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IEC International Co-op Internship: Canadian Immigration

By Ella Bergquist March 26, 2019 5 min. read
International Co-op Internship

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:

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:

  1. Copy or write down the personal reference code we give you at the end of the questionnaire (It looks like this: JM1234567890).
  2. Create your account.
  3. 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.

Have a Question related to your Immigration Needs?

Click here to fill out the FREE Immigration Assessment form below and get a response within 24 hours to see if you’re eligible.

The assessment form should take approximately 5-7 minutes to complete. We will get back to you within one business day to let you know if we are able to help.

Eddie de Witt Avatar

Eddie de Witt

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Sweet Ness

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Peter Gianakas

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Vanessa Gomes

I spoke with Lilly last week and she’s incredible. Very informative and you can tell she definably cares about her job. She wasn’t pushy at all and she’s there to help you figure out if this service is right for you. I’d recommend contacting VisaPlace if you’re thinkin of traveling internationally and you have questions about the different types of permits.

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TK B

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Nirmal Singh

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Krista Sparkes

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