Foreign Service Development Program: Apply to the program

Qualifications you need to meet

To be accepted into the Foreign Service Development Program (FSDP), you must

• have an Bachelor’s degree from a recognized post-secondary institution
• have the required work experience
• be able and willing to work overtime
• be able to get a Canadian diplomatic passport
• meet all the other essential qualifications listed on the job poster

If you’re accepted into the program, you must be willing to relocate to the National Capital Region (NCR) before your start date. Relocation assistance is available.

The essential and asset qualifications, as well as the conditions of employment, are subject to change. Make sure you review the current job poster (if one is open) for the most up-to-date information.

Apply to the inventory

You must apply online to join the FSDP. When you apply, you need to provide

• your resume
• detailed answers to all questions about your education and work experience
• proof that you meet the essential qualifications

After you apply to the inventory

We’ll review your application to confirm you meet the essential qualifications. If you do, we may invite you to

• complete a written exam
• participate in individual and group interviews
• provide your references

If you pass all of the assessments, we’ll notify you that you have partially qualified for the inventory. To fully qualify and be placed in a pool, you must also meet the conditions of employment and merit criteria, which includes having

• achieved a CCC (or higher) language proficiency level in all 3 second language evaluation (SLE) tests
  • Find out what to do if you’re not bilingual
• your top secret security clearance confirmed

If you aren’t granted a top secret clearance or can’t achieve the required language proficiency level, you’ll be removed from the process.

If you’re not bilingual

If you meet the other qualifications and conditions, we may offer you up to 2,270 hours of full-time, paid official language training before you start the program.

Official language training is held in the National Capital Region, in a classroom and group setting.

If you’re accepted to participate in official language training, you must be willing to relocate to the National Capital Region (NCR) before your start date. Relocation assistance is available.

The amount of time you spend in language training will depend on your current proficiency level in your second official language.

Get a letter of offer

Once your top secret security clearance is confirmed and you achieve a CCC (or higher) language proficiency level in your second official language, you

• are eligible to join the program
• may receive a letter of offer (when a position becomes available)

The majority of offers for the FSDP are for indeterminate (permanent) positions at the FS-01 level.

You’ll need to meet the conditions of employment and merit criteria, and you must

• maintain a top secret security clearance
• be willing and able to be posted abroad or in Canada at any time, at the request of the employer
• achieve and maintain a CCC (or higher) language proficiency level in all 3 SLE tests