Work Authorization Exemption - Eligible International Students

As of April 1, 2026, eligible post-secondary international students no longer need a separate work permit to participate in student work placements required by their program, such as co-op placements and internships. Students may work for employers approved by their designated learning institution as part of their program requirements.

Secondary students still need a co-op work permit to participate in student work placements .

You can participate in student work placements as a post-secondary student if you meet all of the following conditions: * You have conditions printed on your initial study permit that say you’re allowed to work on campus. * You have a letter from your DLI that confirms the work placement is a requirement of your study program. * You have a valid study permit or you applied to extend your study permit before it expired. * You’re a full-time student at a DLI in a post-secondary academic, vocational or professional training program. * Secondary students have different requirements for co-op participation. Check secondary student co-op participation requirements . * The work placement of your study program totals 50% or less of your study program.

Student work placements are work experiences that are required for your study program and approved by your designated learning institution (DLI). They can include but aren’t limited to * co-op placements * internships * practicums * mentorship programs Student work placements are for students studying at a Canadian DLI. They aren’t for students studying at schools outside of Canada.

You can’t participate in a student work placement if you’re taking one of the following: * English or French as a second language courses * general interest courses * courses to prepare for another study program * courses at an institution outside of Canada

You can participate in student work placements as a post-secondary student if you meet all of the following conditions: * You have conditions printed on your initial study permit that say you’re allowed to work on campus. * You have a letter from your DLI that confirms the work placement is a requirement of your study program. * You have a valid study permit or you applied to extend your study permit before it expired. * You’re a full-time student at a DLI in a post-secondary academic, vocational or professional training program. * Secondary students have different requirements for co-op participation. Check secondary student co-op participation requirements . * The work placement of your study program totals 50% or less of your study program.

If you’re studying part-time in your final semester but you studied full-time during each previous semester, you can continue to work if you meet all other requirements.

There’s no fee to add these conditions to your permit.

## Where you can work and who you can work for You can work for any employer that’s accepted by your school’s student work placement program, even if they’re off campus. You need to have a medical exam if your student work placement is at a hospital or other place where the protection of public health is important, unless you’ve already had one. ## How many hours you can participate in student work placements There is no weekly hour limit to participate in student work placements. However, your work placement can’t total more than 50% of your study program.

You must stop participating in your student work placement * on the day you stop studying full-time unless you’re in your final semester * when your study permit expires * if you’re on an authorized leave from your studies * if you’re switching schools and aren’t currently studying You can return to your student work placement if * you start studying again, and * you still meet all the requirements to work in a student work placement

Co-op work permit holders can keep using their permit for its entire validity.

You must stop participating in your student work placement * on the day you stop studying full-time unless you’re in your final semester * when your study permit expires * if you’re on an authorized leave from your studies * if you’re switching schools and aren’t currently studying You can return to your student work placement if * you start studying again, and * you still meet all the requirements to work in a student work placement

If you applied for a co-op work permit but don’t need one with the new requirements: * You can withdraw your application. * We may withdraw your application and send a letter which explains that you don’t need a co-op work permit to participate in a student work permit.

## Post-graduation work permit You may be able to stay and work in Canada after you graduate by getting a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) . PGWP eligibility depends on several requirements, including when you submit your study permit application. If you’re interested, check the requirements before you submit your study permit application. Check if the DLI you choose offers PGWP-eligible programs. PGWP eligibility requirements PGWP has 3 sets of eligibility requirements: * general eligibility requirements, * For example, you must complete an eligible program of study at a PGWP-eligible DLI * eligibility requirements based on your study program * These may include language or field of study requirements. * eligibility requirements based on your physical location If your level of study has a field of study requirement, you should make sure your program meets the eligibility requirement before you submit your study permit application. Learn more about PGWP eligibility requirements .