Internship Abroad in Canada: The FAQs

Your application for the internship should reach us at least 12 weeks before the desired start of the internship. On the one hand, so that we can optimize your application documents together and then find the best internship for you. On the other hand, because the application for a visa for Canada is not very easy and the approval of a visa/work permit cannot be guaranteed by the lottery procedure of the Canadian Embassy. We will talk to you before we start the placement to find out which program is suitable for you.

Internships in Canada are usually not remunerated. As an intern, you will gain valuable international work experience, which will help you to steer your career in the right direction.

If you are not lucky enough to get a visa at the random drawing of the Canadian Embassy, this is no problem at all. With the C50 Visa, which is issued for working for charitable, non-profit or religious organizations, anyone who is at least 18 years old can obtain a work permit without long waiting times and application processes. Participation can be for 4-16 weeks (City Charity Program) or 2-12 weeks (Wilderness Program).

These organizations offer internships in many different areas: from active work in animal and environmental protection to work in marketing, biology, psychology, research, nutritional counseling, and much more. Almost every area of internship can be covered by the volunteer program, regardless of the complicated visa application process. In addition, the assignments are generally recognized by universities.

A C50 visa can only be applied for through the internship program of a school or agency (StudentsGoAbroad or its partner organization in Canada).

The prerequisites for this are:

good language skills in English or French

Minimum age: 18 years

Working hours: 20-40 hours per week

Trainees in the field of animal or environmental protection should be physically fit

Invitation from charity organizations in Canada

No, the volunteer internship in a non-profit organization must not be remunerated, but it offers you great opportunities to develop in your field of study or interest - as well as personally - and to use and improve your language skills in English or French.

Internships and volunteer programs based on the C50 visa are non-profit projects without exception and are not remunerated.

With a Working Holiday Visa: up to 12 months

With a work permit: up to 12 months

With a C50 visa: up to 16 weeks (longer stays by arrangement)

You will live in rural areas, either in:

Western Canada

Central Canada (EN)

French Canada (FR)

You have the possibility to book an additional host family placement service. Living with a Canadian family will give you a wonderful cultural experience! You will also receive 2 to 3 meals a day. You will usually stay with a family with several students. A single room, internet access and a comfortable home are also advantages of living with a host family.

In the Wildlife-Program (nature and animal protection) we recommend the Meet&Greet Arrival Package for the journey. You will be welcomed at the airport and taken to your hostel. After breakfast the next day you will go to the bus or train station or the shuttle will be organized for you. The arrival depends on the location of your farm or wilderness program and the distance to the nearest airport and is already included in the price. But you will discuss all this in advance with the contact persons in a Skype conversation.