Hi guys! I'm a student from Germany and I recently applied for a 6 week (unpaid) university-related internship in BC, starting in January. The employer already approved my application. Now all I need is a work permit.
The problem is that the IEC program is already closed to German citizens, so there's no way for me to get a Co-op visa that way. They open up the process again in March, which obviously is too late. I read that there's the possibility to get a co-op visa through an employer-specific Recognized Organization (RO). There was a list of different ROs, I've already contacted those that are of relevance to me. I haven't heard back from all of them yet, but one replied saying that aside from the fee I have to pay the employer also have to pay a fee of $1750 (plus the compliance fee). I doubt that my employer is willing to pay such an extensive fee. I expect the other organizations to demand a similar fee.
I also thought about just trying to apply for a regular work permit. The CIC website said I was eligible for a "normal" work permit, but it seems a bit strange for a 6 week unpaid internship. Anyways, they list a bunch of documents I need to provide to apply for a work permit including proof that I meet the requirements of the job I was offered. However I just want to do an internship and I'm stil a student, so I don't have a lot of work experience yet. In the job description they were looking for someone who speaks English, can work independently and in teams, has a positive attitude etc. - hardly anything that's easy to prove. I'm afraid they'll decline my application.
What options do I have - or better yet: do I have any options at all?? I really want to do this internship, it would be such an incredible opportunity for me.
Any advice is greatly appreciated!! Thank you all in advance
The problem is that the IEC program is already closed to German citizens, so there's no way for me to get a Co-op visa that way. They open up the process again in March, which obviously is too late. I read that there's the possibility to get a co-op visa through an employer-specific Recognized Organization (RO). There was a list of different ROs, I've already contacted those that are of relevance to me. I haven't heard back from all of them yet, but one replied saying that aside from the fee I have to pay the employer also have to pay a fee of $1750 (plus the compliance fee). I doubt that my employer is willing to pay such an extensive fee. I expect the other organizations to demand a similar fee.
I also thought about just trying to apply for a regular work permit. The CIC website said I was eligible for a "normal" work permit, but it seems a bit strange for a 6 week unpaid internship. Anyways, they list a bunch of documents I need to provide to apply for a work permit including proof that I meet the requirements of the job I was offered. However I just want to do an internship and I'm stil a student, so I don't have a lot of work experience yet. In the job description they were looking for someone who speaks English, can work independently and in teams, has a positive attitude etc. - hardly anything that's easy to prove. I'm afraid they'll decline my application.
What options do I have - or better yet: do I have any options at all?? I really want to do this internship, it would be such an incredible opportunity for me.
Any advice is greatly appreciated!! Thank you all in advance