A legal briefing from McDougall Gauley LLP on 27 April 2026 highlights a significant April policy shift: as of 1 April, most post-secondary international students no longer need a separate co-op work permit to complete mandatory work-integrated learning components such as internships and practicums. Instead, eligible students can rely on the work authorization embedded in their study permits, provided the placement is an academic requirement at a designated learning institution (DLI). The change is the first instalment of a broader package aimed at reducing red tape for international students—Canada’s fastest-growing temporary-resident group at more than 900,000 permit holders in 2025. IRCC estimates that eliminating the co-op permit will cut 120,000 annual applications, freeing resources to tackle study-permit backlogs.
![Co-op work-permit requirement scrapped for eligible post-secondary students]()
Whether you’re an international student confirming that your study-permit conditions now cover a mandatory placement or an employer verifying compliance, VisaHQ’s online platform can make the transition easier. Its Canada portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) provides real-time policy updates, tailored document checklists, and application-tracking tools that help you avoid delays and focus on the experiential learning opportunity itself.
For institutions, the amendment simplifies administrative guidance and could accelerate placement confirmations, improving program attractiveness. Employers hosting co-op students benefit, too: fewer instances of delayed start dates caused by pending permit issuance. However, the exemption is not universal. Secondary-school students still require co-op permits, and study-permit holders must maintain full-time status and meet all standard on-campus or off-campus work conditions. Non-mandatory internships remain subject to the 24-hour weekly work cap reinstated on 31 March. Education-sector mobility advisers should audit current cohorts to separate students who now fall under the exemption from those who still need separate authorization, ensuring compliance letters and payroll codes are updated accordingly.
Whether you’re an international student confirming that your study-permit conditions now cover a mandatory placement or an employer verifying compliance, VisaHQ’s online platform can make the transition easier. Its Canada portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) provides real-time policy updates, tailored document checklists, and application-tracking tools that help you avoid delays and focus on the experiential learning opportunity itself.
For institutions, the amendment simplifies administrative guidance and could accelerate placement confirmations, improving program attractiveness. Employers hosting co-op students benefit, too: fewer instances of delayed start dates caused by pending permit issuance. However, the exemption is not universal. Secondary-school students still require co-op permits, and study-permit holders must maintain full-time status and meet all standard on-campus or off-campus work conditions. Non-mandatory internships remain subject to the 24-hour weekly work cap reinstated on 31 March. Education-sector mobility advisers should audit current cohorts to separate students who now fall under the exemption from those who still need separate authorization, ensuring compliance letters and payroll codes are updated accordingly.
