Nigerian students and other international students studying in Canada have received a significant policy relief. Starting from April 1, 2026, a valid study permit is now all that is needed to work in internships, co-ops, and practicums — meaning students no longer have to apply for a separate co-op work permit to participate in work placements that are part of their academic programme.
The change was announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and applies to work placements that form 50% or less of a student's total programme. Previously, students had to go through the extra process of applying for a co-op work permit on top of their study permit — a step that added cost, paperwork, and delays to an already complex immigration system. That requirement has now been removed.
For students who had already submitted co-op work permit applications before the new rule kicked in, there is also good news. IRCC has confirmed that those students can withdraw their applications, and the agency may also cancel some of them directly, since the permit is no longer needed. It is worth noting, however, that secondary school students are not covered by this change — they will still be required to obtain a co-op work permit for any work placements.
This update is the first phase of a broader set of immigration reforms currently being reviewed by the Canadian government.
Among the proposals still under consultation are plans to allow international students and graduates to work while waiting for study permit extensions or Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) decisions — a change that, if approved, would close one of the most frustrating gaps students face when their permits are pending. There are also proposals to remove study permit requirements for certain foreign apprentices, though no timeline has been set for these additional changes.
The broader context, however, tells a more complex story. Canada recorded a sharp drop in new international student arrivals in 2026 compared to previous years, and the federal government has signalled plans to further reduce temporary migration levels in the years ahead as part of its long-term immigration strategy. While this new work permit rule is a welcome relief, Nigerian students considering Canada should stay closely informed about the country's evolving immigration policies, as the landscape continues to shift.