The IEC International Co-op stream enables students enrolled in post-secondary programmes abroad to complete mandatory co-operative education or internship placements in Canada without their Canadian host employer needing to obtain an LMIA. The placement must be a formal, mandatory component of the student’s academic programme — not an optional internship or personal initiative. This makes the stream more narrowly targeted than the other two IEC streams, but it is extremely valuable for students whose curricula include a Canadian placement component.

Like the Young Professionals stream, the International Co-op permits are employer-specific (closed work permits tied to the named Canadian hosting organisation). And like both other IEC streams, participation in International Co-op counts as one lifetime IEC participation — students should understand that using this stream means they cannot separately use a Working Holiday permit, in most cases.

Eligibility Requirements

• For students completing a mandatory co-op or internship as part of their post-secondary program abroad
• Employer (Canadian organization hosting the co-op) submits Offer of Employment through IRCC portal
• Work placement must be an official part of applicant’s foreign academic program
• Must provide a letter from academic institution confirming co-op is mandatory for graduation
• Age typically 18–35 (varies by country)
• Counts as one lifetime IEC participation

The Mandatory Co-op Requirement

The defining eligibility criterion for the International Co-op stream is that the work placement must be mandatory for the completion of the student’s degree, diploma, or certificate programme at a foreign (non-Canadian) post-secondary institution. ‘Mandatory’ means that the student cannot graduate without completing the placement — optional internship credits or elective work terms do not qualify.

Evidence of this requirement must come from the student’s institution, not from the student themselves. IRCC requires a letter from the academic institution confirming that the co-op placement is a mandatory graduation requirement, identifying the student by name and programme, and specifying the duration and nature of the required work term.

Students who are completing a co-op at a Canadian institution under a study permit do not use the IEC Co-op stream — they use their on-campus work permit or the off-campus work authorisation attached to their study permit. The IEC Co-op is specifically for students enrolled at a foreign institution completing a placement in Canada.

Employer Requirements and the Offer of Employment

The Canadian organisation hosting the co-op placement must submit an Offer of Employment through IRCC’s Employer Portal before the student can apply. The employer pays the $230 compliance fee. The placement must be genuine — IRCC does not accept arrangements where the hosting organisation is not providing a real work experience aligned with the student’s academic programme.

Many universities and colleges in Canada and abroad have established co-op office partnerships. However, students who independently arrange their own co-op placement with a Canadian employer can also use this stream, provided the institutional confirmation letter from their home school confirms the mandatory nature of the placement.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the IEC International Co-op stream:

• Be a citizen of a country with an IEC agreement that includes the Co-op sub-category
• Be enrolled in a post-secondary programme at a foreign institution (not a Canadian institution)
• The co-op or internship must be mandatory for graduation — confirmed by institutional letter
• Age: typically 18–35 (varies by country agreement)
• Minimum $2,500 CAD in accessible funds
• Health insurance for the placement period
• Confirmed Offer of Employment from the Canadian hosting organisation

Application Process and Fees

The Co-op application follows the IEC pool-and-draw model:

1. Student creates an IEC profile selecting the International Co-op stream.
2. Canadian employer submits Offer of Employment through the IRCC Employer Portal ($230 compliance fee).
3. IRCC issues Invitation to Apply. Student submits the full work permit application including institutional co-op letter, employer offer number, proof of enrolment, passport, biometrics, proof of funds, and health insurance.
4. IRCC processes the application — approximately 2–3 months.
5. Work permit is issued for the duration of the co-op placement.

The IEC fee is $184.75 plus $85 biometrics. Unlike open work permit types, no separate $100 open work permit holder fee applies since this is a closed permit.

How VGIS Can Help

International Co-op applications involve both student and employer documentation requirements and must be timed to the IEC draw cycle. Dimple Verma, RCIC-IRB #R708308, advises students and co-op hosting organisations on IEC Co-op eligibility, application preparation, and post-placement immigration options. Book a paid consultation to discuss your co-op placement situation.

Fees & Costs

Fee Component	Amount (CAD)
Government Fee	$184.75 (IEC fee). Employer compliance fee: $230.
Biometrics	$85 individual

Fees current as of 2026. IRCC may update fees periodically — confirm on the official source link below before paying.

Key Documents Required

• Letter from foreign academic institution confirming mandatory co-op requirement
• Employer offer of employment (via IRCC portal)
• Passport from IEC-eligible country
• Proof of enrollment in eligible post-secondary program
• Biometrics
• Proof of funds

Frequently Asked Questions

My programme has an optional internship component — does that qualify for IEC Co-op?

No. The co-op or internship must be mandatory for graduation. Optional internship credits, elective work terms, or voluntarily arranged placements do not qualify for the IEC International Co-op stream. If your work experience in Canada is not mandatory for your degree, you would need to use the Working Holiday or another work permit pathway instead.

Can the hosting organisation be any Canadian company or does it need to be a DLI?

The hosting organisation can be any eligible Canadian employer — it does not need to be a Designated Learning Institution. Companies, non-profits, government agencies, research institutions, and other organisations can all host IEC Co-op placements, provided they submit the Offer of Employment through the IRCC portal and pay the $230 compliance fee.

How long can the IEC Co-op work permit last?

The work permit is issued for the duration of the co-op placement as specified in the employer’s Offer of Employment and the student’s programme requirements. The maximum duration is determined by the length of the co-op requirement and the IEC bilateral agreement for the student’s country. It is generally between a few months and one year.

Does an IEC Co-op placement count as Canadian work experience for immigration purposes?

Work performed in Canada under an IEC Co-op work permit does count as work experience in Canada. However, because co-op placements are typically shorter (a few months to a year) and may be at an entry or trainee level, the NOC classification and the hours accumulated are important. For Canadian Experience Class eligibility, you need at least one year of full-time skilled work experience — a single co-op term likely will not reach this threshold on its own.

If I use the IEC Co-op stream, can I also do a Working Holiday later?

Generally no. Each IEC stream counts as one lifetime participation, and most bilateral agreements allow only one IEC participation total per person. Using the Co-op stream typically exhausts your IEC eligibility for Working Holiday. If you anticipate wanting to return to Canada for more open-ended work experience after graduation, consider whether Working Holiday or Co-op better serves your long-term goals.

Official Government Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/iec/international-co-op.html

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Disclaimer: This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration laws and IRCC policies change frequently. For advice specific to your case, please book a paid consultation with our licensed RCIC-IRB. VG Immigration Services Inc. — Dimple Verma, RCIC-IRB #R708308.