Co-op Students under Code C32 to Receive Increased Work Hours in 2025

IRCC has updated the rules for the group “Work related to a research, educational or training program” which includes Exemption Codes C31, C32 and C33 under the International Mobility Program (IMP). The key change:

Post-secondary co-op students under Exemption Code C32 are now allowed to work off-campus up to 24 hours per week, an increase from the previous limit of 20 hours.

This change is applied directly in the guideline “Post-secondary co-op – Exemption code C32 eligibility,” effective November 11, 2025.

Why this matters
• Co-op is mandatory in many programs. Students study while working in a professional environment, but they were previously restricted to 20 hours of off-campus work.
• Increasing the limit to 24 hours is not dramatic, but it is enough to boost real income and ease financial pressure at a time when living costs keep rising.
• The 24-hour cap suggests IRCC is opening a slightly more flexible approach for training-linked work activity rather than maintaining the traditional strict 20-hour boundary.

Who benefits
• Students currently in, or entering, programs that include a work placement, internship or co-op that qualifies for a C32 work permit.
• Fields that are heavily practice-based such as technology, engineering, communications, logistics or hospitality.
• Schools that require students to complete a set number of practicum hours to graduate.

Advice for co-op students
• Review your co-op admission letter and work permit conditions to confirm you fall under Exemption Code C32.
• Plan your work hours carefully and avoid exceeding the limit.
• If you will begin your co-op term in 2026, factor the 24-hour limit into your financial planning to maximise compliant earnings.

This change does not solve the financial pressure students face, but it is clearly a positive and sensible adjustment at a time when rent, food and living expenses climb every quarter.