Hi
Jopa said:
I have been accepted at a internship program at Dalhousie University and in this program I will work as a trainee psychologist. I have heard a rumor that you cannot get a visa if you are to work as a health professional as part of your internship, is this correct? It is a post graduate program and my education has been accepted at the hospital.
Thank you for helping with this, it is really a big concern for me!
Here is what the FW manual states
"Work related to graduation requirements for foreign students, excluding medical interns
and externs and resident physicians C30.
This provision applies to both privately and publicly funded institutions. It applies only to
persons who hold study permits, except for the case of minors in high school who do not
require study permits but who require work experience in order to graduate. (See British
Columbia example, below.)
Note: This provision only applies to course requirements of Canadian institutions, for students actually
studying in Canada. A foreign student who comes to Canada for a year or a term may qualify for C30
if the employment forms an essential and integral part of their course of study in Canada. If the
employment is only a requirement of the foreign institution, C30 does not apply.
In cases such as these, the letter provided by the educational institution should establish clearly
that the work is a normal component of the academic program which all participants are expected
to complete in order to receive their degree, diploma or certificate. The most commonplace
example would be undergraduate co-op programs at universities and colleges. An open work
permit should be issued with the academic institution listed as the employer. In cases where
several work periods are necessary throughout the academic course (e.g., five work terms and
eight study terms for a degree), the work permit should be valid for the same period as the study
permit.
Note: Additional eligibility criteria: For the purposes of C30, an educational institution is a university,
college, or school. Professional/technical associations which offer courses are not eligible.
Foreign medical interns, externs and resident physicians, trained and educated at a
medical school outside Canada, require a work permit and a positive Labour Market
Opinion from Service Canada.
PMM
