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Co-op Work Permit and Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)

Published date: May 2023 Author: AdmitSpot Immigration Team


Are you an international student looking to study in Canada and gain valuable work experience? Well, you're in luck because Canada offers a unique opportunity through its Co-op Work Permit program and Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP). With a study permit and co-op work permit in hand, you can enhance your education by working in your field of study while gaining valuable Canadian work experience. In this blog, we'll dive into Co-op Work Permits and PGWPs in Canada. So, let's get started and discover how you can take advantage of this exciting opportunity during your studies in Canada!

What is Co-Op Work Permit?

The Co-op Work Permit program is an excellent opportunity for international students to gain work experience in Canada while studying. While international students are allowed to work on and off campus while studying, some study programs require students to work full-time as an integral part of their education. This is where the Co-op program, also known as an internship, comes in, and having a Co-op work permit is essential to participate in it.

If you're an international student and your ongoing study program requires you to gain mandatory work experience in Canada within your field of education, you must apply for a Co-op work permit. To be eligible for a Co-op or intern work permit, you must meet the following conditions:

You have a valid study permit.
You are required to work in order to complete your study program in Canada.
You have a letter from your school confirming that all students in your program need to complete work placements to receive their degrees.
Your co-op placement or internship totals 50% or less of your study program.

You are not eligible for a co-op work permit if you’re taking one of the following:

English or French as a second language (ESL/FSL),
General interest courses, or
Courses to prepare for another study program.

If you’re not eligible for a co-op work permit, but you want to work in Canada, you need to apply for a work permit.

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Types of Permits in Canada
Eligibility

To obtain a Co-Op work permit in Canada, meeting the eligibility criteria is crucial. These include:

Having a Letter of Acceptance from a Canadian Designated Learning Institution.
Having a letter from the Canadian institute confirming that work placements are mandatory to obtain your degree.
Possessing a valid study permit.
Providing proof of financial sufficiency, funds, or loans.

Ensuring you meet these requirements will help to streamline the application process and increase your chances of obtaining a Co-Op work permit in Canada.

Basic Document Requirements for Co-Op Work Permit
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As an international student planning to study and work in Canada, there are several documents that you'll need to prepare. These documents are required to ensure that you meet the necessary requirements to obtain a Co-Op work permit in Canada. Among these documents, the following are essential:

A valid passport, which serves as your primary identification document.
A Letter of Acceptance from a Canadian college or university, confirming that you have been accepted to a designated learning institution.
All transcripts from previously attended schools and institutions.
A valid study permit, which is required to attend school and work in Canada.
Postgraduate Work Permit

The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is a key aspect of Canadian immigration that provides a unique opportunity for international students. Upon graduation from Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI) universities and colleges, students can apply for open work permits through the PGWP program. This enables them to work for any employer, anywhere in Canada, for as many hours as they wish. PGWPs are valid for a period ranging from eight months to three years, and offer a valuable way for graduates to gain Canadian work experience. Furthermore, the PGWP can also help graduates obtain permanent residency in Canada in the future.

To apply for a PGWP from within Canada, applicants must have valid status at the time of application. If their study permit has expired or will expire soon, they may apply for status as a visitor before applying for the PGWP. However, applicants who apply for a PGWP before their study permit expires are eligible to begin working full-time immediately, while their application is being processed.

Alternatively, applicants may apply for a PGWP from overseas. However, additional documentation may be required depending on the visa office processing the application. Regardless of the location of the application, the PGWP is an excellent way for international students to gain valuable work experience in Canada and potentially pave the way towards permanent residency.

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To know more about the process and other details about PGWP, read our blog
Eligibility

To obtain a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) in Canada, meeting the eligibility criteria is crucial. The applicant must have:

Graduated from a full-time academic or professional program from a DLI College, usually longer than eight months.
Received a graduation letter and an official transcript letter.
Completed full-time continuous study, except for the final semester as part-time studies are allowed.
Applied within 180 days of graduation and must not be involved in any work associated with completing the program of study (Co-op) after the application.

You can apply from within Canada if holding valid temporary status (e.g., student status or visitor) or from outside Canada if left Canada.

Basic Document Requirements
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To apply for a co-op work permit in Canada, international students must provide certain documents to demonstrate their eligibility. These documents are necessary to verify the student's academic status and legal permission to work in Canada. Here are the documents required for a co-op work permit application:

Valid Passport
All official Transcripts
College Graduation Letter
Legal Status document if applied within Canada

If you're seeking guidance on your Co-Op work permit or PGWP application, don't worry. You are just a step away. Book a free consultation session with our team of experts at AdmitSpot. We're here to help you with your Canadian immigration journey and answer any questions you may have.

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