Update for international students
As of April 1, 2026, you don’t need a co-op work permit for student work placements, such as co-ops or internships, as a post-secondary international student. For more information on COWP eligibility, check out IRCC’s webpage:
Are you Eligible?
To participate in a Co-op work placement as an international student, you must meet all of the following:
What you need
Meet your program's Co-op eligibility requirements (GPA minimum, credit threshold, declared program)
Enrolled in a KPU program with a Co-op option
Successful completion of COOP 1101 and all Co-op-related requirements in the course
Valid study permit with work authorization conditions printed on it
Full-time student at KPU
Study program at least 6 months, post-secondary, leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate
Co-op placement totals 50% or less of your study program
Letter from KPU confirming the placement is a program requirement
What still applies
You must be accepted into and released by the Co-op office before accessing job postings.
If you do not already have a SIN, you will need one before beginning your work term.
You must stop working if your study permit expires or you stop studying full-time
*Student-sourced work terms must be approved by the Co-op office
*A student-sourced work term is one where a student independently finds their own Co-op employer, which requires approval from the Co-op office to ensure it meets program requirements.
Your study permit — what to check
Before uploading your study permit in Career Connection, check the following three things.
1. Check your study permit has work authorization conditions printed on it
Your study permit must include a condition confirming you are authorized to work as part of your study program. If you are unsure what conditions are on your permit or whether they cover your Co-op placement, contact the KPU Co-operative team.
Contact KPU Co-op Admin Team → co-op@kpu.ca
2. No work conditions on your study permit?
If you’re eligible to work on campus, but the IRCC didn’t include either of the following 2 conditions on your study permit, you can ask to have them added without any additional fee:
- “May accept employment on or off campus if meeting eligibility criteria as per R186(f), (v) or (w). Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.”
- “This permit does not authorize the holder to engage in off campus employment in Canada. May accept employment only on campus if meeting eligibility criteria as per R186(f). Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.”
You can’t work if you don’t have one of these conditions on your study permit. There’s no fee to add these conditions to your permit. See how to request an amendment to your study permit. Ensure you meet all the requirements to participate in student work placements.
Request an amendment to your study permit →
3. Check your study permit expiry date
Your study permit must be valid for the full duration of your work term, not just the start date. For 8-month work terms, your permit must cover both terms.
Permit expiring soon? Apply for an extension before your permit expires. If you apply before it expires, you enter maintained status and can continue working while the extension is being processed. Contact the Co-op office to let us know so we can update your record. co-op@kpu.ca
How to get started
Follow these steps to apply for Co-op and get access to job postings in Career Connection.
Apply to Co-op and complete COOP 1101
Submit your Co-op application in Career Connection and register for COOP 1101. Applications are reviewed bi-weekly. You can apply before or during COOP 1101.Apply for your SIN
If you do not already have a SIN, apply as soon as you are accepted into the program. You will need your valid study permit to apply. Do not wait until your first day of work.Submit your study permit in Career Connection
Upload a copy of your valid study permit under My Documents in Career Connection. Make sure your permit has not expired and includes the required work authorization conditions. See the section below for what to check before uploading.Steps to submit your Study Permit in Career Connection
- Log into Career Connection
Similar to uploading a resume in Career Connection, navigate to your profile and select 'My Documents'
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- Click 'Add New' to open the form to submit your document
- Make sure to select 'Study Permit' as the document type. (Your submission will be reviewed and verified and your Co-op status will be updated based on the completion of your requirements.)
- Click 'Submit'
Access to Co-op Jobs or Continuance of Work Term
After submitting a valid Study Permit or extension of your Study Permit, your Co-op eligibility will be reevaluated based on your program continuance requirements to grant you access to Co-op job opportunities.
- Log into Career Connection
How to log in to Carrer Connection →
Complete all Co-op program requirements in COOP 1101
Complete COOP 1101 and all Co-op-related program requirements in the course (i.e. submit your Co-op Student Agreement, complete the seeking survey in Career Connection, ensure you have submitted a Co-op application, and confirm your GPA meets your program minimum). All requirements must be confirmed before you can be released to apply for jobs.Wait to be released by the Co-op office
Once all your requirements are confirmed, the Co-op office will update your status to Released in Career Connection. You will then be able to view and apply for Co-op job postings.Learn about the seeking phase →
Once released, request your Co-op Participation Letter from the Co-op office. It confirms your work terms are required and may be needed for Co-op employers or Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Co-op program available for international students?
Yes - international students who continue to meet the eligibility requirements can begin their work term search as soon as they submit their study permit.
Attend an information session to learn more information.
Do international students still need a Co-op work permit?
No. As of April 1, 2026, post-secondary international students no longer need a Co-op work permit to participate in a Co-op placement. You can participate under your existing study permit as long as you meet the eligibility requirements. Secondary school students still need a Co-op work permit. See the Co-op for International Students page for full details.
What do international students need to submit instead of a work permit?
You will need to submit a copy of your valid study permit to the Co-op office. We will verify that your permit includes the required work authorization conditions and that the expiry date covers your intended work term. Learn more about what to check on your study permit.
I was waiting for my Co-op work permit before I could be released. What should I do now?
You can now submit your study permit instead of the work permit in Career Connection. For more information about submitting your permit check out our page for international co-op students.
Does removing the work permit requirement mean I can access Co-op jobs on my own?
No. You must still be accepted into the KPU Co-op program, complete all required steps, and be formally released by the Co-op office before you can view and apply for Co-op job postings in Career Connection.
The process itself has not changed—only the documentation requirement has been updated. Any work secured outside of this process will not count toward your Co-op designation.
Please note that when securing a Co-op placement, you must remain enrolled in an approved Co-op program and have a valid letter from the KPU Co-op office confirming that the work placement is a required part of your program. Email co-op@kpu.ca for more information.
Can I take a Scheduled Break before or after a co-op work term?
KPU’s Scheduled Break Policy allows students to take one term off within a calendar year: Spring (January to April), Summer (May to August), or Fall (September to December), provided the student remains enrolled full-time at KPU in the term preceding the break and in the term following the break.
Can I work in addition to co-op?
Your co-op work placement will likely require full-time hours. If you are able to work additional hours without compromising your co-op work term, you may work on and/or off campus in addition to your co-op position simultaneously as long as you meet the eligibility criteria for each.
Why are international students in the Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Operations and Supply Chain Management limited to one work term?
The limitation to one work term for international students in the Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Operations and Supply Chain Management is in accordance with Co-op work permit regulations. These regulations state that co-op placements or internships should not exceed 50% of the total study program.
We are here to help
Have questions about your Co-op status or eligibility? Reach out to us.
KPU International
Questions about your study permit conditions or amendments.