International Students

All international co-op students are required to apply for a Co-op Work Permit before beginning their co-op work terms in Canada. Most students cannot work full-time without a valid work permit.

Carleton Co-operative Education provides international students with a Co-op Letter of Support required for the Co-op Work Permit application. Work permits can take three months or more to be processed. Students should apply for their Co-op Work Permit immediately after they receive the supporting documentation. The application process is through the IRCC website, and there is no application fee. 

Co-op Work Permits are typically valid for the same period as the student’s study permit. It is possible to apply to renew the study permit, and Co-op Work Permit together.

For more information about authorized work for international students and how to apply for a Co-op Work Permit, contact the Immigration Advising Team at Carleton’s International Student Services Office.

Once you receive your Co-op Work Permit, please e-mail the co-op office co-opprogram@carleton.ca indicating your student number and the expiry date of the permit.

Undergraduate International Students

International undergraduate students will receive their Co-op Letter of Support by October 15th if they are completing the COOP 1000 course during the Fall semester. Students completing COOP 1000 during the Winter semester will receive their Co-op Letter of Support by February 15th.

Graduate International Students

• Fall Admissions – International graduate students admitted into the Co-op Program for the Fall semester will receive their Co-op Letter of Support by August 31st if their co-op application is received by August 1st and they accept the Co-op Program Terms and Conditions.
• Winter Admissions – International graduate students admitted into the Co-op Program for the Winter semester will receive their Co-op Letter of Support by December 22nd if their application is received by December 1st and they accept the Co-op Program Terms and Conditions.
• Summer Admissions – International graduate students admitted into the Co-op Program for the summer semester will receive their Co-op Letter of Support by April 30th if their application is received by April 1st and they accept the Co-op Program Terms and Conditions.

To get started, sign in or create an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) secure account – IRCC Secure Account.

A step-by-step video of the application process is available for review on the COOP 1000 Brightspace course and Graduate Student Support Hub.

The Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a nine-digit number used for identification purposes. International students need to obtain a SIN in order to work in Canada. The International Student Services Office has instructions on applying for a SIN.