Applying or Extending your co-op work permit from WITHIN Canada

Use this guide only if you are inside of Canada and you need to apply for your first co-op work permit or extend your current co-op work permit.

Case 1: Apply online for your first co-op work permit (NOT as part of a study permit extension application)

If you already have a valid study permit, you can apply for a co-op work permit separately. If approved, the co-op work permit will be issued with an expiration date that matches your current study permit.

1. Review IRCC’s Work as a co-op student or intern page.
2. Check your eligibility 
   1. Complete the Check your eligibility questionnaire. When asked, respond to the questions as follows:

      • What would you like to do in Canada?
      • Work

      
      
      • What is your current immigration status in Canada?
      • Student

      
      
      • Do you plan to work on campus?
      • No (Select No even if you want to work on-campus)

      
      
      • Are you a full-time student at a participating post-secondary institution and want to work off-campus up to 20 hours per week?
      • No (Select No even if you want to work off-campus)

      
      
      • Is your work an essential part of your studies?
      • Yes (Examples of “work” include co-op placements, internships, stages, practicums, etc.)

      
      
      • Do you have a written job offer?
      • No (Select No even if you do)

      
      
      • What is your province or territory of destination?
      • Quebec

      
      
      • When given the option for a Temporary Resident Visa or Co-op (in Canada)
      • Co-op (in Canada)

      
      
      • Do you also want to apply for a study permit?
      • No

      
      
      • When does your status in Canada expire?
      • Enter your study permit expiration date

   2. IMMIGRATION MEDICAL EXAM: If your co-op placement or internship requires you to work in a job where public health must be protected, you should do an up front medical exam before applying for your co-op work permit. When asked, answer as follows:

      • Have you had a medical exam performed by an IRCC authorized panel physician (doctor) within the last 12 months?
      • Yes

      Later, you will need to upload proof of an up front medical exam in your Document Checklist. Examples of programs that require an immigration medical exam include the Bachelor’s of Science (Nursing) and Bachelor of Education programs.
   3. After you complete the questionnaire, you should see a personalized Document Checklist that includes the IMM 5710 form (“Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada As a Worker”) and a space for you to upload your “Co-Op letter”.
3. Complete the IMM 5710 form
   1. Review IRCC’s guide on how to complete the IMM 5710 form (Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada As a Worker).
   2. Your UCI # can be found on your study permit.
   3. McGill's Designated Learning Institution number (DLI#) is O19359011033.
   4. When asked for the “Details of Intended Work in Canada – What type of work permit are you applying for?” select “Co-Op Work Permit”.
   5. When asked for the “Name of Employer”, write “McGill University” (“Details of Intended Work in Canada”, section 2a).
   6. Leave the following sections blank in “Details of Intended Work in Canada”: 2b, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
4. Upload the required documents
   1. Your Co-Op letter confirming that your program includes a work component that all students must complete in order to get their degree. Upload this letter in the "Co-op letter" section of your Document Checklist.
   2. Your immigration medical exam receipt (proof of upfront immigration medical exam) only if your program requires you to work in a job for which a medical exam is necessary. Examples of programs where students must provide an immigration medical exam include, but are not limited to: B. Ed. and BScN.
   3. All of the remaining documents that appear in your Document Checklist
5. After you upload your documents
   1. Submit your application. There are no fees to pay.
   2. Once your application has been approved, you will receive a co-op work permit approval letter in your IRCC secure account.
   3. Your co-op work permit will be mailed to your Canadian address. Normally, the expiration date of your co-op work permit will match the expiration of your study permit.​​​​

Case 2: Apply online for a co-op work permit with your study permit extension (first CWP or CWP-Ext)

You can include a request for a co-op work permit within your study permit extension application.

1. Review our Study Permit Renewal Guide
2. Check your eligibility
   1. Complete the Check your eligibility questionnaire
      1. When asked “Is work an essential component of your studies?”, select “Yes” (even if the work will be unpaid).
   2. After you complete the questionnaire, you should see a personalized Document Checklist that includes the IMM 5709 form and a space for you to upload your “Co-Op letter”.
3. Complete the IMM 5709 form
   1. Review our Study Permit Renewal Guide (Extending Your Study Permit From Inside Canada)
   2. Review IRCC’s instructions on how to complete the IMM 5709 form (Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada As a Student)
   3. In the “Details of intended studies in Canada” section
      1. In reply to Question 6a, “In addition to a study permit, are you also applying for a work permit?”, answer “Yes”.
      2. In reply to Question 6b, “What type of work permit are you applying for?”, answer “Co-op Work Permit”.

Case 3: Apply at a Port of Entry (e.g., land border or airport)

1. Most students must apply online for their co-op work permit. Since processing times can be very long, we recommend that you apply online for your co-op work permit as soon as you have your co-op work permit letter.
2. Flagpoling to obtain a co-op work permit is no longer permitted for most students.
   1. Flagpoling occurs when foreign nationals who hold temporary resident status in Canada, leave Canada and, after a visit to the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon, re-enter to access immigration services at a port of entry.
   2. As of December 23^rd 2024, applying for a work permit at a land border by way of flagpoling is prohibited for most students. 
   3. We no longer recommend that students try to flagpole for their co-op work permit. Instead, we recommend that all students apply online for their co-op work permit.
3. EXCEPTION: US citizens and US permanent residents may still apply for their co-op work permit at a Port of Entry (i.e., at land border or airport) by flagpoling or upon re-entry after a trip outside of Canada.

Useful Resources:

1. Check the estimated processing time for your co-op work permits on IRCC’s website (select “Work permit extension (new employer)”).
2. If you have problems with your online application, contact IRCC by telephone 1.888.242.2100 or via the IRCC Web Form.
3. See IRCC's Co-op/Internship webpage.

The processing time for a CWP can be very long, If you are concerned that you might not be able to start your mandatory internship/co-op placement on time, contact ISS right away.

Related Content: