Canada has announced a significant policy change that will benefit many international students. Beginning April 1, 2026, post-secondary students who must complete a work placement as part of their program no longer need to apply for a separate co-op work permit. This adjustment is intended to reduce paperwork, shorten processing times, and make it easier for students to complete the practical training required for graduation.

This update applies only to students in colleges, universities, and other post-secondary institutions. Secondary school students still need a co-op work permit. 

Below is a clear explanation of what this change means and how it affects your studies.

What Counts as a Student Work Placement 

A student work placement is a work experience that your school requires you to complete in order to graduate. These placements are approved by your designated learning institution and can include:

• Co-op terms 
• Internships
• Practicums
• Mentorship or training programs

Who Can Participate Without a Co-op Work Permit

You may take part in a required placement without applying for a co‑op work permit if all of the following conditions are met:

• Your study permit includes conditions that allow you to work on campus
• Your school confirms in writing that the placement is required for your program
• You have a valid study permit or you applied to extend it before it expired
• You are studying full time at a designated learning institution
• Your program is at least six months long and leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate 
• The placement makes up half or less of your total program length

Secondary School Students

This update does not apply to secondary school students. If you are in high school and your program includes a required work placement, you must still apply for a co-op work permit.

Who Is Not Eligible

You may not qualify for a student work placement if:

• Your study permit does not include work conditions
• Your program does not require work placement
• Your placement is more than half of your total program

If you are eligible but your study permit is missing work conditions, you may need to request an amendment. 

If You Already Applied for a Co-op Work Permit

If you submitted a co-op work permit application before April 1, 2026, but you no longer need it:

• You may withdraw your application
• IRCC may also withdraw it for you and send a letter confirming that the permit is no longer required.

Where You Are Allowed to Work

You may work with any employer that your school approves for the placement. This can include off-campus employers.

If your placement involves working in a hospital or another environment where public health protection is important, you may need a medical exam unless you already completed one. 

Hours You Can Work During a Placement

There is no weekly limit on the number of hours you can work in a required placement. However, the placement cannot exceed half of your total program length.

Canada has introduced significant updates to its immigration and asylum framework. As of March 26, 2026, Bill C‑12—the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act—has officially become law. These changes affect how asylum claims are assessed, how information is shared across government departments, and how immigration documents are managed.

Below is a clear breakdown of what newcomers, refugee claimants, and temporary residents need to know.

New Eligibility Rules for Asylum Claims

Starting June 3, 2025, two new conditions will determine whether an asylum claim can be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB).

You may be found ineligible if:

• You file an asylum claim more than one year after your first entry into Canada (for anyone who entered after June 24, 2020), even if you left and re‑entered later.
• You entered Canada irregularly between ports of entry along the Canada–US border and submit your claim after 14 days.

Important Exceptions & Protections

• Unaccompanied minors will receive special consideration due to their vulnerability.
• Individuals who are not eligible for IRB referral may still apply for a Pre‑Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) to ensure they are not returned to danger.
• The Safe Third Country Agreement remains unchanged.

New Rules for Domestic Information Sharing

Bill C‑12 gives IRCC clearer authority to share certain personal information within the department and with federal, provincial, and territorial partners.

What IRCC Can Now Share

• Identity and status information
• IRCC‑issued documents
• Information needed to process applications across programs (e.g., using PR data for citizenship processing)

How We Can Support You

At CIECSI, our team is here to help you:

• Understand how Bill C‑12 may impact your situation
• Assess your eligibility for an asylum claim or PRRA
• Navigate the updated application and documentation requirements
• Explore alternative immigration pathways if you are no longer eligible under the new rules

Ottawa, March 20, 2026—Canada is taking back control of our immigration system and returning overall immigration to sustainable levels. At the same time, we know families are strongest when they’re together, and we remain committed to family reunification.

Starting March 31, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will change how it calculates family income for super visa eligibility, making the program more equitable and accessible to more families while ensuring parents and grandparents are financially supported during their stay in Canada.

The super visa is a multiple-entry visitor visa that allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit their family in Canada for longer periods. An applicant’s host, that is, their child or grandchild in Canada, must provide proof that they meet the income requirements to support their family members while they’re here.

The new approach will provide hosts with two alternative ways to meet the income requirement:

• Extending the income assessment period: Hosts and their co-signer (if applicable) may meet or exceed the income requirement in either one of the two taxation years preceding the time of application. Previously, IRCC assessed only the year before.
• Allowing the income of the visiting parent or grandparent to be added: If the hosts and their co-signer (if applicable) meet the required minimum percentage of income, the income of the visiting parents and grandparents can be added to cover the remaining amount.

As of March 31, 2026, all applications already in processing, or submitted on or after that date, will be assessed against the new income requirements. Under these updated criteria, families who were previously eligible will continue to qualify. Those who wish to benefit from one of the alternative means must submit the necessary documents proving they meet the income requirement for their family size.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/changes-parents-grandparents-super-visa-income-requirement-calculated.html

Canada has introduced an important update regarding Iranian nationals living in the country. As of March 1, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has extended temporary measures until March 31, 2027, but only for Iranian nationals who currently hold a valid Canadian work permit. 

Who is Eligible to Extend Their Work Permit?

To qualify under the March 1, 2026 special measures, applicants must meet all of the following conditions:

• Be an Iranian national with a valid passport.
• Be inside Canada with a valid work permit both at the time of application and when IRCC makes a decision.
• Have received their current work permit on or before February 28, 2025.
• Not have already received a work permit extension under the 2026 special measures (only one extension is allowed).
• Meet the IRCC's general eligibility and admissibility requirements, inlcuding:
  • No criminal history
  • No security concerns
  • Not working for an ineligible employer
  • Proof of financial ability to support yourself and accompanying family members 
  • Proof you will leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay

How We Can Support You

At CIECSI, we understand how important it is to maintain your legal status—especially during uncertain times. Our team can help you:

• Confirm your eligibility under the 2026 special measures
• Prepare and submit your work permit extension
• Explore long-term pathways 
• Understand your next steps if you are a visitor or student

This exemption is only for those who are currently in Canada as temporary foreign workers

Eligibility

1. You have a valid work permit.
2. You have a job in an eligible construction occupation.
3. You have an apprenticeship agreement registered with the relevant provincial or territorial apprenticeship and certification authority.

Eligible occupations

Eligible occupations in TEER 0

NOC 70010 – Construction managers

NOC 70011 – Home building and renovation managers

Eligible occupations in TEER 1

NOC 21300 – Civil engineers

Eligible occupations in TEER 2

NOC 22300 – Civil engineering technologists and technicians

NOC 22303 – Construction estimators

NOC 72102 – Sheet metal workers

NOC 72106 – Welders and related machine operators

NOC 72200 – Electricians (except industrial and power system)

NOC 72201 – Industrial electricians

NOC 72300 – Plumbers

NOC 72310 – Carpenters

NOC 72311 – Cabinetmakers

NOC 72320 – Bricklayers

NOC 72400 – Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics

NOC 72401 – Heavy-duty equipment mechanics

NOC 72402 – Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics

NOC 72422 – Electrical mechanics

NOC 72501 – Water well drillers

Eligible occupations in TEER 3

NOC 73100 – Concrete finishers

NOC 73110 – Roofers and shinglers

NOC 73112 – Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)

NOC 73113 – Floor covering installers

• Express Entry: Category Based Selection

  ___________________________________________________________________

   

  
  1.French-language proficiency

   

  • To be eligible, you must:
  • Have French-language test results that show a minimum score of 7 in all 4 language abilities on the Niveaux de competence linguistique Canadians.
  • Meet all of the requirements in the instructions for that round.
  
  
  2. Healthcare and Social Services Occupations

   

  • To be eligible, you must:
    • Have accumulated, within the past 3 years, at least 6 months of full-time continuous work experience (or an equal amount of part-time experience)
      • In a single occupation listed in the tale below
      • In Canada or abroad
    • Meet all the requirements in the instruction for that round

  Occupation	2021 NOC Code	2021 TEER Category
  Animal health technologists and Veterinary technicians	32104	2
  Audiologists and speech language pathologists	31112	1
  Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostics technologists	32123	2
  Chiropractors	31201	1
  Dental Hygienists and dental therapists	32111	2
  Dentists	31110	1
  Dieticians and nutritionists	31121	1
  General practitioners and family physicians	31102	1
  Licensed Practical nurses	32101	2
  Massage therapists	32201	2
  Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations	33101	3
  Medical Laboratory technologists	32120	2
  Medical Radiation technologists	32121	2
  Medical sonographers	32122	2
  Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates	33102	3
  Nurse practitioners	31302	1
  Nursing coordinators and supervisors	31300	1
  Occupational therapists	31203	1
  Optometrists	31111	1
  Other medical technologists and technicians	32129	2
  Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating	31209	1
  Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment	32109	2
  Paramedical occupations	32102	2
  Pharmacists	31120	1
  Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants	33103	3
  Pharmacy technicians	32124	2
  Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals	31303	1
  Physiotherapists	31202	1
  Psychologists	31200	1
  Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses	31301	1
  Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists	31203	2
  Social and community service workers	42201	2
  Social workers	41300	1
  Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine	31100	1
  Specialists in Surgery	31101	1
  Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies	41301	1
  Veterinarians	31103	1

   

   

  3. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Occupations
  • To be eligible, you must:
  • Have accumulated within the past 3 years at least 6 months of full-time continues work experience (or an equal amount of part-time experience).
    • In a single occupation listed in the table below
    • In Canada or abroad
  • Meet all the requirements in the instructions for that round.

  Occupation	2021 NOC Code	2021 TEER Category
  Architecture and science managers	20011	0
  Civil engineering technologists and technicians	22300	2
  Civil Engineers	21300	1
  Cybersecurity specialists	21220	1
  Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians	22310	2
  Electrical and electronics engineers	21310	1
  Geological Engineers	21331	1
  Industrial and manufacturing Engineers	21321	1
  Insurance agents and brokers	63100	3
  Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians	22301	2
  Mechanical Engineers	21301	1

  4. Trade Occupations

   

  • To be eligible, you must:
  • Have accumulated within the past 3 years at least 6 months of full-time continues work experience (or an equal amount of part-time experience).
    • In a single occupation listed in the table below
    • In Canada or abroad
  • Meet all the requirements in the instructions for that round.

  Occupation	2021 NOC Code	2021 TEER Category
  Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services	82021	2
  Floor covering installers	73113	3
  Painters and decorators (Except interior decorators)	73112	3
  Roofers and shingler’s	73110	3
  Concrete finishers	73100	3
  Other technical trades and related occupations	72999	2
  Water well drillers	72501	2
  Electrical mechanics	72422	2
  Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics	72402	2
  Heavy-duty equipment mechanics	72401	2
  Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics	72400	2
  Bricklayers	72320	2
  Cabinetmakers	72311	2
  Carpenters	72310	2
  Gas fitters	72302	2
  Plumbers	72300	2
  Industrial electricians	72201	2
  Electricians (except industrial and power system)	72200	2
  Welders and related  machine operators	72106	2
  Sheet metal workers	72102	2
  Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors	72100	2
  Home building and renovation managers	70011	0
  Construction Managers	70010	0
  Cooks	63200	3
  Construction estimators	22303	2

  5. Agriculture and Agri-Food Occupations

   

  • To be eligible, you must:
  • Have accumulated within the past 3 years at least 6 months of full-time continues work experience (or an equal amount of part-time experience).
    • In a single occupation listed in the table below
    • In Canada or abroad
  • Meet all the requirements in the instructions for that round.

   

   

   

   

  Occupation	2021 NOC Code	2021 TEER Category
  Butchers – retail and wholesale	63201	3

  6. Education Occupations

   

  • To be eligible, you must:
  • Have accumulated within the past 3 years at least 6 months of full-time continues work experience (or an equal amount of part-time experience).
    • In a single occupation listed in the table below
    • In Canada or abroad
  • Meet all the requirements in the instructions for that round.

  Occupation	2021 NOC Code	2021 TEER Category
  Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants	43100	3
  Instructors of persons with disabilities	42203	2
  Early childhood educators and assistants	42202	2
  Elementary school and kindergarten teachers	41221	1
  Secondary school teachers	41220	1