Since 1 April 2026, eligible post-secondary international students no longer need a separate work permit for work placements required by their programme, such as co-op placements and internships. IRCC is withdrawing eligible pending co-op work permit applications.
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Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Simplifying the co-op work permit requirement for post-secondary international students (opens in a new tab, external government website)Published · Checked by MATES
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A temporary IRCC measure lets eligible work permit holders already in Canada study for up to six months, or until their permit ends if sooner, without applying for a study permit. It is in effect until 31 December 2027. Full-time studies still require a study permit.
For study permit applications made on or after 1 September 2026 to study outside Quebec, a single applicant must show CAD 23,448 for the first year's living expenses, up from CAD 22,895. Tuition and travel are additional, and Quebec sets its own amounts.
IRCC expects to issue up to 408,000 study permits in 2026, including 155,000 for newly arriving students. Since 1 January 2026, master's and doctoral students enrolled at a public designated learning institution no longer need a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL).
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