Immigration
Working in Canada
Effective April 1, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updated the requirements for co-op work permits. Eligible international students at post-secondary institutions are no longer required to obtain a separate co-op work permit to complete co-op terms, internships, or practicums. Eligible students may use the on-campus work authorization on their Â鶹ÊÓƵstudy permit to participate in an SFU-approved work placement.
Work placements must still constitute no more than 50% of the total study program and be an essential component of the program. There is no limit on the number of hours students can work for their work placement. For additional details and eligibility requirements, please visit the webpage.
Can I apply for a co-op work permit from outside Canada?
If you are outside Canada, you can only apply for a co-op work permit along with a study permit application.
You can’t apply for a co-op work permit separately from a study permit application if you are applying from outside Canada.
If your outside Canada study permit application is still in process and you are eligible to apply for a co-op work permit, you can contact Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) via its and submit the supporting document(s) showing that you have been accepted into a program with a mandatory work component (e.g. a co-op letter from your Co-op coordinator, or the Study/Work Information Form in your offer of admission from the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies office).
If your outside Canada study permit application is already approved, after you are in Canada, you can apply for a co-op work permit within Canada. For more information on how to apply for a co-op work permit within Canada, please review our FAQ here.