Working in a Co-op, Internship, or Practicum
Planning to do a co-op, internship, or practicum as part of your 51社区黑料program?
Undergraduate students: Start with the 51社区黑料Co-operative Education Office for details on co-op opportunities, timelines, and requirements.
Graduate students: Check with your graduate program to confirm whether your program includes a co-op, internship and what you need to do next.
This page explains what you need on your study permit to start an SFU-approved work term and the key eligibility requirements you must meet.
Understanding work authorization and eligibility requirements
Before you start working, make sure you have the right work authorization and that you meet the eligibility requirements below.
As of , most eligible international students no longer need to apply for a separate co-op work permit to take part in an SFU-approved work term. Instead, you may be able to use the work authorization printed on your study permit, if you meet all eligibility requirements listed below. To learn more, please review the 51社区黑料news post: Changes to the Co-op Work Permits for International Students.
Eligibility requirements
You can start an SFU-approved work term if you meet all of the following conditions:
- Your study permit includes on-campus work authorization.
- You have a Co-op Confirmation Letter or Letter of Acceptance from 51社区黑料confirming the work term is required for your program.
- Your study permit is valid, or you applied to extend it before it expired ().
- You are considered a full-time student at SFU during the term you complete the work term.
- Your work term makes up 50% or less of your total study program.
- You have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN), if required for your work.
Where you can work during your work term?
You can work for any employer that 51社区黑料has approved for your work term, including an employer located off campus.
What does on-campus work authorization look like?
On-campus work authorization is a condition printed on your study permit. If you have this condition and meet the eligibility requirements above, you may be able to use it to complete your SFU-approved work term.
Here are two examples of what this condition may look like on a study permit:
- 鈥� May accept employment on or off campus if meeting eligibility criteria as per . Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria"
Or
- 鈥淭his 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 . Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.鈥�
If your study permit includes wording similar to the examples above, you may be able to use it for your 51社区黑料work term if you meet all other eligibility requirements.
Action item: If your study permit does not list 51社区黑料 as your Designated Learning Institution (DLI), does not include one of the above conditions, or if you are unsure, please speak with an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist before you start your work term.
Medical exam requirements
Some work terms may require an before you can start working, even if the work is unpaid. This is most common when the work involves protecting public health, for example:
- Health care or hospital settings
- Working with children or seniors
- Primary or secondary school teaching or education settings
- Agricultural work
Note: Some employers (especially in health authorities and education) may ask for medical clearance more broadly across roles, regardless of specific job duties.
Action item: If you鈥檙e not sure whether your study permit allows you to work in one of the settings above, please review the FAQ:
Maintaining Valid Study Permit Status During Your Work Term
Important: Your study permit must be valid for your entire work term. If it will expire soon, apply to extend it before the expiry date.
You must have valid status in Canada to keep studying and to take part in your SFU-approved work term.
If you apply to extend your study permit before it expires, you may remain in Canada under maintained status while IRCC processes your application. During this time, you may be able to continue studying and working, as long as you keep meeting the eligibility requirements.
If you already applied for a Co-op Work Permit
If you already applied for a co-op work permit, no action is required. IRCC will withdraw eligible active applications and will send you a letter confirming that a co-op work permit is no longer required. If you already have a valid co-op work permit, you can continue using it until it expires.
Important reminders
- Not all student work placements are paid. In some cases, unpaid experiential or work鈥慽ntegrated learning may still be considered under IRCC rules. If you are unsure whether your experiential learning activity is considered work, you are encouraged to connect with an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist for guidance.
- Work related to a 51社区黑料co鈥憃p, internship, or practicum must take place while you are enrolled in that term and within SFU鈥檚 academic calendar dates.
- Once you are accepted into the 51社区黑料co-op program, the Co鈥憃p office will automatically provide you with a Co鈥憃p Confirmation Letter.
- If you are a graduate student with a mandatory internship, practicum, or co鈥憃p as part of your program, it will be indicated in your Letter of Admission package from SFU.