IRCC Eliminates Post-Secondary Co-op Work Permits (C32) – Pending Applications to Be Withdrawn

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Ottawa, April 16, 2026 – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued a program delivery update confirming the elimination of the post-secondary co-op work permit (administrative code C32) effective April 1, 2026. Eligible post-secondary students no longer need a separate work permit for co-op placements, internships, practicums, or mentorship programs – they can now use their on-campus work authorization instead.

As part of this change, IRCC will administratively withdraw all pending C32 applications , whether submitted before or after April 1, 2026. Applicants will receive a letter confirming the withdrawal and may begin their work placements immediately without waiting for the letter.

Work Permit Type	Administrative Code	Status as of April 1, 2026
Post-secondary co-op	C32	Eliminated (no longer required)
Research	C31	Remains in effect
Secondary school co-op	C33	Remains in effect

Key takeaway: Post-secondary international students in Canada no longer need to apply for a co-op work permit. Their on-campus work authorization now covers student work placements, including those outside campus boundaries. Pending C32 applications will be automatically withdrawn.

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On This Page

• What Is Changing? Elimination of C32 Co-op Work Permits
• Administrative Withdrawal of Pending C32 Applications
• Research Work Permits (C31): Who Is Eligible
• Secondary School Co-op Permits (C33): Still Required
• Work Locations and Conditions for Post-Secondary Students
• Outside Canada vs. In Canada: Work Placement Options
• Fees: All C31, C32, C33 Permits Are Fee-Exempt
• Previous Updates and Official Sources
• Frequently Asked Questions

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What Is Changing? Elimination of C32 Co-op Work Permits

The April 16, 2026, update removes the requirement for post-secondary co-op work permits (administrative code C32) under the International Mobility Program. This change aligns with the expanded definition of on-campus work announced on April 1, 2026.

Before April 1, 2026

Student Level	Co-op Work Permit Required?
Post-secondary	Yes (C32)
Secondary	Yes (C33)

After April 1, 2026

Student Level	Authorization Method
Post-secondary	On-campus work authorization (no separate permit)
Secondary	Still requires C33 co-op work permit

What This Means for Students

• Post-secondary students can now participate in student work placements (co-op placements, internships, practicums, mentorship programs) using their existing study permit's on-campus work authorization.
• There is no limit on work hours for these placements.
• The work placement cannot total more than 50% of the student's study program.
• The work must be an essential part of the academic, vocational, or professional training program offered by a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).

Note: This provision applies only to work required for a program offered by a Canadian institution. Administrative code C32 does not apply if the employment is a requirement of a program offered by a foreign institution.

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Administrative Withdrawal of Pending C32 Applications

IRCC has confirmed that all pending C32 applications – whether received before or after April 1, 2026 – will be administratively withdrawn. Officers will not review any C32 applications in the inventory.

Process for Administrative Withdrawal

Step	Action
1	Officer identifies C32 application in GCMS (Global Case Management System)
2	Officer enters a note regarding the administrative withdrawal
3	Officer sends a letter to the applicant indicating the withdrawal
4	Officer uploads a copy of the letter in the system

Key Points for Applicants

Issue	Details
Will my application be processed?	No – all C32 applications will be withdrawn without review
Will I get a refund?	No refund needed – C32 applications are fee exempt (no fee was charged)
When can I start my work placement?	Immediately – even before receiving the withdrawal letter
Will I receive confirmation?	Yes – you will receive a letter indicating the withdrawal

Important: Students may begin their student work placement even if they have not yet received the administrative withdrawal letter.

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Research Work Permits (C31): Who Is Eligible

Administrative code C31 (research) remains in effect. It is intended for foreign nationals who are:

Category	Description
International Development Research Centre	Coming to Canada to work temporarily for the IDRC
Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd.	Sponsored as distinguished scientists or post-doctoral fellows
NRC, NSERC, or NRCan	Sponsored by the National Research Council, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, or Natural Resources Canada
Post-doctoral Research Program	Sponsored by a department/agency associated with NRCan participating in the program
Research chair positions	Holders of research chair positions at a Canadian university, nominated for research excellence and partially/wholly funded by federal or provincial governments

Fee exemption: Applicants under C31 are exempt from the work permit processing fee and the open work permit fee.

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Secondary School Co-op Permits (C33): Still Required

Administrative code C33 remains in effect for secondary school (high school) international students. This includes:

• Study permit holders who need to complete work as an essential part of a Canadian program at the secondary school level
• Vocational training programs offered by a DLI in Quebec
• Programs requiring students to work to obtain their secondary/high school diploma or certificate of graduation

Not Eligible for C33

Students are not eligible for a C33 co-op work permit if they are undertaking:

• ❌ General interest courses
• ❌ Preparatory courses
• ❌ Work-study programs offered by institutions that primarily offer English or French as a second language (ESL/FSL) courses
• ❌ Business-type programs containing primarily ESL/FSL courses (officers may request more information about the curriculum)

Fee exemption: Applicants under C33 are also exempt from work permit processing fees.

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Work Locations and Conditions for Post-Secondary Students

Under the new rules, post-secondary students can perform their student work placements in locations not restricted by campus boundaries .

Work Type	Authorization	Hour Limit
Student work placement (co-op, internship, practicum, mentorship)	On-campus work authorization (R186(f))	No limit
On-campus employment (campus jobs)	On-campus work authorization	No limit
Off-campus employment	Standard off-campus work authorization	24 hours/week (during academic sessions)

Students may accept employment on campus in addition to their student work placement work.

Conditions for Student Work Placements

Condition	Requirement
Essential part of program	DLI acceptance letter must clearly establish that work is required for all participants to receive their degree/diploma/certificate
Maximum duration	Work cannot form more than 50% of the total program of study
Full-time studies	Students must remain enrolled in full-time studies (except final semester)
Valid study permit	Study permit must include on-campus work authorization conditions

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Outside Canada vs. In Canada: Work Placement Options

For Students Outside Canada

Students who are outside Canada can work while their study permit is being processed. With school and employer agreement, they can either:

Option	Description
Remote work for Canadian employer	Accept a Canadian work placement and begin working remotely from their home country
Work for home country employer	Work for a company in their home country

For Students Inside Canada

Work that is an essential part of a post-secondary program can be performed in other locations not restricted by campus boundaries . Students may use their on-campus work authorization for their student work placements, provided they meet all eligibility requirements.

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Fees: All C31, C32, C33 Permits Are Fee-Exempt

Administrative Code	Permit Type	Fee Status
C31	Research	Fee exempt
C32	Post-secondary co-op (eliminated)	Was fee exempt
C33	Secondary school co-op	Fee exempt

Source: IRPR R299(2)(e) and R303.2(2)(a)

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Previous Updates

This instruction page was previously updated on:

• November 10, 2025

The April 16, 2026, update represents a major policy shift eliminating the C32 co-op work permit for post-secondary students.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do post-secondary students still need a co-op work permit (C32)?

No. As of April 1, 2026, post-secondary students no longer need a separate co-op work permit. They can use their on-campus work authorization for student work placements.

What happens to my pending C32 application?

IRCC will administratively withdraw all pending C32 applications. You will receive a letter confirming the withdrawal. No refund is needed because there was no fee.

Can I start my work placement before receiving the withdrawal letter?

Yes. You may begin your student work placement immediately, even without the withdrawal letter.

Do secondary school students still need a co-op work permit?

Yes. Secondary school (high school) students still need a C33 co-op work permit. The elimination of C32 does not apply to them.

What is a C31 work permit?

C31 is for researchers coming to Canada under specific programs (e.g., International Development Research Centre, Atomic Energy of Canada, NRC, NSERC, NRCan, or research chair positions). It remains in effect.

Is there a fee for C31 or C33 work permits?

No. Both C31 and C33 work permits are fee exempt.

Can I work off campus in addition to my co-op placement?

Yes. You can work on campus (including placements) with no hour limit, and also work off campus up to 24 hours per week during academic sessions, provided you meet all eligibility requirements.

What if my study permit doesn't have on-campus work conditions?

Check your study permit. It should include conditions allowing on-campus work. If not, you may need to request an amendment. You cannot work without the proper conditions.

Does this change affect my Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility?

No. PGWP eligibility rules remain unchanged. Your work placement experience may still count toward PGWP requirements if it meets the criteria.

Where can I find the official instructions?

The official instructions are available on the IRCC website under "Work related to a research, educational or training program [R205(c)(i) – C31, C32 and C33] – Canadian interests – International Mobility Program."

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Official Sources

Resource	Link
IRCC Program Delivery Updates	canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals.html
On-campus and student work placement work	IRCC website
International Mobility Program	canada.ca/immigration/international-mobility-program

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Bottom Line

IRCC has officially eliminated the post-secondary co-op work permit (C32) effective April 1, 2026, and will administratively withdraw all pending applications.

Key takeaways for different audiences:

Audience	What You Need to Know
Post-secondary students with pending C32	Application will be withdrawn automatically. Start your placement now – no need to wait.
Post-secondary students planning co-op	No C32 application needed. Use on-campus work authorization. Ensure study permit has correct conditions.
Secondary school students	Still need C33 co-op work permit. No change.
Researchers (C31)	No change. Still need C31 work permit (fee exempt).
Employers	Post-secondary students can start placements immediately. No need to wait for co-op permit approval.

This change reduces administrative burden for students, simplifies the process for employers, and aligns with IRCC's broader effort to streamline the International Student Program.

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