Information for International Students

Co-op is available to all international students who meet the program admission criteria and who have a valid Study Permit, a Co-op Work Permit that is valid until the end of your next co-op work term and a Social Insurance Number.

You must have a valid Co-op Work Permit to apply for co-op work term placements. You cannot use an Off-Campus work permit. You cannot use a Co-op Work Permit for employment not related to your co-op.

The Co-op Work Permits are issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). There is no fee for a Co-op Work Permit. Co-op Work Permits can take a number of weeks to be processed so it's important to begin the application process at least six months before the start of the work term. If you need to renew your Study Permit, or Passport, you need to start the process even earlier. See the work term schedule for your program to determine when your first work term takes place.

Instructions for obtaining a Co-op Work Permit are found in the first unit of the on-line Online Co-op Orientation and Job Competition Preparation Course that will be made available to you once you have made application to the Co-op Program.

Please note the following: You require a letter from the Co-op Office confirming that you are required to complete the work term as part of your academic program. The letter is provided through the Co-op Orientation Workshop. You must have your Co-op Work Permit Application reviewed by an International Student Advisor (ISA) in the Dalhousie Dalhousie International Centre office.

• For important information on work permits, please read the information provided on the Dalhousie International Centre web site for Dal students.
• You are also required to have a Social Insurance Number. Information on obtaining a Social Insurance Number is available on the International Centre website..

Do I need HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE during my work term?

YES! Dalhousie requires that all international students have adequate health insurance while on their co-op work terms. To ensure you have adequate health insurance, contact the International Centre.