Apply To Explore
Get ready to EXPLORE!
Explore is all about adventure, language learning, and travel within Canada.
In the Explore program, you’ll learn or improve your French or English skills by speaking the language every day with French or English speakers. You’ll be immersed in the local culture in a French or English community in a different province. Explore has been changing participants’ lives for over 50 years, so we’re confident that you’ll have the time of your life!
Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements for Explore before applying.
Before you begin, you will need:
Government-issued identification, i.e.:
- your Canadian birth certificate, OR
- proof of Canadian citizenship (both sides), OR
- proof of permanent resident status (both sides)
Access to a scanner, smartphone, or other digital camera to capture high-quality images of your ID and declaration form
Access to a printer to print out your declaration form
Have you found your favourite sessions yet?
Before you start your application, you need to choose your top three destinations. Use our interactive map and session comparison tool to browse and select your top three Explore sessions. Look for the places and dates that work best for you. Once you’ve made your choice, come back here to begin your application.
Before you apply, choose your top three Explore sessions.
Start your application
You’ve favourited your top three sessions—now follow the steps below to complete your
Explore application through the application portal (you’ll be taken to an external site). If you
need more help, this video tutorial will guide you through the application process.
1
If this is your first time applying to one of the Official Languages Programs, you’ll need to create a profile. Otherwise, log in to your existing profile.
2
Complete the application form and click “CONFIRM AND FINISH” to save it to your account.
3
On the “My applications” page, click or tap the printer icon to print your application. The icon is next to your application number. Print your application.
4
Review the printed application. The first page of the printed application includes important information, and the second page is your official Declaration form (we’ll also send a copy of the Declaration form to you by email).
If your top three sessions aren’t listed on the Declaration form, don’t worry—they are saved in our system.
5
Take the printed Declaration form to an authorized person at your school (e.g. teacher, guidance counsellor, or the Registrar’s office) and ask them to fill in and sign the required sections.
6
Sign and date in the space provided at the bottom of the Declaration form. If you're under 18, you’ll also need a parent or guardian to sign.
7
Scan or take a clear photo of the signed Declaration form (accepted formats: .pdf, .jpg, .tiff, or .png).
8
Log back into your profile and upload the Declaration form under the “Supporting Documents” section.
9
If this is your first time applying to Official Languages Programs, you’ll need to upload a scan or photograph of your government-issued ID (your Canadian birth certificate, proof of Canadian citizenship (both sides), or proof of permanent resident status (both sides)). If you’ve previously participated in Explore, Odyssey, or Destination Clic, your ID will already be in our system.
Thank you for your interest in Explore, and good luck!
Now you can complete your
application on the go! Download
the OLP-PLO app to your smartphone
or tablet and get started.
It may take a few weeks for us to process your application. You can log in to your profile at any time to check for updates on your status.
We’ll send you email updates throughout the process, so you won’t miss any important information. If you are selected, we’ll send you a notification by email, following the pan-Canadian draw. The email will also include the session for which you’ve been selected.
Applications submitted on or before the application deadline will be included in the pan-Canadian draw. Places are awarded using a randomized, computer-generated draw.
Eligible applications that have not been randomly selected during the draw will be added to the wait pool. If spots still remain after the pan-Canadian draw acceptance deadline, eligible applications from the wait pool may be selected by the institutions that have spots left to fill. Institutional draws will take place from March to July.
Funded placements may continue to be awarded up until the program start date, so keep an eye on your inbox!
The Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) thanks all applicants for their interest in Explore.
Please note that eligibility decisions are made by the provincial or territorial ministries/departments responsible for education or postsecondary education, and such decisions are subject to the policies of participating educational institutions.
A candidate may be declared ineligible at any time under certain conditions, including but not limited to:
- Previous dismissal from the program for any reason
- Failure to meet or maintain the program’s eligibility criteria
- Non-compliance with the rules or policies of the ministries/departments or participating institutions
Not ready to apply yet?
Find out what past participants got out of their time in Explore.
Their experiences may help you decide. We hope you’ll apply!
Apply
Anytime, Anywhere.
Now you can apply to OLP-PLO programs anytime, anywhere by downloading the free OLP-PLO app! Stay up to date with notifications and real-time updates on your application status, all from your phone.
