Co-op Work Permit

Key points: 

• A co-op work permit is required for all work placements in Canada that are degree requirements, regardless if they're called a co-op, internship, practicum, capstone, milestone, or applied research project; paid or unpaid, and on campus or off campus.
• A valid study permit is required to apply for a co-op work permit unless both permits are being applied for or extended together.
• A Social Insurance Number is also required for all work in Canada.
• You don't need a job offer to apply for the co-op work permit.
• You cannot use your co-op work permit for work that is not degree-required.
• Approved co-op work permits are mailed to the Canadian mailing address that you provide in the application form.
• The co-op work permit application is free.
• If you apply for an extension before your current study permit and co-op permit expires, you will have maintained status. Maintained status allows you to continue studying and/or working at your co-op job in Canada until a decision is made on your application, as long as you remain in Canada. Please note: If you leave Canada while your application is being processed but after your permits are expired, then you will lose your maintained status and must wait until you receive the approval of your permits before resuming any studies and/or co-op work in Canada.
• University of Waterloo is listed as the employer on co-op work permits to indicate you can work for any employer that the University approves as a degree-required work placement.
• You can check estimated application processing times on the IRCC website.

1. Go to the Government of Canada’s website and create/sign into your IRCC account.
2. Under 'start an application' in your online account, select 'apply to come to Canada'.
3. Under 'determine your eligibility and apply online', select ‘visitor visa, study and/or work permit’, and answer the eligibility questions to generate the document checklist. 

Watch our videos to have one of our immigration consultants walk you through the application process and required documents. 

If you need to extend both your study permit and co-op work permit, review the study permit application video.  

1. Application form IMM5710​​
   • You need to download the form from your online document checklist and open it with Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can download it for free. 
   • Please use this IMM 5710 form template containing additional instructions on how to complete specific sections.
   • The application form is not signed when applying online. Make sure you re-validate and re-save the form after making any changes.
   • We recommend including an alternative secure mailing address if you are going to be moving from your current residential address within six months following your application submission or if you have issues receiving mail at your current address. If you are looking for a secure mailing address, please scroll to the bottom of this webpage for details on how to have your permit(s) sent to the International Experience Centre (IEC) in Needles Hall.

2. Request a co-op letter in WaterlooWorks by following the instructions below IF you are:

   • an undergrad student in a co-op program 
   • a graduate student in Economics, Econ Water, English, Political Science (MA/PhD), Public Service, Sociology, Architecture, ECE, MASc, MMSc, MEng (Chem. Eng.), Applied Math, Computational Math, Computer Science, or MDSAI, or unless otherwise informed by your department that your program is a co-op program 
   1. Log into WaterlooWorks 

   2. Select 'Submit a form' 

   3. Under 'Category', select 'International' 

   4. Select 'Letter of support’ - Canadian co-op work permit application/extension for international visa students' under 'Sub-category' 

   5. Read the instructions, answer the questions under 'Details', then click 'Submit' 

   6. Graduate student in any other program: request a university-produced proof of enrolment letter with co-op letter statements from The Centre 

3. Passport scans

   • Include the biographical page and all pages that include content from Canada or another country: e.g. stamps, visas, or markings. 

   • Include your current study permit and co-op work permit (if applicable).

   • If you have renewed a passport since beginning your studies in Canada, include the past passport(s) with the newest passport first in the file. 

   • All images will need to be merged into 1 file which must be less than 4MB.

4. Digital photo of you taken in the last six months that meets the requirements. 
5. Proof of immigration medical exam 
   • A medical exam is required if you were outside of Canada in one or more of the designated countries in the last year for a minimum of six months or if you want to work in one of the listed occupations. 
6. Schedule 1 (only if you answered the IMM5710 Background Information questions 3-6 with yes)
7. Letter of explanation or any additional documents (if applicable)
8. Biometrics
   • Biometrics collection is required for in-Canada temporary residence applications, if you have not completed biometrics in the past. 
   • If you have not provided biometrics before, you will need to select “no” when answering the questionnaire question regarding biometrics and pay the $85 biometrics fee. After submitting your application, you will receive a Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL) in your online IRCC account with further information on how and where to provide your biometrics 
   • If you have provided biometrics to Canada in the past, use the check status tool to find out if your biometrics are still valid. 
   • NOTE: although biometrics are valid for 10 years, and although you had completed biometrics in the past, if the status tool indicates that your biometrics are NOT valid, we recommend that you still select “no” when answering the questionnaire question regarding biometrics and pay the $85 fee for biometrics and complete biometrics for your application. 
   • Your status documents will not be issued beyond a biometrics expiry date. If your biometrics are expiring in the near future, and the biometrics validity does not encompass the full duration of your temporary residence application, we recommend that you still pay for biometrics and complete biometrics for your application. 
   • Please book an appointment with us for assistance! 

IRCC can ask for any other documents throughout the application process.