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A Storm of Forms3-month ‘internship’ in Canada

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How can you prepare for this?

With “prepare”, I mean: bureaucracy!

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Netherlands Canada

Supervisor Supervisor

International Office International Office

Embassy Local embassy/consulate

The main characters

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How I prepared

• I started asking for information in 9 months ahead

• Got into contact with supervisor from Canada

• Started gathering information/forms from International offices

• … & online.

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How I prepared

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I’ll let you know …

When are you here?

Study?

Study!

Fix your papers!

Fix your papers, eh?

… in 28 daysif …

then …end;

Fun? Business?

Oh… Internship?= work!

What happened?

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What happened?

• Refused entry to Canada

• Contacted …• … local Dutch consulate• … immigration lawyers• … insurance companies• ... International offices• … similar cases• … flight agencies• … local airport personnel

• Flight back home

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So… how did I get in?

• Apparently, there are international exchange programmes with several countries around the world

• International Experience Canada (IEC):• Working Holiday (for working while travelling)• Young Professionals (already having a job offer)• International Co-op Internship (for short-term

internships)

• Restrictions:• Enrolment goes per calendar year (waiting lists open in Fall)• Valid for one year• You can only participate twice (in different categories)

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My advice to you

• Prepare long ahead!

• Perform research in visa requirements• Inquire at the embassy right away• Possibility to involve third-party consultants (cost money!)• Look for exchange programmes (might be per calendar

year, with waiting lists)

• Look into travel insurances• I got all my money back (based on ‘visa refusal’)• Cancellation insurance for the re-scheduled flights• Travelling insurance for expenses at location

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My advice to you

• But most of all:

Do not blindly trust your supervisors

The immigration officer has the final say!

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In the end it’s all worth it