Co-op Work Permit

On the document checklist where it requests the Coop Letter, upload your Confirmation of Enrollment for Co-op Work Permit.

Please select ‘Co-op Work Permit’ when requesting the CoE.

Request your Confirmation of Enrollment letter*

Make sure you indicate you are also applying for a co-op work permit when creating your document checklist.

You can use your Confirmation of Enrollment proof of co-op by highlighting that section on the Confirmation of Enrollment letter.

_{*You require valid SAIT login credentials to access this form.}

You will need to scan and upload a copy of your passport on the bio-data page (the page with your photo and all other personal information), and any other pages with stamps, visas, or markings from any county.

If you have a new passport, you need to provide copies of both your new and old passports.

Your photo should be less than six months old and meet the IRCC photo specifications.

Depending on the nationality, the Family Information form might be required. You should only provide it if it’s included in your document checklist.

This form needs to be printed out and signed by hand. Please note you might need to sign multiple places on this form.

• If you indicate that you don’t have a spouse or common-law partner, sign and date Section A.
• If you indicate that you don’t have children, sign and date Section B.
• Finally, sign and date Section C.

IRCC might make a minor adjustment to application forms without notice. Please check for instructions for each form and make sure the form is thoroughly completed.

The Schedule 1: Application for Temporary Residency form is usually included in the “Optional Documents” section of your checklist, and most students do not need to include it in the application.

If required, this form doesn’t need to be signed, but it does need to be validated.

A Letter of Explanation is a self-written document that an applicant can use to provide additional information in support of their application. You should provide a Letter of Explanation if you want to explain something about your application—for instance, a gap in your studies (i.e. a leave of absence) or part-time studies during a scheduled break.

If you need any additional support with drafting a Letter of Explanation, you may contact an International Student Advisor.

Download the template

If you have provided biometrics in a previous application, you don’t need to provide them again. Your biometrics will be valid for 10 years. You can use the online tool to find out if your biometrics are still valid.

Biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) are collected to confirm your identity and will facilitate your entry to Canada. While exemptions can be granted, most study permit applicants will be required to provide biometrics.

Once you have paid your biometrics collection fee ($85 CAD) and submitted your online application, you will receive a biometric instruction letter in your account. Then, you can go to the nearest biometrics collection center with the letter.

You may be required to complete an immigration medical exam if:

1. you have lived in a designated country or territory for more than six months in the past year, or,
2. you will participate in a workplacement, co-op or practicum that will bring you close to patients, children, the elderly, etc. This includes public health, health sciences, or agriculture-related fields (for example, healthcare workers, and primary and secondary school teachers.) Please refer to your program page for specific practicum information.

If you need a medical exam, you can choose either:

• submit your application first, and wait for the medical exam instruction letter from IRCC, or,
• do an upfront medical exam first and include the exam confirmation receipt in your application.

In general, it can save some processing time when you provide an upfront medical exam.

Your medical exam result will be valid for 12 months from the date of the exam and should be valid at the time when you travel. The exam is taken during the initial study permit application period; therefore, if you have been studying outside Canada since recieving your study permit approval, you will need to make sure your results are still valid when traveling to Canada.

You may need a new IME result if you are a continuing student who has left Canada for six months or more in the past year.

Find a panel physician that can conduct your medical exam.

You only need a co-op work permit if your program includes a mandatory work component—this is usually called a co-op, practicum, or internship at SAIT. If you're not sure, check with the Co-op coordinator or academic advisor in your school.

Note: not all schools have a designated Co-op coordinator.

If your Letter of Acceptance mentions a required work component in Box 24, you should apply for your co-op work permit at the same time as your initial study permit. If you're already in Canada, you should apply at least 6 months before your co-op term starts.

Depending on whether you are applying for your co-op work permit along with your initial study permit application outside Canada or after arriving in Canada, the application process will differ.

If you are applying for your initial study permit outside Canada, you will apply for your co-op work permit at the same time as your initial study permit. In the Co-op letter section of your application, upload your Letter of Acceptance which mentions a required work component in Box 24.

If you're a current student with a valid study permit inside Canada, you will need to fill out the following form and request a Co-op letter from SAIT:

• The IMM 5710 form (Application to Change Conditions, Extend My Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker)
• Co-op letter from SAIT: You can request your Co-op letter using this form.

 If you are applying for a Study Permit extension and a co-op work permit, you will include your co-op work permit application along with your study permit extension application in the same package.

Instructions on how to prepare the Co-op work permit application from inside Canada can be found above.

Detailed information about working as a co-op student in Canada can be found on the IRCC website here: Work as a co-op student or intern - Canada.ca

Yes, that’s normal! Your co-op work permit should list your school (SAIT) as the employer.

Your co-op work permit allows you to work full-time during your co-op term, but only for the number of hours approved by SAIT to meet your program requirements.

Once you’ve completed those hours - even if your permit is still valid - you must stop using it. If you want to keep working for your co-op employer after that, you may be able to use your study permit work authorization (up to 24 hours/week off-campus during academic semesters), if eligible.

Yes! Since you're still considered a full-time student during your co-op term, you can also:

• Work up to 24 hours/week off-campus under your study permit
• Work unlimited hours on-campus

Yes. If your program requires work experience to graduate, you must have a co-op work permit for that part of your program.

Your study permit only covers non-program-related work and doesn’t allow full-time work during academic semesters.

It depends. In some cases, you might be able to use your study permit work authorization while your co-op work permit application is under process. Please speak with an International Student Advisor to review your specific situation.