Other rules apply to international internships. During your professional integration period you are entitled to do the following abroad as a young jobseeker:
- Take courses or lessons
- Do an internship in a professional environment (business, NGO or other)
- Volunteer
The lessons, courses or internships must be seen to increase your chances of professional integration in the labour market.
You can use form C36,5 to find out whether the internship or course you are interested in will allow you to continue your professional integration period. The time spent abroad studying or doing an internship will be considered equivalent to the professional integration period.
If the RVA approves your request then you can refuse job offers. If you do receive a job offer, you may have to submit a copy of form C36,5 to the VDAB.
If your internship or studies abroad have not yet ended at the end of the professional integration period and you would like to continue your internship or studies, you will have to request an exemption as a 'jobseeker' after the professional integration period (= exemption from availability for the labour market). You can apply for this via VDAB
If the exemption is denied then you can complete your course by using up all your holiday. You cannot complete an internship without an exemption. In principle, the exemption is granted for a limited period of time only (max. 3 months per calendar year).