Mandatory Internship and Co-op Program

IMPORTANT
This website has no legal value; it’s simply a summary of the procedures in effect, compiled to the best of our knowledge on the date it was prepared. This information is subject to change without notice. The laws and regulations of Québec and Canada, as well as the information found on the MIFI and IRCC websites take precedence over this website.
_{Updated: April 13, 2026}

As of April 1, 2026, you no longer need a co-op work permit to complete a mandatory internship required as part of your program at Polytechnique Montréal. The website below explains how to complete a mandatory internship in full compliance with the new rules.

If you have a co-op work permit application pending, you can leave it as is; it will be withdrawn by IRCC.

For more information, visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website.

What is a mandatory internship?

For IRCC, a mandatory internship is a work activity that is a graduation requirement for your Canadian educational institution.

This therefore excludes:

optional internships or work performed on a voluntary basis for the purpose of gaining work experience;
internships that you must complete to meet the graduation requirements of an institution located abroad.

At Polytechnique Montréal, the following internships may be considered mandatory:

Bachelor of Engineering

Standard Program (all engineering disciplines except geological engineering and mining engineering):
One mandatory internship during the entire program, to be completed between the 55th and 80th credits earned.
Co-op program (Geological Engineering and Mining Engineering only):
Three mandatory internships throughout the program

See the general information on undergraduate internships (in French) for more details.

Professional Master's

The “internship” course listed in the study plan, which is evaluated through an internship report.

See the general information on internships in the professional master's program (in French) for more details.

Authorizations required for an internship

Mandatory internship

To complete a mandatory internship, you must use the on-campus work authorization, which is included on your study permit, even if your internship takes place at an organization or company located outside the boundaries of the Polytechnique Montréal campus.

Your study permit must therefore include one of the following statements:

“May accept employment on or off campus if meeting eligibility criteria as per R186(f), (v) or (w). Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.”
“This permit does not authorize the holder to engage in off campus employment in Canada. May accept employment only on campus if meeting eligibility criteria as per R186(f). Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.”

If no such statement is included, you must first request a correction to your study permit or a modification of its conditions before beginning your internship. Please consult us to determine which procedure applies to your situation.

Additionally, if your internship takes place in a hospital or in an environment where public health protection is a priority, ensure that your study permit does not include any restrictions on working in this field. If applicable, you will need to undergo a medical examination and then request a modification of your study permit conditions before you can begin your internship, a process that may take several months.

Optional internship or other work experience

To work in jobs not recognized as part of a Canadian academic program, you must use the work permit exemptions related to on-campus work if the optional internship takes place at Polytechnique Montréal, or off-campus work if it takes place elsewhere. It is important to comply with the conditions, including any weekly hour limits that may apply.

If you need to complete an internship as part of a program offered by an educational institution abroad, we recommend that you inquire about the work permits available under the International Experience Canada program, specifically the International Co-op Work Permit.

Depending on your situation, you may also be eligible for other types of work permits. You can use this tool on the IRCC website to see if you qualify for any of them.

Obtaining an internship confirmation from Polytechnique

If IRCC asks you to provide confirmation that a mandatory internship is part of your program, here is who to contact:

Undergraduate engineering students

At the Service des stages et de l'emploi (Internship and Employment Office), located at 3535 Queen-Mary, 5th floor, or by emailing stages.emplois@polymtl.ca

Professional master's students

At the Registrar's Office (the internship course must already be listed in your study plan in order to obtain the letter)

You can obtain the document by submitting a request through the online portal.

LINKS

Internship & Employment Service at Polytechnique (in French)

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada – Work in a student work placement

International Students