Savanna Hoffman
International students can take part in co-op and internship programs, but they need a work permit as well as a valid study permit. In Canada, a co-op work permit can be applied for at the same time as a study permit, and the student must prove that the work experience is essential to completing their program. In the US, international students on F-1 visas are allowed to work off-campus after nine months of full-time study and obtaining work authorization. Students on visas that are not F-1 need to verify their eligibility to participate in a co-op program. International students may also be authorized to participate in Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (Pre-OPT) after enrolling for a full academic year, but they can only work part-time (20 hours/week) during this time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work experience as part of the curriculum | Yes |
| Work permit required | Yes |
| Study permit required | Yes |
| Work experience exceeding 50% of the total program | Ineligible for a co-op work permit |
| F-1 visa holders | Allowed to work off-campus after 9 months of full-time study |
| J-1 visa holders | Allowed to work off-campus after 9 months of full-time study |
| Pre-OPT | Allowed to work part-time (20 hours/week) during school; full-time (40 hours/week) when school is out of session |
| CPT days | Must be tracked by the student to not exceed 364 days |
| Work schedule | Cannot be changed once CPT is issued |
| Work permit fee | Free |
| Work permit application | Online or by mail |
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What You'll Learn
- International students in Canada need a co-op work permit and a study permit
- The co-op work permit is free and can be applied for online
- Students must prove that work experience is essential to their program
- International students on an F-1 visa can work off-campus after nine months of full-time study
- Students must have a Social Security number if they are being paid for their co-op work
International students in Canada need a co-op work permit and a study permit
To be eligible for a co-op work permit, students must meet the following conditions: they must have a valid study permit; they must be required to work to complete their study program in Canada; they must have a letter from their school confirming that all students in their program need to complete work placements to get their degree; and their co-op placement or internship must total 50% or less of their study program. The co-op work permit will be issued for a specific time period, usually coinciding with the validity of the study permit.
International students in Canada can start working even if their study permit and co-op work permit applications are still being processed. However, they must have received their co-op work permit before starting their placement. If the student is applying for their first co-op work permit, they are advised to apply for it 6 months before their internship is due to start, to account for processing times.
The co-op work permit is an open work permit that allows students to work anywhere in Canada, as long as the work is a mandatory requirement of their program. The co-op work permit is a closed work permit, meaning it can only be used for one job and one employer. The employer is designated on the permit as the educational institution authorizing the co-op placement.
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The co-op work permit is free and can be applied for online
International students who are enrolled in a study program that requires work experience, such as a co-op or internship placement, will typically need both a valid study permit and a work permit. The work experience must be essential to completing the program and cannot exceed 50% of the total program of study.
Even while your study permit and co-op work permit applications are being processed, you can start working. However, if you are applying from outside Canada, you cannot submit a co-op work permit application separately from your study permit application. If your study permit has already been approved, and you require a co-op placement to complete your program, you can complete a co-op placement outside of Canada without a co-op work permit.
To apply for your co-op work permit, you will need to provide a letter from your department confirming the mandatory nature of the work experience. You do not need a job offer to apply, but you must complete the relevant section with the address of your co-op office, found on your co-op letter.
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Students must prove that work experience is essential to their program
For international students, the process of obtaining a co-op position is straightforward and can be highly advantageous for the organisation. However, to get a work permit, students must prove that work experience is essential to completing their program. This can be done through a letter from the school confirming that all students in the program need to complete work placements to obtain their degree, or a copy of the school curriculum.
The work experience should not exceed 50% of the total study program. This is to ensure that the student is gaining more academic knowledge than work experience, and that the work experience is supplementary to their studies. The purpose of work experience is to provide students with insights into industry and the workplace, allowing them to observe and learn.
In some cases, students may need to prove that they have satisfactorily completed occupational health and safety (OHS) training before commencing work experience. This is to ensure the safety of the student and compliance with legislation. Additionally, international students may need to obtain proper work authorisation from their school's international student office, and they must have completed nine months of full-time study.
International students are exempt from paying FICA (Medicare and Social Security) taxes. If the position is unpaid, a Social Security number is not required. However, if the student is receiving compensation, they will need a Social Security number before starting work. Obtaining this number typically takes around two to three weeks.
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International students on an F-1 visa can work off-campus after nine months of full-time study
International students on an F-1 visa can work off-campus in co-op positions. To be eligible for a co-op work permit, students must meet certain conditions. Firstly, they need a valid study permit. Secondly, their program must require work placements for degree completion, which is confirmed by a letter from their school. Additionally, the co-op placement or internship should constitute 50% or less of their study program.
It is important to note that international students on visas other than F-1 need to verify their eligibility for co-op participation with the Office of International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS). Failure to obtain work authorization prior to starting a co-op can jeopardize their visa status and may even result in co-op termination.
When it comes to taxation, international students pay federal, state, and local taxes but are exempt from FICA taxes (Medicare and Social Security). If they receive compensation for their work, they will need a Social Security number, although they can start working with confirmation of their Social Security number request. For unpaid co-op positions, a Social Security number is not required.
International students may also be authorized to participate in Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (Pre-OPT) after enrolling for a full academic year. During Pre-OPT, they can work part-time while school is in session and full-time during vacations or terms off, with the work being directly related to their course of study. Undergraduate students who exceed 364 days of full-time CPT in the US are not eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) upon graduation, so they may consider completing one co-op outside the US or working part-time in the US to maintain OPT eligibility.
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Students must have a Social Security number if they are being paid for their co-op work
International students are allowed to work in co-op positions, but they must meet certain requirements. For instance, students on an F-1 visa are required to obtain work authorization, known as Curricular Practical Training (CPT), to participate in a co-op. CPT allows students to work as long as it is an integral part of their curriculum.
To obtain a CPT, students must first secure a co-op and then work with their co-op advisor to begin the CPT work authorization paperwork. Once approved, the co-op advisor will send the paperwork to the International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS) office for processing. Students cannot apply for a social security card until they have secured CPT and it is within 30 days of their co-op start date.
Additionally, eligibility to work must be established by the ISSS office before assigning a co-op cycle and advisor. Failure to obtain work authorization prior to beginning each co-op can put the student's visa status at risk and may result in co-op termination. Students must also complete the International Student Co-op Registration Agreement form. Once CPT is issued, students cannot change their co-op employment dates.
In Canada, students must have a valid study permit and work permit to participate in a co-op program. The work experience must be essential to completing the student's program, and the co-op placement should total 50% or less of the study program.
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Frequently asked questions
International students in Canada must apply for a co-op work permit in addition to a Canadian study permit. To be eligible for a co-op work permit, students must have a valid study permit, be required to work to complete their study program, and have a letter from their school confirming that work placements are necessary for their degree. The work placement must also total 50% or less of the study program.
International students in the US on an F-1 visa may work off-campus after completing nine months of full-time study and obtaining work authorization from their school's international student office. Students may also be eligible for Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (Pre-OPT) after being enrolled for a full academic year, allowing them to work part-time during the school year and full-time during vacations.
International students in the US do not need a Social Security number for an unpaid co-op. However, they will need one if they are receiving compensation for their work. Students can start working without a Social Security number as long as they have confirmation that they have requested one.
