In 2022, the EIC (International Experience Canada) program planned to offer French students 7,100 working holiday permits. It allows you to search for a job or internship on site. Given the enthusiasm for the country, 10,950 PVT were ultimately issued that year. The number of internship visas is, however, limited. You must therefore work on your strategy to find an internship in Canada.
Why choose to do an internship in Canada?
Today, it is quite complicated to find an internship in Canada due to the country’s success with international students. This destination allows you to expand your CV thanks to professional experience abroad. On the other hand, it promotes your skills and personal qualities to your future employers. This is indeed an exceptional environment for workers.
More than just a student internship, moving to Canada will demonstrate your ability to integrate into the North American world of work. This environment is best known for its competitive side and its demands for results. As a result, recruiters appreciate candidates who are familiar with the work culture in this part of the world. You will then have a significant advantage on the job market.
An internship in Canada also represents an excellent opportunity to improve your level of English. You will be able, for example, to progress quickly in dynamic, English-speaking cities like Toronto or Vancouver. The latter is the largest metropolis in British Columbia. In addition, it is popular for its milder climate compared to other regions.
Finally, your internship will provide you with a myriad of opportunities, including immigrating to the country. Local authorities allow you to apply for permanent residence if you already have Canadian professional experience. For this process, you will not even need to leave the territory. Simply check your eligibility on the CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) website.
What websites are available to future interns?
For find an internship in Canada, you currently have various websites offered by public, private and student organizations. French students also have access to dedicated programs at the Canadian Embassy. To find an internship in the country, you can turn to:
- Internship (myinternshipabroad.com);
- TalentEgg.ca;
- Job Bank Canadian Government;
- JobsInCanada.com;
- Eluta.ca;
- Intern Association Canada;
- Civiweb.com;
- Careerjet.ca;
- Jobsincanada.com ;
- The Canadian branch of AIESEC (International Association of Economics and Business Students);
- Quebec employment;
- Quebec city.
The last two platforms are devoted to the job market in Quebec. That said, you can also review your projects accordingly or even do an Erasmus internship In the region. You will then have the opportunity to work in a French-speaking area. Conversely, Canadian sites will allow you to improve your English in the professional environment. This is notably the case of Job Bank Canadian Governement, TalentEgg, Eluta.ca, AIESEC Canada…
For its part, the Intern Association Canada site does not offer internship offers to students. It nevertheless contains useful information regarding the legal aspect of the job market in the country. The association denounces, for example, the various abuses regarding internships and foreigners. In this way, future trainees will be able to anticipate abuse and other problems in this area.
What steps should I take to do an internship in Canada?
The necessary steps depend fundamentally on theoption chosen to find an internship in Canada. If you have requested specialized platforms, the operator will take care of the company search and the visa application. On the other hand, you will have to carry out the formalities yourself, if you have skipped this type of service. In both cases, you will need to provide documents such as:
- A police certificate, to prove that you do not pose a security threat;
- A medical examination report (IMM 1017B), if your future employer requests it or if you have recently stayed in countries presenting health risks;
- Proof of sufficient resources to cover your needs in the country or your possible return to France (or a return ticket to be presented on departure);
- A letter confirming your work permit application, if you are helped by a recognized organization in this process;
- Proof of payment of the participations corresponding to the visa requested (EIC fees, PVT, Young professionals, International coop internship, etc.).
Obviously, you must first apply for an internship by email, if you are not accompanied by a specialized site. You will then need to provide proof of acceptance of your internship by the Canadian company before applying for a visa. You will also need to register on the official CIC website to obtain one of the International Experience Canada permits (PVT, Internship coop and JP).
However, the creating a MonCIC account does not guarantee the issuance of a residence permit. This step only allows you to join the pool of candidates for the selection of visa application files. In addition, the EIC program is subject to quotas by region. However, you will put all the chances on your side with the support of your future employer and a specialized operator.
