What is the IEC?
The International Experience Canada is a youth mobility agreement that allows eligible individuals from participating nations to travel and work in partner countries. It enables the youth to gain international job experience, develop professionally and experience other cultures. Canada currently has reciprocal youth mobility arrangements with over 30 countries worldwide.
Eligible candidates under this program are young individuals between 18-35 or 18-30. The program helps them secure a temporary Canadian work permit or visa for up to 2 years.
The program has already issued over 120,000 invitations to apply in 2022.
What are the advantages of IEC work permits?
The IEC program makes it easier for youths from eligible countries to secure Canadian work permits. IEC work permits have quicker processing times. The candidates also have access to three different programs under the IEC.
To summarize, the benefits of the IEC are:
- Easier application process
- More flexibility to choose from the three programs under the IEC
- Quicker processing times
Does the IEC allow you to immigrate to Canada?
The IEC work visa is a temporary permit that only allows you to travel and work in Canada for a limited period. You’ll need to apply for permanent residency if you want to immigrate to Canada.
Who is eligible for IEC?
To be eligible, you must be between 18-35 or 18-30, depending on the program, and your country of citizenship must have a Youth Mobility Agreement with Canada.
If your country does not have a Youth Mobility Agreement, you can use a recognized organization (RO) to help you work and travel to Canada under the IEC program.
Which countries have youth mobility agreements with Canada?
The following countries have youth mobility agreements with Canada:
|
Country |
Available IEC Categories |
| Andorra |
|
| Australia |
|
| Austria |
|
| Belgium |
|
| Canada |
|
| Chile |
|
| Costa Rica |
|
| Croatia |
|
| Czech Republic |
|
| Denmark |
|
| Estonia |
|
| France |
|
| Germany |
|
| Greece |
|
| Hong Kong |
|
| Ireland |
|
| Italy |
|
| Japan |
|
| Korea (Rep) |
|
| Latvia |
|
| Lithuania |
|
| Luxembourg |
|
| Mexico |
|
| Netherlands |
|
| New Zealand |
|
| Norway |
|
| Poland |
|
| Portugal |
|
| San Marino |
|
| Slovakia |
|
| Slovenia |
|
| Spain |
|
| Sweden |
|
| Switzerland |
|
| Taiwan |
|
| Ukraine |
|
| United Kingdom |
|
Remember, not all agreements are the same, and the programs available to each country will vary. Some countries even allow applicants to participate twice.
What are Recognized organizations?
Recognized organizations (RO) are youth service organizations that can help and support your IEC application if you come from a non-IEC country. Their services include providing information on Canadian culture, languages, laws, taxes and finding a job or transportation.
The IRCC website has a list of ROs and information on how to use their services.
|
Recognized organization |
Work permit |
Target |
Eligible to |
| AIESEC Canada | Young Professionals (employer-specific work permit) | ages 18 to 30 | IEC countries/territories, Brazil, India |
| GO International | Working Holiday (open work permit)
|
18 to 35 | IEC countries/territories, the United States |
| International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) |
|
18 to 35 | EC countries and other IAESTE country partners |
| A-Way to Work/ International Rural Exchange Canada Inc |
|
18 to 35 | IEC countries/territories only |
| Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) |
|
18 to 35 | IEC countries/territories only |
| Stepwest |
|
18 to 35 | IEC countries/territories only |
| SWAP Working Holidays |
|
18 to 35 | IEC countries/territories, the United States |
How many programs are available under the IEC?
The International Experience Canada offers three different kinds of work and travel experiences:
- Working Holiday- Applicants do not need a job offer under this category. You are provided with an open work permit that lets you work for more than one Canadian employer in more than one location. As the name suggests, this category combines work and fun.
- Young Professionals- This program requires a valid job offer related to your field of study in Canada. It has an employer-specific work permit that limits you to a single employer and location for the duration of your stay in Canada. The job must be paid and relevant to your professional development.
- International Co-op (Internship)- This category is for students at a post-secondary institution with a work placement or internship. Applicants receive an employer-specific work permit that restricts them to the same employer and location during their stay in Canada.
Not all programs are available to all Canadian IEC partners.
Can you study in Canada with an IEC work permit?
According to the IRCC, you may enrol in individual courses, provided they are completed within six months.
Any course/program that lasts longer than six months requires a study permit.
How to apply for an IEC work permit?
The process starts with the Come to Canada questionnaire. The series of questions will determine if you’re eligible for IEC, depending on your nationality, age, language, education, work experience and other determining factors. You’ll also receive a personal reference code after this questionnaire.
The next step is creating your IRCC account. Use your personal reference code and begin your application. The site will notify you which IEC pools are available to you. You can then submit your profile to one of the IEC pools. Your profile will stay in this pool until you receive an Invitation to Apply for a work permit or until the end of the IEC season when all profiles are cleared from the pool.
Supporting documents required for a Canadian work visa
Some supporting documents that you may need if you’re invited to apply for a work permit are:
- Proof of financial support
- Medical exams
- Health insurance
- Police certificates
- CV/ resume
- Valid Passport
- Digital photo
- Family information form
- Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)/ visitor visa application-
- Proof of residency
You may have to provide program-specific documents depending on your program under the IEC. These include:
- International Co-op (Internship)
- Proof of school registration
- Proof that your job is related to your field of study
- Young Professionals
- Diploma/certificate/degree
- Applicants using a Recognized Organization (RO)
- Copy of confirmation letter from the RO
How much does a Canadian work visa cost?
A single work permit application costs $156.
Under the Working Holiday program, applicants must pay an additional $100 for their open work permit holder fee.
What is the processing time for a Canadian work visa in 2022?
According to the IRCC, it takes six weeks to process a work permit application.
Do you still need to apply separately for a visitor visa or eTA?
No, you need not apply separately for an eTA or visitor visa.
Citizens of visa-exempted nations will automatically receive an eTA after their IEC work permit application is approved. For other countries, you will receive a request letter for your passport so they can issue the visa.
The International Experience Canada is a legitimate route for young individuals with limited financial mobility to travel and work in Canada. It allows applicants to grow their educational and professional resumes while working and earning simultaneously. Also, Citizens of certain counties are allowed to participate for a second time, and the Canadian work experience is invaluable if you’re looking to immigrate permanently in the future.
