Co-op Work Permit vs. PGWP: Key Differences for Ontario Students

If you’re an international student in Ontario nearing the end of your program, you’ve probably heard two very different terms used almost interchangeably: the co-op work permit and the PGWP. Both let you work in Canada, but they exist for different reasons at different points in your academic journey. Confusing the two can leave you with a work authorization gap or a missed application window.

This article compares the co-op work permit and the post-graduation work permit (PGWP) side by side: what each is for, how eligibility differs, and how the timing fits around your study permit.

What a Co-op Work Permit Is For

A co-op (or internship/field placement) work permit exists because some postsecondary programs require a work placement as a mandatory, graded part of the curriculum — not something you chose on the side, but something your school says you must complete to graduate. Because that placement counts as employment, IRCC requires a separate work permit before it begins, even though you already hold a valid study permit.

Key features:

• It’s an employer-specific work permit tied to the placement, not an open work permit you can use anywhere.
• Your school must confirm in writing that the placement is an essential, mandatory part of your program.
• The placement generally has to make up less than half of your total program of study.
• You need a valid study permit to hold a co-op work permit — one can’t exist without the other.
• Because the placement is a required academic component rather than a standard labour-market hire, it’s generally treated as an exception to the usual employer LMIA process for that specific placement.

If your program includes more than one mandatory placement, you may need more than one co-op work permit — confirm with your school’s international student office rather than assuming one permit covers every placement.

What the PGWP Is For

The PGWP is a different tool entirely: an open work permit issued after you finish your studies, letting you work for almost any employer without that employer sponsoring you.

• You must have graduated from a designated learning institution (DLI) and met the program-type rules that applied when your study permit was issued.
• For study permits issued on or after November 1, 2024, non-degree programs (below the bachelor’s level) must also be on an eligible field-of-study list; graduates of a bachelor’s degree or higher, including college bachelor’s degrees, are exempt from that list.
• PGWP length is generally tied to the length of the study program you completed, up to a maximum — it isn’t a flat term for everyone.
• Most people are eligible to receive a PGWP only once in their lifetime.

Because it’s open, you don’t need a job offer to apply, and you can change employers freely once it’s issued.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Getting the Timing Right

1. Before your placement starts — apply for the co-op work permit with enough lead time for processing. Working before it’s approved isn’t authorized, even with a valid study permit.
2. During your studies — the co-op permit is tied to that specific placement; it doesn’t extend into the rest of your program or into life after graduation.
3. After you complete your program — apply for the PGWP once you’ve received confirmation you’ve met your completion requirements. There’s a limited window to apply, so check the current deadline before your studies wrap up — missing it can end PGWP eligibility altogether.

Eligibility Mistakes That Cost Students Work Authorization

• Assuming off-campus work rules cover a co-op placement. Full-time students can often work off-campus without a separate permit under conditions tied to their study permit, but that’s narrower than what a mandatory co-op placement requires.
• Waiting to apply for the PGWP. Because the application window is time-limited, delaying past it can end eligibility entirely.
• Assuming any non-degree program qualifies for a PGWP. If your study permit was issued on or after November 1, 2024 and your program is below the bachelor’s level, confirm it’s still on the eligible field-of-study list.
• Using up a PGWP without realizing it’s one-time. Using it after a shorter program can limit your options after a later one.

Which Permit Do You Actually Need?

• [ ] Your program requires a mandatory placement to graduate → you likely need a co-op work permit, applied for before it starts.
• [ ] You’ve already graduated and want to work for any employer → the PGWP is the relevant option, applied for within the eligibility window.
• [ ] You’re unsure whether your placement counts as "mandatory" → confirm with your school’s international student office first.
• [ ] You’ve already used a PGWP once → you generally can’t apply for a second one.

Frequently asked questions