Co-op Without a Co-op Permit and the Frozen PGWP List: Study to Work in Canada for 2027

Since 1 April 2026, eligible post-secondary international students in Canada no longer need a separate co-op work permit for a work placement that their programme requires, and IRCC has said it will not add or remove any eligible PGWP fields of study during 2026. Both points matter for a 2027 intake, but neither is a promise about 2027 itself. IRCC's pages say nothing about whether the field-of-study list will change next year, so the safest plan is to pick a programme that does not depend on the list. This article uses IRCC pages I opened on 6 November 2026.

Co-op Without a Co-op Work Permit

IRCC's notice of 9 April 2026 says that as of 1 April 2026, eligible post-secondary students no longer need a separate permit for placements their programme requires, such as co-ops and internships. IRCC describes it as removing an administrative step so students need one permit for one programme. It says the change does not raise the number of students allowed to work. Pending co-op work permit applications are withdrawn by IRCC, and students do not need to act.

IRCC's student work placement page lists the conditions. All must be met:

• Your initial study permit carries a condition allowing you to work on campus.
• You hold a letter from your designated learning institution (DLI) confirming that the placement is a requirement of your programme.
• You have a valid study permit, or applied to extend it before it expired.
• You are a full-time student at a DLI in a post-secondary academic, vocational or professional programme.
• The work placement totals 50% or less of the programme.

IRCC says there is no weekly hour limit for student work placements. Secondary students still need a co-op work permit. Ask your DLI for the placement letter early, because it is the document IRCC names, and check the wording printed on your permit. If the work condition is missing, IRCC says you can request an amendment without a fee.

The 24-Hour Off-Campus Limit

Off-campus work is separate from a placement. You can work up to 24 hours a week during academic sessions, across one or more jobs, and unlimited hours during breaks scheduled by your DLI, such as summer, winter holidays or reading week. If your programme has no scheduled breaks, the 24-hour limit applies throughout. IRCC lists these requirements:

• You are a full-time student at a DLI and have started your programme.
• Your programme is at least 6 months long and leads to a degree, diploma or certificate.
• Your initial study permit has conditions allowing off-campus work, and you have a social insurance number.
• You cannot work off campus if you are only in an ESL or FSL programme, only taking general interest courses, or only taking courses required before a full-time programme.

You can start working only when your programme starts, not before. Part-time students may qualify in their last semester if they do not need a full course load to finish and were full-time earlier in Canada. Employers and students share the duty to confirm eligibility before the first shift.

PGWP Basics Before the List

The post-graduation work permit (PGWP) needs a programme at a PGWP-eligible DLI that lasts at least 8 months (900 hours in Quebec). You must study full-time in each semester, with part-time allowed in the final semester, and apply within 180 days of confirmation that you completed the programme. Programmes under many curriculum licensing arrangements are excluded, with limited exceptions. IRCC's fee list shows a CAD 155 work permit fee and a CAD 100 open work permit holder fee, which is CAD 255 for an open permit.

Validity depends on programme length. A programme of 2 years or more may get a 3-year PGWP. A programme from 8 months to under 2 years may get a permit up to the length of the programme. A master's degree of at least 8 months can get a 3-year PGWP even if it is under 2 years. This does not apply to certificates or diplomas.

The PGWP Language Test

Most applicants must now give proof of English or French. If you apply on or after 1 November 2024 and are not exempt, the required levels are:

IRCC accepts CELPIP General, IELTS General Training, PTE Core, TEF Canada and TCF Canada. For CLB 7, its table needs IELTS General Training at 6.0 in each skill, and CELPIP General at 7 in each. For CLB 5, IELTS needs 4.0 in reading and 5.0 in writing, listening and speaking, and CELPIP needs 5 in each. The page lists IELTS General Training, so if you sat IELTS Academic for admission, confirm what IRCC will accept before you rely on it. I did not find a result-validity period on the page, so check it before you book a test.

The Field-of-Study List and What "Frozen" Means

The requirement does not apply to bachelor's, master's or doctoral graduates. For other university programmes and for college, polytechnic and non-university programmes, the study permit application date decides: for applications on or after 1 November 2024, you must graduate in an eligible field. IRCC says your six-digit CIP code must be on the list when you submit either your study permit application or your PGWP application.

The list is linked to jobs in long-term shortage and covers six broad areas: science, technology, engineering and maths; healthcare and social services; education; trades; agriculture and agri-food; and transport. It changed on 25 June 2025, and part of that change was reversed on 4 July 2025. The list page shows "Last updated: July 4, 2025". IRCC says students who applied for a study permit before 25 June 2025 remain eligible if their field was on the list when they applied.

"Frozen" therefore has a narrow meaning. IRCC's field-of-study page says "For 2026, we won't add or remove any eligible fields of study," and also says the list "can change based on the needs of the Canadian labour market." It gives no review schedule and says nothing about 2027. If you are in a diploma or certificate programme that starts in 2027, you carry that risk. On IRCC's wording, a CIP code that is on the list when you submit your study permit application meets the test, but verify that on the current page.

Planning a 2027 Intake

1. Prefer a degree if the career goal is Canadian work. A bachelor's, master's or doctoral programme avoids the field-of-study test. The language test still applies.
2. For a diploma, check the CIP code. Find the six-digit code on your acceptance letter and match it to IRCC's current list before you pay a deposit.
3. Ask about placements. If a co-op is part of the course, confirm that it is required for completion, is 50% or less of the programme, and that your DLI will issue the letter.
4. Plan the language test early. A bachelor's or master's graduate needs CLB 7 in every skill, so one weak skill matters.
5. Count your hours. Keep a record of your off-campus work against the 24-hour weekly limit.
6. Check money and spouse rules. Our guides cover study permit funds for 2027 intakes and the spousal open work permit.

For the permit itself, see our PGWP page, the designated learning institutions page and our study permit cap guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I still need a co-op work permit?

Not if you are a post-secondary student who meets IRCC's conditions. Secondary students still need one.

Is there an hour limit during a co-op placement?

IRCC's placement page says there is no weekly hour limit for student work placements. The placement must total 50% or less of the programme.

Does a master's or bachelor's degree need an eligible field of study?

No. IRCC exempts bachelor's, master's and doctoral graduates from the field-of-study requirement. The language requirement still applies.

Is the PGWP field-of-study list frozen for 2027?

IRCC says nothing about 2027. Its page says no fields will be added or removed for 2026, and also says the list can change with labour market needs.

What CLB level does the PGWP need?

CLB 7 or NCLC 7 in all four skills for bachelor's, master's, doctoral and other university programmes, and CLB 5 or NCLC 5 for college and other non-university programmes.

Can I work off campus before my course starts?

No. IRCC says you can only start working in Canada when you start your study programme.

How long can a PGWP be?

Up to 3 years. A programme of 2 years or more may get 3 years, and so may a master's degree of at least 8 months. Other shorter programmes may get up to the programme length.