The University of Alberta Students’ Union (UASU) welcomes and is celebrating a significant policy shift from the federal government that will eliminate the requirement for international students to obtain a separate work permit for co-op work terms. This change, which the federal government has implemented on an interim basis which started April 1, 2026, will expand “on-campus” work authorizations to include work that is an essential part of a student’s study program, even if it takes place off campus.
"This is a major victory for international students who have long been burdened in their ability to participate in the very work experiences that make a Canadian education so valuable," said Abdul Abbasi, UASU Vice President (External). "International students contribute over $30 billion to Canada’s GDP, yet they have faced unnecessary barriers and delays just to complete their degree requirements. We are pleased to see the federal government listen to our concerns and take action to ensure students can gain the experience they need to simply complete their degrees."
This announcement follows sustained advocacy from the UASU and its federal advocacy coalition, the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA). The removal of these permit requirements was a key recommendation in CASA’s federal pre-budget submission, and VP Abbasi has been a leading voice on this issue as CASA Chair, having met directly with the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to push for this reform.
The previous system, which saw average processing times of four months for international student work permits, often forced students to miss crucial deadlines and even risked their student visa status. "With half of international students currently enrolled in work-integrated learning programs," said UASU President Pedro Almeida, "this streamlined process can help ease the experience of students who are already here."
The UASU looks forward to the full publication of these updates and will continue to collaborate with CASA and federal partners to ensure the transition is smooth and that international students are supported throughout their educational journey.
About the UASU
The University of Alberta Students' Union (UASU) represents 39,000 undergraduate students at the University of Alberta. We advocate for a post-secondary system that is affordable, accessible, and built around student success.