Official documents and immigration
You will be welcomed at ÉTS as an independent research student. In Canada, your activity is considered as work, regardless of the internship duration and the amount of your scholarship, if applicable.
In other words, you will not come to Canada as a student, but as a worker, so you must make arrangements before your arrival. As employer, the Office of International Relations will issue the official letter of invitation from ÉTS required for the work visa application to Immigration Canada, and they will sign the internship agreement for the home institution abroad, if applicable.
Eligibility and timeline
Based on the information you will have provided to ÉTS, your letter of invitation will indicate the category of temporary worker that is most likely to apply to your situation and the procedure to be followed (e.g. work permit – C44, C21 or Exemption – 120 days). It is your responsibility to validate your eligibility for the program, and to make the necessary arrangements with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Allow a minimum of two months for processing – check processing times here – between receiving your invitation letter from ÉTS and confirmation of your work permit.
Immigration procedures in a nutshell
At each step listed below, please check the personal information on your documents: valid 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 the relevant contact person.
Caution – Do not make any commitment and do not attempt to enter Canada until you have confirmation that your work permit application, if applicable, and your visa or eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) have been approved.
- If your letter of invitation indicates that you are eligible for a work permit, contact the team in the Office of International Relations at international@etsmtl.ca to get your job offer number and payment receipt. This information is required in order to apply for a work permit with the IRCC.
Please note: If you are eligible for a work permit under the C21 category, you must attach a copy of the invitation you received from the 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 date.
- Work permit
- Complete your application online. If 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 Temporary Resident Visa. This document will be issued to you at the same time as your work permit (source).
- Exemption – 120 days
Upon your arrival at Canadian customs, be prepared to show your documents – for example: passport, letter of internship/invitation from ÉTS, letter of introduction, letter of support from supervisor, etc.
- Work permit
- Submit your letter of introduction to the border agent who will then give you your work permit.
- Exemption – 120 days
- Submit your ÉTS letter.
- Ask explicitely that the border agent provide you with a visitor record (IMM1097). This is required to obtain a Social Insurance Number in order to be paid (if applicable).