The International Agreement Form will be sent to you from the Co-op Office using Docusign. You need to complete this to continue forward in the program.
- You must intend to complete the Co-op Education Designation to be eligible for a Co-op Work Permit. Completing the designation requires three co-op work terms (12 months total) for undergraduate students. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Co-op work must be essential for all students in the program in order to receive their degree.
- Completing Co-op Work Terms additional to those required to obtain the Co-op Education Designation is considered optional and therefore outside the eligibility requirements for the Co-op Work Permit. Students who complete additional co-op work terms may be considered to be non-compliant with their co-op work permit and may find future applications to IRCC are affected.
- According to IRCC, Co-op employment cannot form more than 50% of the total program of study.
Once signed:
Once the International Student Agreement is signed
You will receive a Letter of Support from the Co-op Office with instructions on how to apply for a Co-op Work Permit.
- Co-op work permits from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) are required for all international students who wish to participate in the Co-op program at the University of Lethbridge. The co-op work permit must be received prior to commencing work in a co-op position. You will be able to access job postings only once you have a valid co-op work permit.
- Only registered students at the University of Lethbridge who have been accepted by the Co-op program will receive the required official letter of support to accompany your application for a co-op work permit.
- As application processing times can be lengthy, you should apply to the Co-op Program well before you intend to begin your first co-op term. If you have other questions about your eligibility to work, please see the International Student Advisor at the International Centre (SU040).
Applying for or renewing a Co-op Work Permit
Note: There is no fee to apply for or renew a co-op work permit from IRCC.
- You will need a confirmation letter from the co-op office that states that you are a registered U of L student who is part of the Co-op program, and that the employment sought is an essential part of your program of study in Canada. You will need this letter to accompany your application to IRCC. The support letter is received by reviewing and signing an International Student Agreement during the Intake process with your co-op coordinator.
- Please visit the International Centre website for procedures on how to apply online for your co-op work permit.
- Once you have successfully applied online, you will receive a confirmation email from IRCC. Please forward this email to our office so that we can update your file accordingly.
- Expect to receive a second email from IRCC once your co-op work permit has been approved. Please also forward this second email to our office.
- Once you have received your co-op work permit in the mail, you must provide the co-op office with a copy.
Co-op Work Permit Application Help
Please visit the International Centre and speak to a Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor (RISIA). Only authorized representatives such as RISIAs are permitted to provide advice regarding immigration applications such a study permits and Co-op Work Permits.
Co-op Work Permit Processing Times
Processing times depend on how busy the Case Processing Centre is at the time you apply. For updated processing times please check the IRCC website.
Co-op Work Permit Arrives
Please send the following items to co-op@uleth.ca:
- Email confirmation that Work Permit has been received from Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
- Email confirmation from IRCC that Work Permit has been approved
- Copy of Co-op Work Permit
NOTE: Continue to work with your Co-op Admissions Coordinator on your job application documents while waiting for your permit to come in.