What is International Experience Canada?

International Experience Canada (IEC) is a program that provides international youth an opportunity to work in Canada short-term.

There are 3 categories you can apply for under the IEC program: (1) Working Holiday, (2) Young Professionals, and (3) International Co-op/Internship.

Who can apply for an IEC work permit?

Citizens of countries with a bilateral Youth Mobility Arrangement with Canada and are between 18-35 years old may be eligible for IEC work permits. Youth from other countries may also apply through the support of a Recognized Organization.

Which countries have a bilateral Youth Mobility Arrangement with Canada?

Countries that have a bilateral Youth Mobility Agreement with Canada are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, and United Kingdom.

What other countries allow youth citizens to apply with the support of a Recognized Organization?

Youth citizens of the countries listed above plus these countries below may apply with the support of a Recognized Organization:

Afghanistan, Argentina, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Cyprus, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, Gambia, Ghana, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Macao, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Mongolia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United States, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Yemen.

Applicants will still need to meet eligibility requirements such as education background, occupation, experience, and others.

What are the requirements for the Working Holiday category?

The Working Holiday category under the IEC program is for youth vacationers in Canada who want to fund their vacations with temporary work. These applicants will get an open work permit. To be eligible for this category, you:

• do not have a job offer at the time of application
• want to work for more than one employer
• want to work in more than one location

What are the requirements for the Young Professionals category?

Applicants under the Young Professionals category of the IEC program can gain Canadian professional work experience. These applicants will get an employer-specific work permit. To be eligible for this category, you:

• have a job offer in Canada that contributes to your professional development
• plan to work for the same employer in the same location during your stay in Canada
• will be working in a paid capacity and not self-employed
• will be working in a NOC 0, A, or B role (NOC C may be acceptable under certain conditions)

What are the requirements for the International Co-op (Internship) category?

Applicants under the International Co-op (Internship) category of the IEC program can gain valuable overseas work experience related to their field of study. These applicants will get an employer-specific work permit. To be eligible for this category, you:

• are a student at a post-secondary institution
• have a job offer for a work placement or internship in Canada
• need to do the work placement or internship to complete your studies
• will be working for the same employer during your stay in Canada

Can you bring your dependants with you under the IEC Program?

You cannot bring your dependants with you to Canada under the IEC program. However, they can apply to visit, study, or work in Canada on their own. Applications will be examined separately.

How long is the processing time and what are the application fees?

Processing times vary depending on the number of applications being processed, and usually takes 5-6 weeks.

The application fee for a work permit under the Canadian IEC program is $150. Biometrics may be required.

What are the key considerations in submitting an application?

The requirements might look simple on paper, but often applications are rejected because the documents submitted were inaccurate, incomplete, or non-compliant. Here are some key considerations when applying for a work permit under the Canadian IEC program:

• Are you applying for the right program?
• How do you determine your full eligibility to apply for the program?
• How do you work with a Recognized Organization?