Do a Laboratory Research Internship in Québec

To be eligible for a research internship, you must: 

• Be enrolled in a program leading to the diploma of Engineer, to carry out an internship at the end of first, second or third year of undergraduate studies (level L3, M1 or end-of-studies internship);
  OR 

• Be enrolled in a university program, to carry out an internship at the end of Master studies (M2) or a Ph.D. internship;
  AND

• Be selected by an ÉTS professor who accepts to act as supervisor of your internship; 
• Possess a sufficient level of linguistic competence in French or in English;
• Have the necessary financial resources for the duration of the internship (plane tickets, accommodation, living expenses and insurance, if applicable).

You must conclude an agreement with an ÉTS professor who will supervise your internship. You should communicate directly with faculty members to submit your application, accompanied by a CV, a letter of interest and transcripts of your recent grades, clearly specifying your areas of interest, your aspirations and your periods of availability.

ÉTS does not have a formal display portal for internship offers. You must investigate the research work of the school and solicit professors connected with your areas of interest.

To assist with the process, you may consult various sections of the ÉTS website: 

• Substance ÉTS, innovation and scientific news from ÉTS;
• Chairs and Research Units;;
• ÉTS Professors;
• Theses and Dissertations (in French);
• Publications and Contributions to Research (in French;)
• Helpful Hints for finding a research director and a topic;

To get a confirmation of admission to the intership, you must provide the professor with the following required elements and items: 

Your curriculum vitae

• Attach your current CV.

Personal information

• Family name;
• Given name(s);
• Permanent address;
• Email address;
• Phone number;
• Country of citizenship (nationality);
• Date of birth;
• Country of birth;
• Passport number.

Proof of (current year) full-time enrolment at the home institution

• Attach a photocopy of your student card or other certification of official registration.

Letter of interest in carrying out a laboratory internship at ÉTS

• Attach a letter of interest.

Contact information for your home institution

• Full name;
• Postal address;
• Website address;
• Contact person (and how to reach them).

What happens next?

Your file will be analyzed to confirm your eligibility (you must allow a period of two weeks). A letter of invitation will be sent to you by email.

TAKE NOTE!

The letter of invitation from the Office of the Registrar of ÉTS is the only official document that you can use for the process of obtaining the official (immigration) documents required for your stay in Canada. Any other document, or written or verbal confirmation from the professor, will not be considered as an official document of admission.

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 International Relations Service (IRS) 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.

In addition to your immigration procedures, a series of other actions are to be taken before your departure or upon arrival. The key points are listed below. 

Please note – Be aware that in the current pandemic situation, Canada requires a strict quarantine of fourteen days for travellers arriving from abroad. Please take this information into account when booking your plane tickets and make sure that you and your supervising professor are in agreement if you need to do part of your internship virtually. 

Administrative Procedures upon Arrival

A series of administrative procedures await you in the days following your arrival in Montréal. 

1. Finalizing your Registration at ÉTS
a. At the Registrar’s Office, on the first day of your internship: 
i. Submit your official letter of invitation 
ii. Submit your passport and work permit (if applicable)
iii. Pay your Desjardins insurance fees OR submit your proof of eligibility to the RAMQ 
b. Update your file
i. Go to MonÉTS, under the SIGNETS (BOOKMARK) tab, and update your contact information with your new address in Quebec.

Please note – The SRI must immediately be notified of any changes to the conditions of the internship—change of dates, interruption, off-campus work, etc.

2. Financial Procedures—for Paid Internships Only
a. Obtaining a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
i. A SIN is required in order to collect income in Canada. It is required by the government and by employers in order to identify you. Visit the following page for full details about the SIN.
b. Submit your file to the Finance Department
i. Go to the Finance Department (B-1300) to file the following documents: Social Insurance Number and visitor record OR work permit. 

3. Get your Student ID Card
The student ID card is your main identification on campus, and it will give you access to the various ÉTS facilities—library, sports centre, etc. Visit the “Student card” tab on our website for detailed procedures.

Arrangements for access to specific premises pertaining to your internship—office, laboratory, etc.—will be handled by your supervising professor and your host department.

4. Opening a Bank Account
For stays of less than 6 months, it can be complicated to open a bank account. Plan alternative solutions to access your money from your home bank account.
For longer stays, opening a bank account will be a must. Since banks are highly regulated in Canada, your choice of banks often depends on its geographical proximity to your home. Contact them directly for an appointment to ask questions and open an account.

Health and Hospital Insurance

The Government of Québec requires that all laboratory interns have insurance coverage for the duration of their stay. The only exception to the Desjardins insurance is proof of eligibility with the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec.  

Find all the details on insurance at the following link and a summary below.

Desjardins Insurance 
Offered by ÉTS, individual coverage only, covers medical and hospital expenses, prescription drugs, repatriation guarantee in case of death or disability. However, it excludes dental and vision care.

Cost: $78/month (full billing for the current month upon enrollment) OR $300/term
Fee payment is made at the Registrar’s Office. 

Please note – When seeing a doctor, be aware that you may have to pay for the care you receive, and then make a claim with the insurance company.

Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ)
If you reside in one of these countries: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden, you are eligible for Quebec’s public insurance, the RAMQ. It covers medical and hospital expenses, and prescription drugs (for residents of France and Belgium only). The RAMQ does not include dental and vision care, travel insurance outside Quebec, or repatriation insurance.

Before your departure, you must obtain the SE 401-Q-104—proof of insurance or proof of affiliation to the health and social security plan of your home institution—have it completed, and bring it to Quebec in order to register with the RAMQ. 

If you are on an unpaid internship or if the amount of your monthly compensation is less than $1,000 CA, you can benefit from coverage against risks associated with illness, maternity, work-related accidents and occupational diseases, and drug insurance, in accordance with the France-Québec agreement.

Lodging 

University residences
Several apartment options are available and rooms are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. If you wish to live in a residence, please fill out the rental application form as soon as possible. There is no obligation on your part. If space becomes available, you may then decide if you wish to rent it, and make a deposit to confirm. For more information, visit the ÉTS university residences web page.

Off-campus housing
Don’t have housing yet? Your spot is not yet available in one of the ÉTS university residences? You need to find temporary accommodations? If you are in Montréal for less than 6 months, it may be simpler and more cost-effective to sublet an apartment or find a roommate. Visit the section “Student housing in Montréal” to access all the links to room, apartment or temporary housing rental sites.

BEWARE OF FRAUD! – Make sure you sign a lease or contract. Never pay cash (deposit or monthly rent) without a receipt, either to the landlord or to a friend! Take care of your unit/room, you are responsible for damages. To avoid unpleasant surprises (e.g. non refund of a deposit), make an assessment of the unit upon your arrival.

Transportation

OPUS card (bus, metro)
The OPUS card is a rechargeable transit card that will give you access to public transit on the entire island of Montréal and its outskirts. There are different passes available: four-month, monthly, weekly, daily or single pass.

To get the student discount, you must be considered as enrolled full-time for a specific term. It is possible to apply through your MonÉTS student portal. If you are unable to apply online, please contact accueilbdr@etsmtl.ca to validate your eligibility and visit the STM website for any other information. You can also get discounts on your transportation tickets at the ÉTS Coop.

Adaptation and Integration

Even for a short stay, you could encounter some challenges, and the experience will be all the better if you manage to build a network. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you integrate.

To stay on top of things, check your @ets email regularly. Also get into the habit of reading Interface, the student life newsletter, updated each Monday. You can attend the Language Café, which brings together several dozen students each week, or follow the activities of the AÉÉTS and the ETSperanto, which organizes various activities and cultural visits.

Enjoy your stay with us, and do not hesitate to contact us if you have any other questions or needs related to your stay at ÉTS – etudiantsetrangers@etsmtl.ca.