The International Co-op Internship allows foreign individuals to get valuable overseas work experience related to their field of study.
This category is for you if:
- you’re a student registered at a post-secondary institution
- you have a job offer for a work placement or internship in Canada
- you need to do this work placement or internship to complete your studies
- you’ll work for the same employer in the same location during your stay in Canada
The type of work permit you get in the International Co-op (Internship) category is an employer-specific work permit. The internship you are offered in Canada must be directly linked to your field of studies.
Wages must follow the labour laws in the province or territory you will be working in. The labour code of the province or territory will determine if an internship needs to be paid or not.
Employment and labour law standards apply to all foreign nationals in Canada. It is up to the IEC candidates and their Canadian employer to inquire, for their particular case, with the relevant provincial or territorial departments regarding labour standards.
How to Apply for the International Co-op Internship (IEC)
Step 1: Answer a Series of Questions
- country of citizenship
- country of permanent residence (where you live permanently)
- country of residence (where you live now)
- student status (if this applies to you)
- job offer (if this applies to you)
Step 2: Complete your online IEC profile
If you get a positive result, you can complete and submit your IEC profile online.
If you checked your eligibility without signing in, follow these steps:
- Copy or write down the personal reference code we give you at the end of the questionnaire (It looks like this: JM1234567890).
- Create your account.
- Enter your personal reference code when asked.
If you signed in to your account to check your eligibility, click “Continue.” You won’t get a personal reference code. You don’t need one.
We’ll use your answers from the questionnaire to start your profile. To complete your profile, you’ll need your passport.You’ll also need to tell us about your:
- identity (full names, date of birth, place of birth etc.)
- contact information
Filling in the online forms
- Leave out any commas that separate your first or last names (if you have more than one first or last name).
- Use English and French letters only.
- If your passport uses other special letters or characters, use the letter without the accent. For example, use “z” instead of “ź.”
Step 3: Submit your profile
When you complete your profile, we’ll tell you which pools are available to you. You can submit your profile to any of these available pools.
Before you submit your profile, make you sure you understand which category is right for you.
Important: Submitting an IEC profile does not mean you have applied for a work permit. You need an invitation to apply to start a work permit application.
If you’re invited to apply, you’ll use your account to:
- submit your work permit application
- pay your fees
- check the status of your application
Documents Required for the International Co-op Internship Program in Canada
Proof of financial support
Bring proof of financial support with you, as Border Services Officers may ask you for proof of funds when you arrive in Canada.
Medical exams
Before you submit your work permit application, you should get a medical exam if:
- you’ve recently lived or travelled in certain countries or territories for 6 months or more, or
- you plan to work in:
- the health field
- primary or secondary education,
- child care, or
- elderly care
You must see a doctor that has been approved by IRCC (called a panel physician).
Police certificates
In most cases, you’ll need to get police certificates. You’ll need to provide certificates for countries where you have spent time for six or more consecutive months since the age of 18.
CV/résumé
You’ll need to provide a copy of your CV or résumé. A curriculum vitae or résumé is a brief description of your:
- education,
- qualifications, and
- work experience (main duties for each job).
It should also include your current job title and the city and country where you currently live.
Passport
You must provide a clear, readable copy of your passport. Your passport must be valid
- when you apply to the International Experience Canada program, and
- when you enter and depart from Canada.
Your work permit will not be issued for longer than the validity of your passport. Your passport must include a blank page other than the last page.
Digital photo
You must provide a digital photo of yourself.
Family information
Depending on your country of citizenship, you must complete one of the Family Information forms:
These forms request information about your
- spouse or common-law partner,
- parents,
- children, step children and adopted children, and
- your brothers and sisters, including step-siblings and half-siblings (IMM 5645 only).
Electronic Travel Authorization or Visitor visa application
Depending on your country of citizenship, you’ll need either an eTA or visitor visa. You don’t have to apply for these documents.
If you need an eTA, you’ll automatically receive one when your work permit application is approved. If you need a visitor visa, you’ll get a request letter asking you to send us your passport.
Are You Interested in Canada’s International C0-op Internship Program?
If so, Contact VisaPlace today. All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals and consultants who work for Niren and Associates an award winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.
Ready for the next step? Book your 1 on 1 consultation now or call us at 1-888-317-5770.
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VisaPlace Immigration News Contributor
Ella Bergquist
Hello! I am one of VisaPlace's many immigration news contributors. Comment below if you have any questions or comments about this article.
