You need a valid co-op work permit as an international student before starting any practicums, co-op terms, or internships if your program requires or offers these opportunities.
Important note about terminology
When your Camosun program includes required or optional work experience, you'll need what Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) calls a "co-op work permit." This official permit is required for all types of work that are part of your academic program, including:
• Co-op terms
• Internships
• Practicums
• Other work components
While your Camosun program may use specific terms like "practicum" or "internship," IRCC uses "co-op work" as the standard term for all these work experiences.
How to apply based on your situation
Scenario A: You have not yet applied for your initial study permit or study permit extension
If you haven't applied for your study permit yet:
- You can apply for both study and co-op permits at the same time
- Your Camosun Letter of Acceptance (LOA) must have co‑op/internship/practicum notation for your program (please check box/field #24 of LOA).
New students: We do not issue additional co-op/internship letters to new students. When applying for your first Camosun study permit with a valid Letter of Acceptance, please include a note asking the visa officer to check box 24 of your official Letter of Acceptance. This box contains the required work component notation for your program (if applicable).
Important: After you begin your classes at Camosun, you still need to contact an International Academic Advisor to discuss your study plan and connect with an Employment Facilitator to discuss your applicable work experience.
Scenario B: You've applied for your study permit
(1) If you're outside Canada:
- You can’t submit a co-op work permit application separately from your study permit application if you’re applying from outside Canada
- If your study permit application is still being processed, you can use the IRCC web form to submit a new letter of acceptance showing the mandatory work component and specifically request that a co-op work permit be issued together with your study permit.
(2) If you're already in Canada and your study permit is valid:
- You must apply for a separate co-op work permit through a standalone online application
- Follow the Camosun-specific steps below before applying
- Complete the online application for co-op work permit through your IRCC account
Co-op work permit changes
As of December 23, 2024, most students must apply for co-op work permits online, not at the Canadian border or through "flagpoling."Exceptions who can still apply at the border include:
• U.S.A. citizens
• U.S.A. permanent residents
• Other eligible individuals.
Camosun-specific preparation steps for students in Canada
The following steps are only for students in Scenario B(2):
you are already in Canada with a valid study permit.
If you are a new student, please see Scenario A.
The steps for applying for a separate co-op work permit from inside Canada depend on your program's work component.
If your program has co-op or internship terms
Before your application, you must:
connect with the International Academic Advisor via international_advisors@camosun.ca to discuss your study plan
connect with one of our Employment Facilitators for international & Indigenous students, Karena Dachsel at dachselk@camosun.ca or Christina Lafleur at lafleurc@camosun.ca to discuss co-op (or book an appointment with one of them via Education That Works)
request for a co-op work permit support letter from the Co-op and Career office (please enter your information on the online form as it is written in your LOA so that there is consistent information)
find your Letter of Acceptance that was sent by the International Admissions
After you receive the Co-op work permit email EducationThatWorks@camosun.ca a copy of your permit. It gets uploaded into your file.
Note: Check with your Employment Facilitator to confirm if co-op is mandatory in your program.
If your program has practicum term(s)
Note: A practicum at Camosun is different from a co-op or internship academically. However, you'll still need what Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) calls a "co-op work permit."
Before your application, you must:
connect with the International Academic Advisor via international_advisors@camosun.ca to discuss your study plan
connect with your program’s Practicum coordinator, Program Leader or Chair, for practicum details
request a Practicum Letter through the International Student Letter Request form (please enter your information on the online form as it is written in your Letter of Acceptance (LOA) so that there is consistent information)
find your Letter of Acceptance that was sent by the International Admissions
After you receive the work permit email international_advisors@camosun.ca a copy of your permit to be uploaded into your file.
Medical exam requirements for co-op work permits
Understanding medical exam requirements
You may need to complete a medical exam before applying for your co-op work permit. This requirement applies if you:
- Have lived or travelled in certain countries for six months or more during the past year
- Will work in fields where you have close contact with people, such as healthcare, childcare, or education
For more detailed information, please visit the Government of Canada website.
Students in health and human services programs
If you are participating in practicums and work terms (both paid and unpaid) in health and human services programs, you must complete a medical exam and have the right conditions on your co-op work permit before starting your work term.
These requirements apply because:
Your integrated learning work terms include close contact with people
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires medical exams for jobs where public health protection is important
Without completing the required medical exam, your work permit will include conditions that restrict you from working in these settings.
For more detailed information, please visit the Government of Canada website.
Students in other programs
Even if your program (such as business, IT, or engineering) is not related to health and human services, you still need a medical exam if your co-op placement will be in:
Healthcare facilities
Childcare settings
Primary or secondary schools
Other similar jobs
Without completing the required medical exam, your work permit will include restrictions that prohibit you from working in these environments. This may make you ineligible for your planned co-op placement.
Exemptions for in-Canada applications
There are some exemptions available under a temporary public policy for applications made within Canada. For details about these exemptions, please visit the Government of Canada website.
If you have questions about whether you need a medical exam for your specific situation, we encourage you to contact us for guidance.
If you don't complete a medical exam
If you apply for your study permit or work permit without completing a required medical exam (and you are not exempt), your immigration document will have restrictions. Your document will include this condition:
Not authorized to work in childcare, primary/secondary school teaching, health field occupations.
If you later need to work in these fields, you can remove this restriction by:
- Completing an immigration medical exam with an approved physician
- Applying for a new study or work permit to update your conditions
- Paying the required application fees
We encourage you to complete your medical exam before applying if you plan to work or have placements in healthcare, childcare, or schools. This saves time and prevents problems with your co-op placement later.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I am eligible to for the Co‑op Work Permit?
Who is eligible: 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 from your school that confirms all students in your program need to complete work placements to get their credential, and,
your co-op placement or internship totals 50% or less of your study program.
Who's not eligible: You can not apply for a Co-op Work Permit if
you are enrolled in English or French as a second language (ESL/FSL),
general interest courses, or
courses to prepare for another study program.
Do I need to pay for the Co-op Work Permit application?
No. There is no fee required for a Co-op Work Permit.
When should I apply for the Co-op Work Permit?
If you are an international student and you wish to participate in a Co-op or Internship work term, or your program has a Practicum component, you must obtain a Co-op Work Permit before the start date of your co-op, internship term or practicum(s).
If you are applying for your initial study permit from outside Canada and your program has mandatory practicum, co-op or internship, we recommend you apply for the co-op work permit at the same time.
If you are already in Canada, you can apply for it along with your study permit extension or as a separate application if you already hold a valid study permit. (Students who may apply for the initial study permit within Canada, please visit here.)
If you don’t have the Co-op Work Permit you should apply for it at least 6 months before your co-op/internship starts.
Note: Always check the expiry date of your Study Permit and Passport. The expiry date of your passport affects the expiry date of your Study Permit, and the expiry date of the Study Permit impacts the expiry date of your Co-op Work Permit.
What documents do I need for my application?
Depending on whether you are a new student or a current student, your application portal may ask for different documents. But generally, you may need to provide:
A Letter of Acceptance (for new students only, this is also called LOA), please check the email sent by International Admissions for your admission at Camosun.
A Letter of Enrollment (for current students only)
A Co-op letter (for current students planning to do co-op or internship)
A valid Passport
Biometrics
Other documents that your portal asks you to submit
Can I work off-campus while I am doing co‑op?
Yes. You may still be able to work off-campus up to 24 hours each week in Regular Terms while you are in a co-op term if you meet the eligibility to work off-campus.
Can I work on‑campus while I am doing co‑op?
Yes. You may still be able to work on-campus without the working hours limit while you are in a co-op term if you meet the eligibility to work on-campus (Please check the hyperlink for the definition of “on-campus” job. Also, please always adjust the working hours of your on/off-campus job so that your co-op job hours won’t be affected).
Can I keep doing my co-op while I wait for my Co‑op Work Permit extension?
Yes, you can. You have maintained status if you complete the Co-op Work Permit extension in Canada before your current one expires and send a confirmation email of applying for a co-op work permit extension to the co-op and career office showing that you have applied to extend your study permit. This will help you keep having access to the co-op job board.
As a temporary resident, you have the right to continue working or studying under the same conditions pending a determination of your application for extension. You will have maintained status only if you remain in Canada.
Reminder: Never let your Co-op Work Permit expire during your co-op work term.
Do I still have maintained status if I leave Canada after I submit my Co-op Work Permit extension application?
No, you don’t. A temporary resident with maintained status who has left Canada, may not resume work or study in Canada until their application for renewal has been granted and must satisfy the border services officer that they have sufficient means of support. Find more information on Government of Canada website.
Port of Entry Co-op work permit changes
As of December 23, 2024, most students must apply for co-op work permits online, not at the Canadian border or through "flagpoling."
Exceptions who can still apply at the border include:
U.S.A. citizens
U.S.A. permanent residents
Other eligible individuals.
Disclaimer: The immigration information on this website is not a legal document and policies may be updated without notice. Always refer to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the most up-to-date information.
Additional resources
- Check the processing times for Co-op Work Permit applications
- Search the IRCC Help page for extensive topics related to your application
- Call the IRCC call centre
- Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS) provides settlement and employment services to international students. It also has an immigration lawyer who can help with immigration-related questions
- The Inter-Cultural Association (ICA) immigration helps international students with immigration-related questions
- Look into working with an authorized representative: Immigration lawyers or RCICs
- How to complete the Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker (IMM 5710)