Co-op, internship & work placement
If you have a co-op, internship or work placement as part of your academic program, you do not need a work permit, but you do need to meet some requirements.
What constitutes an internship?
- An internship is any work experience that is a requirement of your studies AND that appears on your transcript whether it is full or part-time and whether it is paid or unpaid irrespective of whether it is called an internship, a practicum, experiential learning, a field or coop placement, etc.
More information on internships is available here.
If your work experience does not appear on your transcript, it is not considered an internship for immigration purposes and it is subject to the regular rules for working off campus
If you have an internship, you must meet all of the following conditions to undertake it
- You have conditions printed on your study permit that say you’re allowed to work on campus.
- You have a letter from 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 registered full-time
- The work placement totals 50% or less of your study program
Letter confirming that a work placement is a part of your studies.
- If your letter of admission states that an internship is a requirement of your studies, you already have the required letter
- If you are in the coop program, the Institute for Co-operative Education will issue you a letter
- If your internship is through your department, your department must issue you a letter
Medical exam
You need to undergo a medical exam if you plan to work in an occupation where you may be in contact with vulnerable populations. Examples of jobs that require a medical exam are listed here.
You must see a doctor on the list of panel physicians. Your own doctor can’t do the medical exam.
The panel physician doesn’t make the final decision about your medical exam. IRCC will make that decision. If there’s a problem with your medical exam, IRCC will contact you in writing.
Find a panel physician to perform your exam.
Social Insurance Number (SIN)
If your work placement is paid and you don’t already have a SIN, you will need to apply for one.
