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 co-op permit (and therefore study permit as well) expires, you will have maintained status to continue working at your co-op job in Canada after your old co-op work permit expires until a decision is made on your application as long as you remain in Canada. If you leave Canada while your application is being processed and are outside of Canada with an expired co-op work permit, you will lose your maintained status to work at your co-op jobs. You must ensure that you have a valid entry visa (TRV) or eTA (electronic travel authorization) before re-entering Canada. If you then re-enter Canada, you cannot work on any co-op term until the co-op work permit extension application has been approved.
• 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 instructions and 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. 
   • The application form is not signed when applying online. Make sure you re-validate and re-save the form after making any changes.
   • If you are an undergraduate or graduate student in a co-op program, you can have your co-op work permit mailed to Co-operative Education on campus. Only co-op work permits (or both a co-op work permit and study permit extension together) can be mailed to Co-operative Education. Under 'current mailing address' you would provide the following information:
     • Street no.: 200
     • Street name: University Avenue West, c/o International, Tatham Centre
     • City/Town: Waterloo
     • Country or Territory: Canada
     • Province: ON
     • Postal code: N2L 3G1
   • 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.

2. Co-op letter (if you are in a co-op program and also applying for the co-op work permit) 

   • All undergrad students plus graduate students 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: request a co-op letter in WaterlooWorks by following the instructions below.  

     • Log into WaterlooWorks 

     • Select 'Submit a form' 

     • Under 'Category', select 'International' 

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

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

   • 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

• As of February 23, 2023, biometrics collection has resumed for in-Canada temporary residence applications
• If you have not given biometrics before, you will need to pay the $85 biometrics fee
• After submitting your study permit 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.

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