Internship Abroad in Canada: Visa, Insurance and Funding

An internship in Canada requires different planning from one in Europe. Canada is not an Erasmus programme country, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) does not apply there, and for arrival by air you need an electronic travel authorisation in advance. This guide explains the rules, the insurance and the funding through PROMOS and Erasmus+ International.

The key points at a glance

• For entry by air you need an eTA, which you apply for online in advance.
• Canada is not an Erasmus programme country. Funding is available only through PROMOS or, if your university has a partner-country project, through Erasmus+ International.
• The EHIC applies only in the EU, the EEA and Switzerland.
• Whether you need a work permit depends on pay and how the internship is classified.
• The duration of PROMOS funding is stated inconsistently on the university page, so ask.

Do I need a visa or an eTA for Canada?

For visits of up to six months you do not need a classic visa, and the eTA is sufficient. You apply for it online with the Canadian government, and it is tied to your passport. If the passport expires, you need a new authorisation. Work, however, is treated differently from a visit.

Whether your internship needs a work permit depends on whether you work for pay and whether the internship counts as part of your studies. On the International Experience Canada (IEC) page, the IRCC lists three categories: International Co-op (Internship), Young Professionals and Working Holiday. You can only take part through a pool and after an invitation. According to the IRCC, the pools for the 2026 season are closed (page dated 19 October 2026). Whether Germany takes part in the Co-op category and which age limit applies is shown in the IRCC questionnaire, not on the pool page. For Co-op and Young Professionals, the employer also pays a compliance fee of 230 Canadian dollars according to the IRCC. Rules change regularly, so check them directly on canada.ca and do not rely on forums.

Which health insurance do you need in Canada?

The EHIC does not apply in Canada. Under section 13(4) SGB V, statutory health insured persons can use cost reimbursement only in EU countries, the EEA and Switzerland, and Canada is none of these. For treatment, emergencies and repatriation you will usually need private travel health insurance abroad. Our article Private Health Insurance Abroad During Your Studies: 5 Tips You Should Know! explains which gaps can arise.

The public health system of the Canadian provinces is not designed for short stays as a visitor. Whether and how you receive services depends on the province and your status. If your internship is compulsory and unpaid, you remain compulsorily insured under section 5(1) no. 10 SGB V until the activity ends or until you turn 30 (section 190(10) SGB V). Confirm this in writing with your health insurer.

How much PROMOS funding is there for Canada?

PROMOS is a programme financed by the DAAD and awarded by your university. On its funding page, the DAAD lists 350 to 550 euros per month depending on the destination country, a funding period of at most six months, and for internships at least six weeks. The University of Marburg, by contrast, lists 450 to 550 euros and states the duration inconsistently on the same page: once as “at least six weeks up to two months”, and once as “six to a maximum of eight weeks”. Each university sets its own rates and deadlines, so ask your International Office. Applications in Marburg run through the Mobility-Online portal. According to the National Agency at the DAAD, Erasmus+ International (partner countries) requires that your university has a project under the funding line “Mobility with partner countries” and that the host institution is located in an eligible partner country. Your International Office can tell you whether Canada falls under this.

Assumption: about two months of internship with monthly amounts between 350 and 550 euros, the range given on the DAAD page. Calculation: 2 × 350 euros to 2 × 550 euros, that is, 700 to 1,100 euros. The first instalment often arrives only after your stay, so plan pre-financing.

Does an internship in Canada have to be paid?

The German Minimum Wage Act does not apply in Canada. In Germany, compulsory internships are exempt under section 22 MiLoG, whereas in Canada other criteria apply. The provinces set minimum wages, which differ considerably. Whether an unpaid internship is permitted depends on the individual case, so compare the contract with the requirements of the province and the immigration authority.

Which documents do you need?

• Valid passport, to which the eTA is linked
• Confirmation of the internship from the Canadian host organisation, with duration and tasks
• Confirmation from your university, such as a learning agreement or proof of enrolment
• Proof of private travel health insurance with repatriation cover

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a work permit for an internship in Canada?

That depends on how the internship is structured. If you are paid for work, a work permit is usually needed. An unpaid internship that is part of your studies is sometimes treated differently. Have the classification confirmed by the immigration authority or your university before you book.

Is the PROMOS application linked to my eTA?

No. The eTA is only your entry authorisation. For the PROMOS application you need the internship confirmation, an academic reference and a language certificate that is no more than three years old.

When should I arrange insurance?

As early as possible, ideally before the internship is confirmed. Insurers check pre-existing conditions, and gaps are hard to close afterwards. Also ask your health insurer whether your membership continues during your stay.

Will my internship in Canada be recognised by my university?

That decision lies with your university. A learning agreement or a similar agreement helps to secure recognition. Without written confirmation, you cannot be sure the credit will be granted.

What to do now

1. Ask your university whether PROMOS is suitable for your internship and about the correct duration.
2. Apply for the eTA in good time before booking and check that your passport is valid.
3. Clarify the work permit with the immigration authority or your university.
4. Take out travel health insurance with repatriation cover before you book your flight.

Related guides

• Private Health Insurance Abroad During Your Studies: 5 Tips You Should Know!
• Private Health Insurance for Internships: What You Need to Know
• Internship Abroad in Spain: Visa, Insurance and Funding
• Internship Abroad in Switzerland: Visa, Insurance, Funding
• Funding Study Abroad: BAföG, Erasmus and Scholarships

Sources: Government of Canada, eTA and work permit (as of October 2026), University of Marburg, PROMOS internship (undated), SGB V, section 13 cost reimbursement (as of October 2026), SGB V, section 5 (as of October 2026), SGB V, section 190 (as of October 2026), IRCC, International Experience Canada: pools (page dated 19 October 2026), IRCC, International Experience Canada: about the programme (last changed 23 October 2026), DAAD, funding for internships abroad (undated), National Agency at the DAAD, Erasmus+ internship abroad (retrieved October 2026).

Stand: October 2026. This guide is information, not individual advice.