Co-op Work Permit
York International presentation to MFAc MIAB Orientation - Jan 2024
November 2022 communication from York International
Please read this first and then proceed to the information below
As you may be aware, IRCC announced on October 7, 2022 that some international students would be able to work full-time off campus starting on November 15, 2022. We have received some clarification on eligibility for this temporary policy update and would like to share that with you.
To be eligible, international students must have either had a valid study permit with work authorization on October 7, 2022 or have submitted an application for a study permit on or before October 7, 2022. They must be full-time students to be eligible to work, even if they do not benefit from the temporary policy’s allowance of extra off-campus work hours. If eligible, they may work full-time off campus until either December 31, 2023 or until the eligible study permit expires, whichever is first.
If a student has a work placement that falls completely within the temporary policy dates applicable to them (not a day before it starts or a day after it ends), they are not required to have a co-op work permit. However, we are recommending all students with a required work placement in their program apply for a co-op work permit, regardless of the temporary policy. The application for a co-op work permit is free and it gives them the flexibility to do their work placement outside of the temporary policy dates.
Some example scenarios
| Scenario | Eligibility |
| A student had a valid study permit on October 7, 2022 that expires on March 31, 2023. | The student is eligible for the temporary policy only until March 31, 2023. |
| A student had a valid study permit on October 7, 2022 and had submitted a study permit extension before October 7, 2022. The old study permit expires on November 30, 2022. The extension is approved and expires in 2024. | Since the student has two eligible study permits, the later date is used. The student is eligible for the full period of the temporary policy. |
| The student had a valid study permit on October 7 that expires in 2025. The student’s work placement ends after December 31, 2023. | The student is eligible for the full period of the temporary policy, but is required to have a co-op work permit. |
| A student is part-time. | This student is not eligible to work at all regardless of the temporary policy. |
Due to the complex nature of this temporary policy, we have put together some resource materials to help you and students.
- A flow chart to help understand eligibility (see below)
- A quiz for students to take to determine their eligibility
CO-OP Work Permit Announcement
The Graduate Program in Financial Accountability (MFAc) includes a Financial Accountability Practicum (FACC 6850), which provides students an opportunity to work in a financial accountability related position.
International students interested in completing the MFAc practicum must apply for and obtain a co-op work permit, as the practicum is considered a work placement that is required to complete the degree requirements for the MFAc with Internship Option. Once approved, a co-op work permit allows students to work full-time during regular academic terms. The co-op work permit can only be used for work completed to fulfil the MFAc practicum requirements. However, you may simultaneously hold a co-op work permit and work off-campus if you meet the criteria for each.
Please click here for application procedure.
Two options to apply for the co-op work permit
Students applying for the co-op work permit will fall into one of the categories below:
- Newly admitted students may apply for the study permit and co-op work permit together after receiving an offer of admission to York University and confirmation of co-op letter from the MFAc program.
- Current students who already hold a valid study permit may apply for a co-op work permit separately after receiving the confirmation of co-op letter from the MFAc program.
It is recommended to apply for your co-op permit as soon as possible after receiving admission to the MFAc program (category #1 above).
- Newly admitted students: apply for your study permit and co-op work permit together
- You can apply for your co-op work permit together with your study permit. Make sure to indicate in your study permit application that you are also applying for a co-op work permit.
- If you plan to apply for your study permit and co-op work permit together, please contact miabstud@yorku.ca or Professor Paul Evans pevans@yorku.ca to receive information about the steps to enrol in the FACC 6850 practicum. One of the documents you will receive is a letter addressed to IRCC confirming your admission to the program and to support your request for a co-op work permit.
- Reminder: You also require a social insurance number (SIN) in order to work in Canada (except for unpaid placements). You may only apply for a SIN once you arrive in Canada.
- Current students: apply for your co-op work permit separately
- If you have not obtained your co-op work permit before arriving at York University, you can still apply once you are in Canada.
- If your study permit does not expire soon (e.g. if your study permit expires in 6 months or more from now), apply for a co-op work permit only.
- If your study permit expires soon (e.g. if your study permit expires in 3-4 months), you can apply for a co-op work permit at the same time that you apply to extend your study permit.
- Please contact miabstud@yorku.ca or Professor Paul Evans pevans@yorku.ca to receive information about the steps to enrol in the FACC 6850 practicum. One of the documents you will receive is a letter addressed to IRCC confirming your admission to the program and to support your request for a co-op work permit.
- Reminder: You also require a social insurance number (SIN) in order to work in Canada (except for unpaid placements).
Using off-campus work authorization to start co-op work placement
As a temporary measure due to COVID-19, IRCC is permitting students (inside and outside of Canada) to begin their co-op placement while their co-op work permit is being processed.
Students who are already in Canada, and have applied for a co-op work permit, may begin their co-op placement using their on-campus and off-campus work authorization as outlined on their study permit, provided they meet all other eligibility requirements.
Students who are outside Canada can start working without a co-op work permit. If your school and employer agree, you can either accept a Canadian work placement and begin working remotely from your home country or work for a company in your home country. You can’t submit a co-op work permit separately from your study permit application if you are applying from outside Canada.
For more information about this update, please review the link above and if you have questions please contact York University’s licensed immigration specialists by attending a virtual drop-in advising session (details below).
Processing time
Processing times fluctuate. Be sure to check the IRCC website for the latest processing times before you start planning for your co-op placements and consider the time it takes to receive a co-op work permit.
The link for you to check the processing time is https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html.
Contact York International
Please consult York University’s licensed immigration specialists at York International.
For questions about this update and/or assistance on how to complete your study permit and/or co-op work permit applications you may:
Attend a webinar: Please first check the York International calendar for monthly webinars, where the licensed advisors will go through the study permit application or study permit extension application process in more detail, including the co-op application components.
Attend virtual drop-in advising: It is also recommended that you attend a virtual drop-in immigration advising session, taking place multiple times per week, where you can speak directly with an advisor about your questions.
You may also email an advisor at iadvisor@yorku.ca, however attending a webinar or drop-in advising session is currently the quickest way to receive assistance.
All students are encouraged to consult IRCC’s website regularly for any changes to the application procedure relating to the co-op work permit. Please keep in mind that each student's position may differ depending on their circumstances and the country from which they intend to apply.
DISCLAIMER: Information shown was prepared by an International Student Advisor and licensed immigration specialist at York University in compliance with section 91 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). This is not a legal document, does not constitute legal advice and is for informational purposes only. Information may change without notice, and it is your responsibility to refer to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the most up to date information.
