The Federal Internship for Newcomers (FIN) Program offers eligible newcomers a chance to gain valuable temporary work experience and training opportunities with Canadian federal, provincial and municipal organizations.
There are different opportunities every year. Employers offer internships in fields like
- administration
- project support and management
- policy and research
- computer science
Through the FIN, candidates are hired as temporary employees and gain experience in
- understanding job application and hiring processes
- Canadian workplace culture
- networking with professionals
- attending training sessions
Each participant is matched with a public service mentor. The positions for the 2021-2022 program year will be available on GC Jobs from Thursday, May 6 to Sunday, May 9, 2021.
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Eligibility Criteria For FIN
To apply for the FIN Program, you must have a post-secondary degree, except for some administrative positions where it is only an asset.
You must register as soon as possible with a FIN Program partner immigrant-serving organization (ISO). Also, you must get a full screening by April 9, 2021.
When you apply you must:
- have been a permanent resident or a Canadian citizen for 10 years or less counting from:
- the day you became a permanent resident
- to the day you apply
- live or work in:
- Ottawa/Gatineau (or within a 125 kilometre radius)
- Fredericton, NB (or within a 75 kilometre radius)
- Halifax (or within a 100 kilometre radius)
- St. John’s, NL (or within a 150 kilometre radius)
- Toronto (or within a 125 kilometre radius)
- Victoria (or within a 75 kilometre radius)
More locations may be added in future.
If you were placed as an intern in one program year, you can reapply if you:
- still meet the core eligibility criteria
- have active and up-to-date files with an ISO
- inform your ISO of your intent to apply before the registration deadline
You can’t reapply if you have completed internships in two different program years.
If you are a graduate of the World University Service of Canada’s (WUSC) Student Refugee Program, you can apply from anywhere in Canada.
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Language Skills Requirements
FIN Program candidates must prove that they have the necessary language skills in English or French.
You may show diplomas, transcripts, or certificates from a recognized, post-secondary institution to prove your English or French language skills. Your institution may be in Canada or abroad, and your document must:
- show that you successfully graduated or completed a program in English or in French
- be in English or French, otherwise you should:
- include a translation of the original document
- submit a letter from the institution that proves the instruction language was English or French
If you have only taken some courses in English or French, this will not be accepted as proof of language.
If you decide to take a language course and show proof of skills through tests, you must have one of the following:
- Canadian Language Benchmarks of 7 or more in each competency
- in either English or French
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program: CELPIP-G 7
- International English Language Testing System: IELTS 6
- Test d’évaluation de Français (TEF Canada):
- 310-348 in speaking and writing (expression orale et écrite)
- 249-279 in listening (compréhension de l’oral)
- 207-232 in reading (compréhension de l’écrit)
- Test de connaissance du français (TCF Canada):
- 10-11 in speaking and writing (expression orale et écrite)
- 458-502 in listening (compréhension de l’oral)
- 453-498 in reading (compréhension de l’écrit)
Only scores obtained on or after May 6, 2019, in these tests will be considered.
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How to Apply for FIN program?
Register with a FIN partner
Before you apply, you must register in person with a FIN-partner immigrant-serving organization (ISO). The ISO will
- assess your
- core eligibility
- language skills
- job readiness
- refer you to information sessions
- advise you on credential assessment
- give you more information on how to apply
Register with your ISO as far ahead of the deadline as possible to make sure there is time for a full assessment.
Even if you applied to the FIN before, you must make sure that
- you’re registered with an ISO
- your files are active, complete and up to date
- your employment counselor is aware of your intent to apply
You must complete this step.
Apply Online
After you have registered with a FIN partner, you can submit your application online. When you apply online, you need to provide the following:
- your ISO’s name and contact information
- detailed answers to all questions to show your
- skills
- education
- experience
- proof that you meet the essential criteria
- We’ll assess your application against the statement of merit criteria.
- an explanation of how you meet all the asset criteria
- We may use asset qualifications to decide how many applicants will move to the next stage of the selection process.
Please note that you should only apply for positions for which you have the required education and experience.
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Immigrant-serving Organization Partners
Below is a list of partner ISOs you can register with.
- Ottawa/Gatineau
- World Skills Employment Centre (for Ottawa residents)
- Service Integration Travail Outaouais (SITO) (for Gatineau residents) (Services are offered in French only)
- Fredericton
- Halifax
- St. John’s, NL
- The Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
- Victoria
- National
- World University Service of Canada (WUSC), for graduates of the Student Refugee Program only.
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