Research Internship
Do a Research Internship in Québec as Part of Your Engineering Studies
As an international student at an ÉTS partner institution, you have the opportunity to complete a 3- to 12-month research internship at ÉTS. Supervised by a professor, you will work on cutting-edge issues in one of ÉTS’s 60 Chairs or research units that have specialized equipment such as drones, 3D printers, flight simulators, cluster supercomputers, and much more.
Renowned professors working in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, health technologies, aerospace, and transportation electrification will support you throughout your research project.
Ready to take action? Follow these steps!
Possible work authorizations for international research interns
In Canada, an internship is considered work, regardless of its duration and whether it is paid or not.
120-day work permit exemption for researchers
LMIA-exempt work permits
This program offers undergraduate and graduate students from countries that signed an agreement with Canada the possibility to obtain an international co-op work permit.
For any questions about laboratory research internships, contact the Office of International Relations at international@etsmtl.ca.
Check your eligibility
To be eligible for a laboratory research internship at ÉTS, you must be registered as a student at a university abroad.
ÉTS will give admission preference to students attending one of its partner institutions that have signed a bilateral agreement to receive interns. If your institution is not on that list, you can still submit a spontaneous application for a research internship at ÉTS.
More specifically, to be eligible for a research internship, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be enrolled in a program leading to an engineering degree to complete an internship at the end of the first, second, or third year of undergraduate studies (level L3, M1, or end-of-program internship) OR be enrolled in a university program to complete an internship at the end of a master’s degree program (M2) or a Ph.D. internship
- Be selected by an ÉTS professor willing to act as your internship supervisor
- Have an adequate level of language proficiency in English or French
- Have the necessary financial resources for the duration of the internship (airfare, accommodations, living expenses, and insurance, if applicable)
Find a research topic and supervisor
You must enter into an agreement with an ÉTS professor who agrees to supervise your internship. You must contact a faculty member directly to submit your application, along with a resumé, cover letter, and recent transcripts, and clearly specify your areas of interest, aspirations, and availability periods.
ÉTS does not have a formal posting portal for internship offers. You must review ÉTS’s research work to find the right people for your areas of interest.
To help with the process, check out the various sections of ÉTS’s website:
Obtain an invitation letter
Once you have reached an agreement with an ÉTS professor, you need to create an account on our online portal in order to submit your official internship application and receive your invitation letter. This letter will enable you to obtain your immigration documents and register for an internship with the Registrar’s Office.
Applying for admission
Choice of program
Semester
- Select Summer for an internship starting between May and August.
- Select Fall for an internship starting between September and December.
- Select Winter for an internship starting between January and April.
If the desired semester is not available, please select the next semester. This information will be corrected in your invitation letter if applicable.
Level
- Undergraduate (engineering) and graduate (M1 or M2) students must select the graduate level.
- Ph.D. students must select the doctoral level.
Program
- Undergraduate (engineering) and graduate (M1 or M2) students must select program 3612.
- Doctoral (Ph.D.) students must select program 3613.
Status
- Select “Full time.”
Legal status in Canada
Select “Study permit,” but note that you will need to obtain the necessary work permits to complete your internship. This information will be indicated in your invitation letter. If you do not obtain the required work authorizations (work permit or visitor record with a 120-day work permit exemption), you will not be legally allowed to work and therefore complete your internship in Canada.
Next steps
Your file will be reviewed to confirm your eligibility (allow two weeks). An invitation letter will be placed in your account.
Official documents and immigration
You will have the title of visiting research student at ÉTS. In Canada, your activity is considered work, regardless of the length of the internship and the amount of your scholarship (if any).
In other words, you will not be coming to Canada as a student, but as a worker, so you must make certain arrangements before your arrival. As employer, the Office of International Relations (OIR) will issue the official ÉTS letter of invitation required for the work visa application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and will sign the internship agreement for the home institution abroad, if applicable.
Eligibility and processing times
Based on the information you will have provided to ÉTS, your invitation letter will indicate the temporary worker category that is most likely to apply to your situation as well as the procedure to be followed (e.g., work permit – C52, C21, or Exemption – 120 days). You are responsible for confirming your eligibility for the program involved and for taking the necessary steps with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Allow at least two months (check here) from the time you receive your ÉTS invitation letter and confirmation of your work permit.
Immigration process in a nutshell
At each step listed below, please check the information on your documents: validity date, spelling of your name, date of birth, restrictions, etc. If you have any questions regarding your internship agreement or the conditions of your stay, please do not hesitate to ask.
Important: Do not make any arrangements or attempt to enter Canada until you have received confirmation that your work permit application (if applicable) and your visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA) have been approved.
- If your invitation letter indicates that you are eligible for a work permit, email international@etsmtl.ca to obtain your job offer number and payment receipt. This information is required to apply to IRCC for a work permit.
Note: If you are eligible for a C21 work permit, you must include a copy of the invitation you received from IRCC – Immigration Canada (IMM5946) in order to obtain your job offer number.
Make sure you have a valid passport that covers your entire stay. The expiration date of a work permit or visa cannot exceed the passport validity period.
- Work permit
- Complete your application online. If your application is approved, you will receive a letter of introduction for the port of entry (source).
- Visa or eTA: You do not have to apply separately or pay additional fees to obtain an electronic travel authorization or a temporary resident visa. This document will be issued to you at the same time as your work permit (source).
- Exemption – 120 days
- Make sure you are eligible for the 120-day work permit exemption for researchers.
- Check on the IRCC website whether you need a temporary resident visa (TRV) OR the electronic travel authorization (eTA). Submit the appropriate application.
Upon arriving at Canadian customs, you will be required to show your documents (e.g., passport, ÉTS internship/invitation letter, letter of introduction, letter of support from your supervisor).
- Work permit
- Submit your letter of introduction to a border official, who will then give you your work permit.
- Exemption – 120 days
- Show the ÉTS letter.
- Explicitly request a visitor record (IMM1097) from the border official. This document is required to obtain a social insurance number so that you can be paid (if applicable).
Pre-departure and administrative procedures
In addition to your immigration procedures, a number of other actions will need to be taken prior to your departure and in the days following your arrival in Montréal. The key points are listed below.
Adjustment and integration
Even on a short stay, you may encounter some adjustment challenges and your experience will be all the more pleasant if you manage to create a network for yourself. To stay informed, check your ÉTS email and Interface, the student life newsletter, regularly. You can also take part in the Language Café, which brings together dozens of students each week, or follow the activities of the ÉTS Student Association and ETSpéranto, which organizes various cultural activities and outings.
Feel free to contact us by email at international@etsmtl.ca if you have any other questions or needs related to your stay at ÉTS.
Finalizing your registration at ÉTS
- At the Registrar’s Office, on the first day of your internship:
- Show your official invitation letter
- Show your passport and work permit (if applicable)
- Pay your Desjardins insurance fees OR submit proof of RAMQ eligibility
- Update your file:
- Go to MonÉTS, under the SIGNETS (bookmarks) tab, and update your contact information with your new Québec address
Important: You must immediately notify the Office of International Relations (OIR) of any changes in internship conditions (e.g., date changes, interruption, off-campus work).
Get your student card
Administrative procedures (for paid internships only)
- Get a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- The SIN is required to earn income in Canada and is used by the government and employers to identify you. Visit the Social Insurance Number – Apply page for full details relating to the SIN.
- The SIN is required to earn income in Canada and is used by the government and employers to identify you. Visit the Social Insurance Number – Apply page for full details relating to the SIN.
- Submit your file to the Finance Department
- Go to the Finance Department (Room B-1300) to drop off the following documents: Social Insurance Number, visitor record, OR work permit.
- Open a bank account
- Banks are highly regulated in Canada, so people often choose their financial institution based on how close it is to their home. Contact the financial institution directly to schedule an appointment to open an account and bring the required documents (e.g., passport, ID, work permit, if applicable).
The Government of Québec requires all laboratory interns to have insurance coverage for the duration of their stay. The only way to opt out of Desjardins insurance is to provide proof of your eligibility for Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ), which must be filed with the Registrar’s Office as soon as possible after your arrival. If you are covered by the France-Québec agreement, please note that if your internship is unpaid or if your monthly allowance is less than C$1,000, you may be covered for sickness and pregnancy, occupational injuries and diseases, and prescription drugs.
All the information can be found on our Insurance and Health Care for International Students page.
Detailed information on various housing options can be found on our Living in Montréal page.
Note that laboratory interns are eligible to live in ÉTS residences. If you are interested in living on campus, fill out the Rental application as soon as possible. Your name will be added to a waiting list and if a room becomes available, you will be contacted and asked to confirm your place with an initial payment.
Subject to certain conditions, laboratory interns are entitled to the reduced student fare offered by the Montréal public transit authority, Société de transport de Montréal (STM). To apply for an online OPUS transit card on the MonÉTS portal, you must be considered as enrolled on a full-time basis in a given semester. Depending on the date of your arrival, you may not be considered full time and may not be able to apply for the OPUS card online. If so, contact us to confirm your eligibility.