APPLY FOR A CO-OP WORK PERMIT
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 SFU study 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. Work-hour limits remain unchanged. For additional details and eligibility requirements, please visit the IRCC – Work in a student work placement webpage.
Co-operative Education provides an opportunity to alternate degree-related, paid work terms with academic study. Co-op positions may be available on campus, in Vancouver, across Canada and even overseas! Many international students participate in Co-op. If you're interested, do your research early to find out the GPA requirements and deadlines. Contact the Co-op Co-ordinator in your faculty for more information.
After being accepted into Co-op you must apply for a work permit. Your Co-op work permit will only allow you to work in jobs which are part of the Co-op program and only while you are enrolled at SFU.
Your Co-op Co-ordinator will issue a letter for you to include with your work permit application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Co-op work permits are free (fee exempt). For instructions on how to apply, please review the "Co-op/SFU-Approved Internship Work Permit" handout on our Instruction Guides page.
Important: If your study permit will expire in the next few months, you should apply for both your study and work permit at the same time, using one application. You will need to include all documents and pay a fee for your study permit extension. See Extend your study permit for details.