Frequently Asked Questions – Professional Internship Program

These are the Frequently asked Questions (FAQ) for our Unpaid Professional Internship Program. For other FAQs, please check the sidebar of this blog. If you have a question about the Unpaid Professional Internship Program that you do not find in the FAQs, please ask us in the comments section of this post.

• What is the Professional Internship Program?
• Will I be paid for my internship?
• Are unpaid internships legal?
• What jobs can I do in the Professional Internship Program?
• How long is an internship?
• Can I do an internship part-time?
• What kind of visa will I need?
• What language level will I need?
• Can I do an internship anywhere in Canada?
• Can I find my own internship?
• Can I choose my company?
• How many interviews will I go to?
• What happens if I don’t like my internship?
• Can I quit an internship?
• How much does the program cost?

What is the Professional Internship Program?

The Professional Internship Program is our unpaid internship program for international students. This internship program allows international students to work for 6 weeks or more with a Canadian company. Click here for more information.
back.

Will I be paid for my internship?

No. This is our unpaid internship program. If you would like to be paid, please look at our Working Holiday Program, or our Paid Internship Program.
back.

Are unpaid internships legal?

Yes. Unpaid internships are legal provided that they are connected to a course of study.
back.

What jobs can I do in the Professional Internship Program?

You can do almost any job in the Professional Internship Program – the only restrictions are for health care, child care, and agriculture. These are closed occupations and require special types of visas and have very strict requirements.

These are some of the fields where internships are available: law, accounting, business administration, engineering (electronic and industrial), graphic design, architecture, international trade, marketing, events planning, information technology, environmental advocacy, and more…

Click here for current internship postings
back.

How long is an internship?

The minimum length of an internship is 4 weeks – the maximum is 52 weeks. The average internship is 8 weeks. The shorter the internship, the more limited your options are. 4-week internships will almost certainly be with a non-governmental organization in a general office administration role. Internships longer than 6 weeks will mean that you will have the option of working in your field.
back.

Can I do an internship part-time?

No. Internships are full-time, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. If you are studying at an ESL school or college in Canada, you can do your internship at the end of your in-class studies.
back.

What kind of visa will I need?

You will need a work permit. The most widely used work permit for internships is the C30 Work and Study Permit. This is available for people who are studying at a Canadian language school. This is open to people from any country, but you must get this visa before you come to Canada.

If you are from France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, or Switzerland, you can come to Canada for an internship using a special ‘internship visa’. This visa is sometimes called a ‘Youth Mobility Visa’ or a ‘Young Workers Exchange Visa’. This will allow you to do an internship in your field of studies. If you are a citizen of one of these countries and are not a student, you can do an internship in your field of work – though this must be a paid internship.

For more information on visas, please contact us.
back.

What language level will I need?

The minimum language level is intermediate spoken English. This is the equivalent of Cambridge FCE level, IELTS 5.0, or TOEIC 700. These are minimum levels. If you have better English speaking and listening abilities you will have a better internship experience. Minimum language requirements may be different if you are joining the internship program through a language school.
back.

Can I do an internship anywhere in Canada?

No. Internships are available in Metro Vancouver and in the Greater Toronto Area only. If you are interested in working in other parts of Canada, you may want to consider joining our Working Holiday program.
back.

Can I find my own internship?

You are certainly welcome to try. WISH Canada has a database of more than 400 host companies in Vancouver and Toronto. We have years of experience in arranging internships. Please contact us if you want expert assistance in finding an internship.
back.

Can I choose my company?

Yes and no. During the placement process we will send you lists of possible host companies – you can choose from these or suggest alternatives. However we cannot guarantee placement in any specific company.
back.

How many interviews will I go to?

Most students pass their first interview. But if you do not pass your interview, you can go to as many as three interviews. If you fail three interviews we may ask you if you would like to reconsider your internship options or we may refund your money and remove you from the internship program.
back.

What happens if I don’t like my internship?

Many people have problems when they first start their internship. They have difficulty adapting or fitting in. In these situations we work with the company and the student to make the transition smoother. In situations where there is a genuine personality conflict or where the internship promised by the host company is significantly different from what is delivered, we will consider re-placement with another company (at no additional charge).
back.

Can I quit an internship?

Yes. However there will be no refund given to people who quit their internship host company.
back.

How much does the program cost?

The internship program typically costs $1200. However, this can be higher – $1500 – for people who require internship placement before they come to Canada. Fees may be higher or lower for people joining the internship program through their language school.
back.