. Students can also book a face-to-face or virtual appointment. Click here to contact us or to schedule a meeting.

You may also wish to visit our events calendar to register for upcoming immigration workshops and events.

The IEC is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.