As an international student, you can enroll in the CO-OP option if you meet the admission requirements.

You will need a CO-OP work permit in addition to your study permit. You can apply for this permit only after you’ve been officially accepted into the CO-OP Program.  

As a CO-OP student, the CO-OP work permit you will receive might say: 

  • you’re “not authorized to work for any employer other than stated” 

  • your school is your employer 

This is to identify you as a CO-OP student. It means you can work for any employer that is accepted by your school’s CO-OP program.

Visit the Student guide page of Citizen and Immigration Canada for all the necessary information and application forms. Be sure to apply as soon as possible and submit all required documentations. 

Prior to each placement period, our office will send you a letter stating your intended employment is an essential part of your program by email. Apply for your permit as soon as you receive this letter. 

You can also get help with your work permit from a consultant at the International Office.   

Only employees of Citizen and Immigration Canada (CIC) are legally allowed to assist you with your application. Visit the CIC Call Centre website for helpful information. You can also call the CIC Call Centre from within Canada at 1-888-242-2100 for information, in French or English, about CIC programs and services or about the status of your application. If you prefer, you can email your questions to the CIC call centre.

Some positions, such as those with the Canadian government, require security clearances. It’s difficult, however, for international students to obtain these clearances.

In addition, the Canadian government usually hires Canadian citizens in CO-OP positions. As an international student, you would instead do your placements with a private sector employer or the University of Ottawa.

You can do a placement in your own country, but if the Canadian government advises against travel in your country, we cannot approve a placement there (consult the federal government travel advisories by country).