Work as a Co-op Student or Intern in Canada

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.

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.

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.