Back to school: What employers need to know about hiring international students

By Brittany C. Trafford, Chiara Nannucci, and Erickson Miranda, Summer Law Student

As university and college students head back to class this month, many international students will be applying for work. These students are a vital part of the Canadian workforce, and employers must understand how to verify that international students are properly authorized to work.

Recent changes by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (“IRCC”) to streamline study and work authorizations for post-secondary international students will affect the documentation that students are required to present.

International students working off campus on study permits

International students may work up to 24 hours per week off campus and full time during scheduled school breaks based on their study permit. The permitted number of off-campus hours has fluctuated over the past few years, and employers should be aware of the current restrictions to avoid situations of unauthorized employment.

Employers should confirm that the student is actively enrolled in school full time and carefully review the study permit to ensure it authorizes off-campus work. This is important because students who have completed their studies or are enrolled in school part time are generally not eligible to work off campus on the basis of their study permit unless specific requirements are met.

Work placements and changes to co-op work permits

Previously, international students whose programs included a practicum, internship, or co-op requirement could be issued a special “co-op work permit” allowing them to complete a work placement with an employer. These work placements were, and continue to be, distinct from ordinary off-campus employment, as there is no weekly limit on the number of hours a student may work during a work placement.

Effective April 1, 2026, eligible post-secondary international students are no longer required to obtain a separate co-op work permit to participate in work placements that form a mandatory component of their academic program. Instead, eligible students may now complete required work placements under their study permit alone, provided they continue to satisfy all applicable study permit conditions.

The purpose of this change is to eliminate the administrative burden of requiring students to hold both a study permit and a work permit to complete a single educational program.

While these changes are helpful for international students, they likely create additional confusion for employers who remain responsible for ensuring that students do not exceed the permitted weekly hours of off-campus work.

To qualify as a student work placement, the placement must be a mandatory requirement for the completion of the student’s program of study. Examples include, but are not limited to, co-op placements, internships, practicums, and mentorship programs. Furthermore, the total duration of the work placement must not exceed 50% of the overall program of study at the Canadian institution.

When a student approaches an employer about a study-related work placement, the employer must verify that that the student is eligible to work and that the work placement is a mandatory component of the student’s program of study.

Notably, some international students may still present valid co-op work permits issued before the changes came into effect. Employers need to understand that these permits authorize only work required for the student’s program of study and must confirm that the placement meets that requirement.

Employer’s responsibilities

To summarize, employers are legally responsible for ensuring that any international student they hire is properly authorized to work and does not exceed the permitted number of off-campus hours.

Where an international student presents a co-op work permit or requests to work as part of their studies, the employer must take additional steps to confirm the work is authorized, particularly if the student’s hours are intended to exceed 24 per week.

If you have questions about eligibility for student work placements, study permit conditions, co-op work permits, or the transition away from co-op work permit requirements, our Immigration Group can help.

This client update is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have any questions about the above, please contact the author, or a member of our Immigration Group.

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