Co-op Work Placement
As of April 1, 2026, study-permit holders are no longer required to obtain a separate co-op work permit to participate in mandatory student work placements, such as co-ops, internships, field placements or practicums. Other eligibility criteria and requirements still apply – see details below.
International students must meet specific requirements and follow certain rules to participate in mandatory (required) work placements.
Eligibility requirements
If a student work placement is a mandatory part of your study program, you can participate if you meet all the following conditions:
- You have a condition printed on your initial study permit allowing you to work on campus.
- You have a letter from NAIT confirming that the work placement is required for your program.
- You can request this work placement letter through the Contact Form (select: Current Course/Program > International Students/Immigration > Contact Us)
- You have a valid study permit, or you applied to extend your study permit before it expired.
- You are a full-time student.
- The work placement is no more than 50% of your total program.
Work placements at NAIT
At NAIT, student work placements are called Work Integrated Learning (WIL) and can include co-op, clinical placements, field placements and internships.
View programs with WIL Experiences
Frequently asked questions
What are student work placements?
According to IRCC, a student work placement is a mandatory work experience that is approved by your program of studies.
For NAIT programs, these placements are referred to as Work Integrated Learning (WIL) and can include co-op placements, clinical placements, field placements and internships.
Learn more about WIL at NAIT
Does my NAIT program include a work placement?
Not all NAIT programs include a work placement. Some programs offer Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities, while others do not.
Types of work placements may include:
- Co-op
- Clinical placement
- Field placement
- Mandatory professional practices
To find out if your program includes a work placement, refer to the list of programs with Work Integrated Learning (WIL) experiences..
View programs with WIL experiences
How do I request a work placement letter?
As an international student, you must request a student work placement letter from NAIT to confirm that a work placement is a required part of your study program.
To request this letter:
- Go to the Contact Form
- Sign in by selecting I have my NAIT Username/Password
- Select Current Course/Program
- Choose International Students/Immigration
- Then select Contact Us
- Follow the prompts to complete the online form
I already submitted a Co-op Work Permit application to IRCC. What will happen to my application?
IRCC has indicated that they will be withdrawing co-op work permit applications. Alternatively, you can withdraw the application on your IRCC account.
Can I use my study permit's off-campus work authorization while completing my student work placement?
Yes, you can maintain a part-time job while completing a student work placement as long as you meet the eligibility requirements to work off-campus.
Where can I find support with my job applications?
If you need help navigating Canadian job applications, you're encouraged to make an appointment and meet with one of NAIT's career advisors! A career advisor can give you helpful tips on job search strategies, review your resume or CV, and help strengthen your cover letter.
The immigration information on this page has been reviewed and endorsed by Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCIC) in compliance with the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. However, this is not a legal document and information may change without notice.
Looking for more information?
We're here and happy to help answer your questions! You can submit any Immigration questions through NAIT.ca/help. We also recommend you check out the Government of Canada's Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship page for all up to date information.