Co-op Work Permits

A co-op work permit is a restricted work permit that allows you to complete a study program that has work experience included as part of the curriculum. This work experience may be called a co-op placement, internship, or work integrated learning (WIL) and must be approved by your program. This work experience typically involves enrolling in a co-op class and receiving credit on your NAIT transcript (i.e. a course number and a grade or “Pass”).

A co-op work permit will list the employer as “NAIT” and will allow you to work during your co-op work term as approved by your program. You are not allowed to use the co-op work permit to work outside these approved terms, even if the permit is still valid.

You can find out if your NAIT program has a co-op placement by checking the list here.

If you will be completing a co-op as part of your certificate, diploma or degree program, you are required to have a co-op work permit and meet IRCC eligibility to apply. In this case, you should apply for a co-op work permit as soon as possible to ensure you receive it before your co-op placement starts.

NOTE: Under a new temporary public policy, you do not need to apply for a co-op work permit if you meet all of the following criteria:

• Your study permit shows that you’re authorized to work off campus.
•  The entire co-op placement takes place between January 1, 2024, and April 30, 2024.
• You applied for your current study permit before December 7, 2023, and this study permit will be valid for the entire period of the co-op placement.

If you don’t meet the above criteria, you need to apply for a co-op work permit.

Please note that if you are unsure if you need a co-op work permit, you can still submit a free IRCC co-op work permit application online.

You should apply for a co-op work permit as soon as possible to ensure you receive it before your co-op placement starts. For example, if you have not submitted your initial study permit application, you can apply for a co-op work permit at the same time.

NOTE: Students who are in Canada and have applied for a co-op work permit may begin their co-op placement using the work authorization on their study permit while they wait for an answer on the co-op work permit application. While using the work authorization on your study permit, you must ensure you work no more than is allowed by your study permit. You can review this information here. If your co-op work permit application is refused, you must stop your co-op work immediately.

Yes, you can maintain your part-time job while completing your co-op hours at your placement as long as meet all of the following criteria:

• You meet the eligibility requirements to work off-campus with your study permit.
• You hold a valid co-op work permit.