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Studying Abroad? Choose an Internship or Co-op!

International Student Internships and Co-op

Are you an international student who wants to get both academic and work experience while abroad? Want to earn money while still achieving and learning through your program? Look no further, the co-op and internship program for international students might be the exact thing you need.



Am I Eligible?

You must apply for both a work permit as well as a study permit. You can get more information on study permits in Gloria's lesson on applying to schools in Canada.  

To get a work permit, according to CIC you need:

  • A Valid Study Permit:
    • This is a confirmation that you are attending a school abroad in order to fufill your post-secondary education.
    • If you are a minor high school student you may not be required to have one
  • Intended Employment must be an Essential part of your program of study:
    • Therefore the job you're working at makes sense with what you're studying.

  • Your employment must be part of your academic program, certified by a letter from a responsible academic official of the institution:
    • This is to confirm that the job you're doing is related to your studies.

  • Your co-op or internship employment cannot form more than 50 percent of the total program of study: 
    • It is an essential part of your education, but it does not make up all of it. It can be in the form of a part-time job in which you study while you work, while other co-op jobs will take place during the summer months when you are on break from school.

How do I Apply?

1. Application Package

You can download and print the application kit, which can be found right in this lesson, it is called Applying for a Work Permit Student Guide and has been made available through the Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

2. Read through it.

Read the guide carefully before you complete the application form. Photocopy the blank forms and use one as a working copy. Keep the working copy for your records.Make sure to pay close attention to the section on how to fill out the forms, as well as how to make sure you don't miss anything.

3. Complete the application form and attach the necessary documents.

Once you're sure you haven't missed anything, you can send in your forms. Be careful to double check everything as your forms could get delayed if anything is missing. 

The CIC says to answer all questions carefully, completely and truthfully. Answers can be typed or handwritten (print clearly in black ink). Incomplete applications will not be processed, but will be returned to you. This will delay the application process.

There is no processing fee for this work permit.

4. Mail the application form and documents.

The application kit contains the mailing address where you must send your application.

What Else Do I Need to Know?


It is a good idea to get in touch with your university to make sure that they're setting up a co-operative learning placement for you. It is a good idea to get these things lined up before you head out, especially if you are required to have documentation when applying. It is better to have more information than you need upfront, then when you get to your destination and school of choice, everything is set out for you.

A co-op or internship is a great idea since it incorporates both the learning and academic aspect of studying abroad, while also getting international experience that you can add to both your resume as well as your educational background since it is all related. This will give you practical as well as book-worthy experience.



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