International Experience Canada (IEC)
The International Experience Class (IEC) is designed to bring younger adults and youths into Canada on a temporary basis to work for temporary periods of time.
Citizens of countries with a bilateral youth mobility arrangement with Canada who are between the ages of 18 and 35 years old may be eligible for IEC Work Permits.
The IEC is composed of 3 Categories
1. Working Holiday
2. Young Professionals
3. International Co-op
Citizens of countries with a bilateral youth mobility arrangement with Canada who are between the ages of 18 and 35 years old may be eligible for IEC Work Permits.
The IEC is composed of 3 Categories
1. Working Holiday
2. Young Professionals
3. International Co-op
1. Working Holiday
Participants in this program can receive an open Work Permit, valid for one to two years. pen Work Permits allow participants to work anywhere in Canada for almost any Canadian employer.
2. Young Professionals
Under this program, citizens of participating countries can gain international experience by working for a Canadian company. A signed job offer, letter or contract of employment with a Canadian Employer related to the applicants professional development is required before applying. The job offered must be classified as a National Occupation Code (NOC) Skill type O, A or B, meaning that it must be a skilled position.
3. International Co-op
This program allows citizens of participating countries who are enrolled at a post secondary institution in their country of citizenship to spend a period of time interning for Canadian companies. Participants must arrange co-op placement with Canadian employers before applying. Applicants must be registered students for the duration of the internship.
Eligibility Requirements for the IEC Program
Candidates MUST:
- Be a citizen of one of the 33 countries that have a bilateral youth mobility agreement with Canada
- Have a valid passport for the duration of their stay in Canada as the Work Permit issued will not be longer than the validity of the passport
- Be between the ages of 18 and 30 or 35 at the time of application. The upper age limit is dependent upon the applicants country
- Have the equivalent of $2,500.00 CAD upon port of entry to help cover initial set up expenses.
- Take out health insurance for the duration of their stay in Canada. Proof of this may be required at the port of entry into Canada.
- Be admissible to Canada. Not have any serious health issues or criminal record etc.
- Have prior to departure, a round trip ticket or the financial resources to purchase a departure ticket for the end of their authorized stay in Canada.
- Not be accompanied by dependents
- Pay the appropriate fees
Application Process
Eligible candidates must submit an IEC profile to express interest in the IEC program under one or more of the three categories. All profiles are then placed into the appropriate category pools and candidates are randomly selected during scheduled rounds of invitations.
Invitations to Apply (ITA) are issued in the following order of priority
1. International Internship (Co-op)
2. Young Professionals
3. Working Holiday
When a candidate is selected they are given an Invitation to Apply and then they will have 10 days to accept or reject the invitation. Once a candidate accepts and invitation, they have 20 days to apply for a Work Permit.
If the application is successful then a letter of introduction (LOI) will be issued. This letter is to be presented upon arrival at a port of entry in Canada, and here a work permit will be issued.
Although no work permit extensions are permitted under the IEC Program, there are certain scenarios that allow participants to increase the validity of an IEC Work Permit.
Invitations to Apply (ITA) are issued in the following order of priority
1. International Internship (Co-op)
2. Young Professionals
3. Working Holiday
When a candidate is selected they are given an Invitation to Apply and then they will have 10 days to accept or reject the invitation. Once a candidate accepts and invitation, they have 20 days to apply for a Work Permit.
If the application is successful then a letter of introduction (LOI) will be issued. This letter is to be presented upon arrival at a port of entry in Canada, and here a work permit will be issued.
Although no work permit extensions are permitted under the IEC Program, there are certain scenarios that allow participants to increase the validity of an IEC Work Permit.
