Co-op Work Permit

• Select: “Continue to GC Key” or “Continue to Sign-In Partner” (if you already have an account)
• If you don’t have an account, select Register and then choose either GC Key or Sign in Partner option
• Select: “Sign Up” (for GC Key only); follow the instructions. If you sign up for a GC Key, save the Username, Password, Account Recovery Questions, and Security Questions as you will require these later on to access your account.
• Select: “I accept” after reading the terms and conditions.

At the bottom of the page under “Start an Application”; click “Apply to Come to Canada”

If you did not answer the assessment questions previously, you do not have a Personal Reference Code, scroll down.

Scroll down and click on “Apply for Visitor Visa, Study and/or Work Permit” and answer all assessment questions.

When answering the eligibility questions please follow the instructions below:

It is important that you answer the following questions with the answers highlighted below (answer all other questions as they apply to you):

• “What would you like to do in Canada?”, select “Work”
• “Do you plan to work on campus?”, select “No” 
• “Is your work an essential part of your studies (for example, a Co-Op or internship program)?”, select “Yes” 
• “Do you have a written job offer?”, select “No” (even if you have a co-op/internship offer)
• Select “Co-op (in Canada)” when you get to the “Your results” page
• “Do you want to also apply for a study permit?”, select “No” if you are applying for your co-op WP only. Students who wish to apply for both a study permit extension (if your study permit is expiring in less than a year) AND co-op WP must select “Yes”
• “Have you had a medical exam performed by an IRCC authorized panel physician (doctor) within the last 12 months?”, select “No” if you have NOT completed an Immigration Medical Exam within the past 12 months (refer to the first point in the “IMPORTANT NOTES” section above if your co-op placement will be in healthcare or a childcare setting)
• If you answered “No” to the previous question, you will get the following question: “A medical exam is needed before you submit your application for foreign nationals who: want to stay in Canada for more than 6 months and lived in one of more designated countries or territories for more than six months in the past year….Do you fit into one of these categories”, select “No” if you have not been outside Canada for 6 months in the past year AND your co-op placement/practicum would not require you to work in one of the jobs listed on this page.
• “Are you giving someone access to your application?” Select “No” as you will be applying on your own

Note: If you are applying for a Study Permit extension with your co-op work permit, you must fill out the IMM5709 application form. Instructions for completing the IMM5709 are available on our Study Permit extension page.

Guidelines for completing the IMM 5710 Application Form:

Page ONE

• Q.3: First-time applicants select “A work permit with a new employer”;
• Applicants extending a current co-op work permit select “A work permit with the same employer”

Page THREE

Document Number in the “Coming to Canada” section: This number is a bold black number that starts with “F” followed by 9 digits at the top right of your study permit

DETAILS OF INTENDED WORK IN CANADA:

• Q.2: list “University of Alberta” as an employer
• Q.4: about your intended occupation, type “To be determined” in the relevant
  boxes of that section
• Q.5: on the “Duration of expected employment”: put the current date (the
  the date you complete the application) until the expiry date of your study permit
• Qs 6 & 7: leave boxes empty

EDUCATION

Select “No” if you are an undergraduate student. Select “Yes” if you are a graduate student; enter details of the most recent degree received.

EMPLOYMENT

If you have only been studying for the past ten years list details about the years you were a student and where you studied during that time. You do not need to include information about any work done during your study in Canada.

Page FOUR

Background Information Question 2(c): Have you previously applied to enter or remain in Canada? Select YES, as you entered Canada on your Study Permit. Include all dates and documents you applied for in the past in the available box including any entry as a visitor (e.g., first study permit: Aug. 2020, extended study permit Dec. 2022).

Read the step-by-step instructions on how to complete the IMM5710 form.

• Make a pdf scanned copy of your passport, with the pages clearly showing the passport number, the dates of issue, expiry date, name, date of birth, and the stamp made by the Canadian authorities on your most recent entry into Canada and any other marked pages.
• Scanned copy of original letter from your faculty/department stating that your internship/ co-op placement is an essential part of your program of study
• Digital passport-style photo

Save and upload IMM5710 form and supporting documents to document checklist in your online account.

If you saved your document on one of the International Services Centre computers, make sure you email a copy of the form to yourself as an attachment for future access before deleting the file from the computer!

IRCC processing office may request additional information to process your application after you have submitted your application. Always check your email and/or your online IRCC account for new messages.

Check online for weekly updates on processing times

The Government of Canada has introduced temporary measures allowing students to begin their co-op work placement before their co-op work permit is issued. The conditions for starting your co-op vary depending on its location:

For Students In Canada

• On-Campus Co-op Placements 
  • You may begin working full-time.
  • There are no restrictions on work hours for on-campus placements.
• Off-Campus Co-op Placements
  • You may work a total of 24 hours per week during an academic term or semester. 
  • You are not allowed to take on any additional off-campus employment while on your co-op placement.
  • If your placement occurs during scheduled breaks, you may work full-time.

• You may begin the placement if your school and employer agree to work remotely for a Canadian employer or complete the placement with a company in your home country.