What is the maximum number of co-ops I can do as an international student? (Confusion about calculations)

[asw15]

My school (SFU) lets me do 5 sems of co-op, but I'm graduating in only 6 sems of academic study not counting the coop semesters. Does this mean that the maximum number I can do is
3 coop/6 study-only sems = 50%
or
5 coop/11 sems as a full-time student < 50%
?

 

[RamSatt]

What program are you studying? Is it Undergraduate or Post-Graduate? Business or Computer Science or something else?

 

[asw15]

I'm studying undergrad computer science. I have a google co-op lined up, so it's quite painful to drop, but better to stay in Canada than screw up PGWP for just 13 weeks at Google.

 

[RamSatt]

https://www.sfu.ca/coop/programs/cmpt/prospective.html

According to what's written above, I think you should talk to your program coordinator or anyone from your department to discuss this. 13 weeks sounds like a semester, personally I don't think that will be a problem. But I don't know the graduation requirements of your program, so I cannot comment on it. Regardless, the best chance is for you to talk to your department directly.

 

[asw15]

They haven't been giving good answers. I went to them first, but they all come up with versions of "here's my INTERPRETATION of the policy since I don't know how the IRCC calculates coop duration limits". Many meetings with them resulted in the two calculations in my answer above.

 

[RamSatt]

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/intern.html

According to that link. Your co-op placement or internship totals 50% or less of your study program.

If your program is 6 semesters, then I'd say ensure your co-op placement is 3 semesters or fewer. And make sure your study permit is valid for the length of the coop.