Work Permits Update — April 23, 2026
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Effective April 1, 2026, eligible post-secondary international students no longer need a separate co-op work permit to participate in mandatory work placements (co-ops, internships) required by their program — their existing study permit is sufficient. IRCC will automatically withdraw all active pending co-op work permit applications.
Canada's 2026–2028 immigration levels plan sets a target of 170,000 new LMIA-exempt work permit holders under the International Mobility Program — a 32% increase over the previous plan — while LMIA-based Temporary Foreign Worker Program quotas have been reduced by approximately 27%.
Starting January 9, 2026, Canada restarted low-wage LMIA processing in select sectors, and as of April 1, 2026, new rules make it easier for employers in small towns and rural areas to hire foreign workers through the LMIA process.
What You Should Do
- If you are an international student with a pending co-op work permit application submitted before April 1, 2026, take no action — IRCC will withdraw your application automatically. Confirm the withdrawal by checking your IRCC online account at canada.ca/ircc-account.
- If you are an international student starting a co-op or internship on or after April 1, 2026, confirm with your designated learning institution that your placement is a mandatory program requirement and that your employer is approved by the institution — these are the two conditions required to work under your study permit alone.
- If you are an employer seeking to hire foreign workers in 2026, assess whether LMIA-exempt pathways (International Mobility Program — canada.ca/international-mobility-program) now better fit your needs given the 32% increase in LMIA-exempt targets and the 27% reduction in LMIA-based quotas.
- If you are an employer in a small town or rural area, review the new April 1, 2026 LMIA rule changes for rural employers on the Employment and Social Development Canada website at canada.ca/lmia to determine if you qualify for the easier rural hiring pathway.
Sources
Topics Covered
Student Work Authorization Simplification: Effective April 1, 2026, international students no longer need a separate co-op work permit for mandatory program work placements. IRCC will proactively withdraw all pending co-op work permit applications, and students need only their study permit.
LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Expansion: Canada's 2026–2028 levels plan increases the LMIA-exempt IMP target to 170,000 (up 32%), while LMIA-based Temporary Foreign Worker Program spots are being reduced by approximately 27%. New rural LMIA rules also took effect April 1, 2026.
More Work Permits Updates
Work Permits Update — June 11, 2026
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Work Permits Update — June 8, 2026
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Work Permits Update — June 4, 2026
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