Last updated: April 2026
As of April 1, 2026, co-op work permits are no longer required for international students participating in mandatory work placements.听
Student work placements are work experiences that are required for your study program and approved by your (DLI), such as 麻豆传媒 (CUE).
Student work placements can include but aren鈥檛 limited to,
- co-op placements
- internships
- practicums
- mentorship programs
- work integrated learning (WIL)
Here is a list of programs at CUE with mandatory work placements,
- Bachelor of Arts Psychology (Applied Emphasis)
- Bachelor of Education (After Degree)听
- Bachelor of Management听
- Bachelor of Management & Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (Dual Degree)
- Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
- Master of Science in Information Technology
- Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Who can participate in student work placements
To be eligible for a student work placement, the work placement must be听required听to complete your study program.
You can participate in student work placements as a听post-secondary student听if you meet听all听of the following conditions:
- You have conditions printed on your initial study permit that say you鈥檙e allowed to work on campus.
- 鈥淢ay accept employment on or off campus if meeting eligibility criteria as per R186(f), (v) or (w). Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.鈥�
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 R186(f). Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.鈥�
- You have a letter from CUE that confirms the work placement is a requirement of your study program.
- You have a valid study permit听or听you applied to extend your study permit before it expired.
- You鈥檙e a full-time student at CUE
- Your study program is at least 6 months long, at a post-secondary level and leads to a degree, diploma or certificate.
- The work placement of your study program totals 50% or less of your study program.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your study permit does not have either of the following conditions,
- 鈥淢ay accept employment on or off campus if meeting eligibility criteria as per R186(f), (v) or (w). Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.鈥�
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 R186(f). Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.鈥�
Request an appointment with the International Office to international@concordia.ab.ca for guidance.
International students with pending decisions on their co-op work permit applications will not need to take any action. IRCC will withdraw all eligible and active co-op work permit applications, IRCC may send you a letter which explains that you do not need a co-op work permit to participate in a work placement.
As of April听1, 2026, you听no longer听need a co-op work permit for student work placements. If you currently hold a valid co-op work permit you cannot use the permit for any other employment even if it is still valid. Keep the permit in a secure location for your own records.
After you have enrolled into your co-op/internship/practicum course, you will need to request a co-op work permit supporting letter from the Office of the Registrar by email: registrar@concordia.ab.ca 鈥� provide your full name, student id number, program and explanation of your request. Keep the letter for your own records, IRCC may ask you to provide a letter from CUE that confirms that all students in your program need to complete work placements to get their degree, diploma or certificate.
Attention: If you are not enrolled in your co-op/internship/practicum course, you will not receive a co-op work permit supporting letter.
You can work for any employer that is accepted for a mandatory work placement approved by your program at CUE, even if they are off campus. Students should consult directly with their program faculty for assistance when seeking an acceptable work placement.
Attention:听You need to have a听听if your work placement is at a hospital or other place where the protection of public health is important, unless you have already had one. For further information听contact the International Office at international@concordia.ab.ca.
Some students may need to have a if the student work placement is at a hospital or other place where the protection of public health is important.
Once you have obtained the following:
- You meet all IRCC鈥檚 eligibility requirements for听,
- You鈥檙e a full-time student at CUE,
- You鈥檝e received a letter from CUE that confirms the work placement is a requirement of your study program,
- You enrolled in the applicable co-op/internship/practicum semester AND it has officially started.
There is no weekly hour limit to participate in student work placements. However, your work placement cannot total more than 50% of your study program.
Attention:听Work not related to mandatory work placements must still follow on- and off-campus work authorizations printed on your valid study permit. During scheduled academic semesters students may work up to 24 hours per week off-campus and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks, if meeting all听. Please also see on-campus work听.
No. If you are not enrolled in a program with a mandatory co-op/internship/practicum, you do not meet all of the IRCC for Student work placement and therefore cannot participate in a non-mandatory co-op/internship/practicum.
Students who are not sure if they are eligible to work in Canada should contact International Office for guidance.
International students cannot take additional co-op/internship/practicum placements that are not a mandatory component of their program. Any additional job opportunities must satisfy the work authorization stated on the study permit, additionally students must ensure they are meeting all work .
For further guidance contact International Office.
Students should consult directly with their program faculty or co-op coordinator for assistance.
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