International students normally apply for and receive co-op work permits in advance of starting their co-op work terms.
Due to the impact of the pandemic, there are delayed processing times at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and students are waiting longer than usual for their co-op work permits to be approved.
For co-op employers who are hiring international students, there is a temporary measure that allows these students to start their co-op jobs using the work authorization on their study permits, while waiting for their co-op work permits.
If the co-op work term is in the summer and students meet the requirement for a scheduled break* for immigration purposes, they can begin work full time on and off campus.
During the fall or winter terms, students may begin work:
- Off campus for up to 20 hours/week
- On campus for unlimited hours
Click here to read full details and advice from UBC International Student Advising. If you have any further questions, please contact arts.co-op@ubc.ca.
* A scheduled break is when a student takes at least 9 credits in Winter Term 2 before the summer and will continue to study as a full-time student in the term right after summer, taking at least 9 credits unless they are in their final term.
