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. Unless you are already in Canada with an open work permit, you will need to ensure you obtain a work authorization allowing you to complete the internship in Canada. There are a few options that each have their specific eligibility criteria:
Work permit exemption
- 120-day work permit exemption for researchers. This work permit exemption can be granted to researchers who come to Canada for a period of maximum 120 days to work in a Canadian educational institution.
Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exempt work permits
- Academic award recipients for research work (C52). This work permit can be issued to interns receiving an award to carry out research work and which is granted on the basis of excellence in their academic career.
- International co-op internship work permit in the International Experience Canada program (C21). This program offers eligible undergraduate and graduate students from countries that have signed an agreement with Canada the opportunity to obtain an International co-op internship work permit.
Detailed information on the procedures for obtaining these authorizations is available in the 5-Documents and immigration section.
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:
- Research chairs and units
- ÉTS professors
- Theses and dissertations (in French only)
- Publications and research contributions (in French only)
- Tips for finding a supervisor and research topic
Obtain an invitation letter
Once you have reached an agreement with an ÉTS professor, you need to create an account in 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 authorizations to complete your internship. More information will be indicated on your invitation letter. If you do not obtain the required work authorizations (work permit or 120-day work permit exemption for researchers), 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 the employer, the Office of International Relations (OIR) will issue the official ÉTS letter of invitation required for the work permit 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. Processing times are subject to change and cannot be guaranteed.
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.
You will find below relevant information to help you prepare your application to obtain the legal authorization to work in Canada to carry out your research internship. The option most likely to apply to your situation is indicated on your invitation letter and it remains your responsibility to ensure you are eligible. Please note that the instructions presented below are provided for information purposes only and that applicable laws and regulations take precedence. In addition, decisions are made by IRCC agents following the analysis of the applications and approval is not guaranteed.
120-day work permit exemption for researchers
Please first review the eligibility criteria for the 120-day work permit exemption for researchers.
Then, verify on the IRCC website, if you need an electronic travel authorization (eTA) or a temporary resident visa (TRV) to travel to Canada.
- When an electronic travel authorization (eTA) is required
If you need to obtain an eTA to travel to Canada and you are eligible to the 120-day work permit exemption for researchers, you will first need to apply for an eTA online. You will apply for the work permit exemption directly at the airport upon your arrival.
If you plan to work in Canada in a field that would bring you into close contact with people, you will need to pass a medical exam. You will find all the details on this subject on the IRCC website. If applicable, we recommend taking the medical examination several weeks before your arrival in Canada.
- When a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is required
If you need to obtain a temporary resident visa to travel to Canada, you will need to apply online. You will have to create an IRCC secure account and answer a series of questions for your personalized document list to be generated in the system. Here are some indications to guide you:
“What would you like to do in Canada?” Work
“I have a job offer and my employer has provided me with a job offer number or LMIA number.” Yes
“Do you plan to work on any of the following work permit exempt categories?” Yes
You must answer the other questions according to your situation. A list detailing the documents to be provided will then be generated in your portal. You will need to fill the forms and provide all required documents. Please refer to the IRCC guide for more information. Here is more specific guidance on some of the required documents:
- Offer of employment: upload the invitation letter from ÉTS
- Proof of work permit exemption: upload the exemption instructions and proof that you will contribute significantly to the value of the research project: transcripts, diplomas, CV, letter of support from your supervisor in Canada, etc.
- Proof that you meet the requirements of the job being offered: upload diplomas and CV again.
We strongly suggest that you also include an explanation letter detailing the reason for your stay in Canada, the subject of the research that will be carried out as well as your role and how you meet the eligibility criteria for the 120-day work permit exemption for researchers. You can upload this letter to the Client Information section. We also recommend that you include proof of your family and economic ties in your country of origin as well as proof of your travel history, if applicable.
If you plan to work in Canada in a field that will bring you into close contact with people, you will need to pass a medical exam. You will find all the details on this subject on the IRCC website. If applicable, we recommend taking the medical examination before submitting your work permit application.
After uploading all the documents required by IRCC, you will need to pay the fees and submit the application. You will then receive a letter of instruction to make an appointment to provide your biometrics if you have not provided them within the last 10 years. If your application is approved, a letter will be generated in your IRCC secure account. It will provide information on how to send your original passport to a Canadian visa office so that your visa can be stamped in your passport.
Processing times vary depending on where the application is processed and can be viewed here.
Work permit for academic award recipients for research work (C52)
Please first consult the eligibility criteria for the work permit for academic award recipients for research work.
You will need to apply for a work permit online. You will have to create an IRCC secure account and answer a series of questions for your personalized document checklist to be generated in the system. Here are some indications to guide you:
“What would you like to do in Canada?” Work
“I have a job offer and my employer has provided me with a job offer number or LMIA number.” Yes
“Do you plan to work on any of the following work permit exempt categories?” No
“What type of work permit do you want to apply for?” A work permit for academic exchange, research or training
You must answer the other questions according to your situation.
If you plan to work in Canada in a field that will bring you into close contact with people or if the duration of your stay is more than 6 months and you have resided in a designated country for more than 6 consecutive months during the last year, you will need to pass a medical exam. You will find all the details on this subject on the IRCC website. If applicable, we recommend taking the medical examination before submitting your work permit application.
A list detailing the documents to be provided will then be generated in your portal. You will need to complete the forms and provide all documents required by IRCC. Please refer to the IRCC guide and the instructions depending on the location from which you will submit your online application for more information. You should ensure that you pay close attention to the requirements of the visa office that will process your application. Here are some more specific indications:
- Research proposal: upload a letter detailing the research project you will participate in in Canada, your role in this project and how the position offered matches your expertise and experience as well as proof that you hold a scholarship: letter from the entity providing the scholarship explaining how the recipient meets the eligibility criteria of the scholarship.
- Invitation letter: upload the letter of invitation from ÉTS and your internship agreement, if applicable.
- Proof that you meet the requirements of the job being offered: upload the description of the work permit for academic award recipients for research work (C52) and also the diplomas and CV again.
We strongly suggest that you include an explanation letter detailing the reason for your stay in Canada, the subject of the research that will be carried out as well as your role and how you meet the eligibility criteria for the work permit for academic award recipients for research work (C52). You can upload this letter to the Client Information section with the other documents listed below. We also recommend that you include proof of your family and economic ties in your country of origin as well as proof of your travel history, if applicable.
You will need to contact us at international@etsmtl.ca to obtain your job offer number as well as the receipt of payment of the employer compliance fee which you will have to include in your application.
After uploading all the documents, you will pay the fees and submit the application. You will then receive a letter of instruction to make an appointment to provide your biometrics if you have not provided them within the last 10 years. If your application is approved, a letter will be generated directly in your IRCC secure account. If you need an eTA to travel to Canada, you will receive an introduction letter including the eTA number. If you instead need a TRV to travel to Canada, the letter will instruct you how to send your original passport to a Canadian visa office to have your visa stamped in your passport. You will then receive the introduction letter and the original passport with the visa.
Subject to all reservations, processing times could be around 2 weeks if all criteria for faster processing are met. Otherwise, processing times vary depending on where the application is processed and can be viewed here.
International Co-op internship work permit in the International Experience Canada program (C21)
Please first consult the eligibility criteria for the international co-op internship work permit in the International Experience Canada program.
To participate to this program, you must first create an account to become a candidate for the international co-op internship work permit and wait to receive an invitation from IRCC to submit a work permit application. This program is subject to quotas based on nationality and on the work permit category.
All information on the steps to follow and the documents to be provided are clearly explained on the IRCC website. Please pay close attention to the deadlines for accepting the invitation and then for submitting your work permit application.
When you receive the invitation to submit a work permit application, please contact us at international@etsmtl.ca attaching the invitation letter (IMM5946) to obtain the job offer number and the receipt of payment of the employer compliance fee that you will need to include in your work permit application.
After uploading all the documents required by IRCC, you will pay the fees and submit the application. You will then receive a letter of instruction to make an appointment to provide your biometrics if you have not provided them within the last 10 years. If your application is approved, you will receive, directly in your account, an introduction letter including the eTA number.
Work permit application processing times can be viewed here. This processing time excludes the period between submitting the profile in the pool and submitting the work permit application.
When you arrive at Canadian customs, you will have to explain to the border services officer the reason for your stay in Canada and present all supporting documents.
120-day work permit exemption for researchers
- Passport
- Letter of invitation from ÉTS
- Internship agreement, if applicable
- Description of the exemption
- Evidence that you will contribute significantly to the value of the research project (transcripts, diplomas, CV, letter of support from the supervisor in Canada, etc.)
- Any other proof to demonstrate your eligibility for the exemption
IMPORTANT - Explicitly ask that the border services officer give you a visitor record (IMM1097) which includes the following remark: authorized to work in Canada as a researcher for 120 days. This is necessary to obtain a social insurance number in order to be paid (if applicable).
Work permit
- Passport
- Introduction letter
- Invitation letter from ÉTS
- Without presenting them at first, have at hand all the documents supporting your eligibility for the work permit requested, in case you need to provide more information to the officer
After the usual checks, your work permit should be printed and given to you. During your stay, you must ensure that you respect the conditions relating to your work permit issued to carry out a laboratory research internship for ÉTS. If conditions change, please notify us at international@etsmtl.ca
Before leaving customs, make sure that all the information on your visitor record or work permit is correct. If there is an error, you can respectfully request that it be corrected right away, before leaving.
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 follow the activities of the ÉTS Student Association.
Finalizing your registration at ÉTS
- At the Registrar’s Office (in French only), 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.
- 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.