International Experience Canada Program

International Experience Canada Program.

IEC Participating Countries List:

The 2024 International Experience Canada (IEC) season commenced on December 11, 2023, with weekly invitations continuing. You can evaluate your eligibility by taking our Canadian Immigration Quiz.

Most countries provide 1 to 3 categories, with France offering an additional fourth category. Work permits differ in nature; open permits grant the freedom to choose employment, whereas specific permits are linked to a single employer.

Individuals from certain countries or those who have stayed in Canada for six months must involvement required helpful examinations. Also, well-being protections is a necessity for all members in the IEC program.

Nations not right now recorded may take an interest in the IEC through recognized organizations. It is advisable to compare the IEC with similar programs available globally.

Your eligibility to apply for an IEC (International Experience Canada) work permit hinges on whether your country of citizenship has established an agreement with the Canadian government.

Country	National Working Holidays	Young Professionals International Cooperative	Age Limits
Andorra	Up to 12 months	None	18-30
Australia	Up to 24 months	Up to 24 months	18-35
Austria	Up to 12 months	Up to 12 months	18-35
Belgium	Up to 12 months	None	18-30
Chile	Up to 12 months	Up to 12 months	18-35
Costa Rica	Up to 12 months	Up to 12 months	18-35
Croatia	Up to 12 months	Up to 12 months	18-35
Czech Republic	Up to 12 months	Up to 12 months	18-35
Denmark	Up to 12 months	None	18-35
Estonia	Up to 12 months	Up to 12 months	18-35
France*	Up to 24 months	Up to 24 months	18-35
Germany	Up to 12 months	Up to 12 months	18-35
Greece	Up to 12 months	Up to 12 months	18-35
Hong Kong	Up to 12 months	None	18-30
Ireland	Up to 24 months	Up to 24 months	18-35
Italy	Up to 12 months **	Up to 12 months **	18-35
Japan	Up to 12 months	None	18-30
Latvia	Up to 12 months	Up to 12 months	18-35
Lithuania	Up to 12 months	Up to 12 months	18-35
Luxembourg	Up to 12 months	Up to 12 months	18-30
Mexico	Up to 12 months	Up to 12 months	18-29
Netherlands	Up to 12 months	Up to 12 months	18-30
New Zealand	Up to 23 months	None	18-35
Norway	Up to 12 months	Up to 12 months	18-35
Poland	Up to 12 months	Up to 12 months	18-35
Portugal	Up to 24 months	Up to 24 months	18-35
San Marino	Up to 12 months	None	18-35
Slovakia	Up to 12 months	Up to 12 months	18-35
Slovenia	Up to 12 months	Up to 12 months	18-35
South Korea	Up to 12 months	None	18-30
Spain	Up to 12 months	Up to 12 months	18-35
Sweden	Up to 12 months	Up to 12 months	18-30
Switzerland	None	Up to 18 months	18-35
Taiwan	Up to 12 months	Up to 12 months	18-35
Ukraine	Up to 12 months	Up to 12 months	18-35
United Kingdom	Up to 24 months	None	18-30

Note: Age limits and durations are subject to change and may vary based on individual circumstances and program details.

IEC Working Holiday:

An additional 1,903 IEC solicitations were conveyed during the week of September 20.
This week experienced an increase of 718 invitations, reflecting a somewhat larger draw.

The nations that gotten the most elevated number of solicitations this week are as takes after:

United Kingdom Working Occasion – 500 solicitations
Taiwan Working Holiday – 164 invitations
Australia Working Holiday – 162 invitations
Chile Working Holiday – 144 invitations
Ireland Working Holiday – 102 invitations

Numerous countries continue to possess a strong likelihood of success; however, the following nations are identified as having a significantly low probability of obtaining an invitation in 2024.

The countries highlighted in bold have been newly added this year:

Austria – WH
Chile – WH
Costa Rica – WH
France – WH
Greece – WH
Greece – YP
Hong Kong – WH
Japan – WH
Latvia – WH
Latvia – YP
Lithuania – WH
South Korea – WH
Spain – WH
United Kingdom – WH.

Additionally, the Belgium Working Holiday program has seen a decline, now categorized as having fair odds of receiving an invitation in the upcoming round.

Our records show that more than 117,700 IEC solicitations have been issued in this way distant, clearing out around 17,800 positions accessible for the 2024 season. Currently, there are 37,126 candidates in the pool, reflecting an increase of 602 candidates compared to the previous week.

The number of candidates in the pool exceeds the available spots, and this disparity is growing each week, suggesting that not all individuals awaiting an invitation in the IEC pool will be successful this year.

The following programs are witnessing the most intense competition for the remaining invitations:

France – WH: The candidate pool has increased by 415, now totaling 23,173 candidates.
United Kingdom – WH: There has been an addition of 16 candidates, bringing the total to 2,355, despite a significant number of invitations issued.
South Korea – WH: The pool has grown by 99 candidates, now comprising 2,355 individuals.

Holiday Visa for Employment:

Youths from more than 30 participating nations have the opportunity to travel to Canada for a working holiday. The process for obtaining a working holiday permit involves three key steps: first, entering the pool if you meet the eligibility criteria; second, awaiting an invitation; and third, traveling to Canada. This article will address each of these steps in detail.

Gaining work experience during your International Experience Canada (IEC) working holiday can be beneficial, as it may contribute to your application for permanent residency in Canada through the Express Entry system.

It is critical to note that the wellbeing protections prerequisite is more complex than numerous IEC working occasion members may anticipate. Insufficient health insurance coverage could lead to a reduction in the duration of your work permit or, in certain instances, result in the denial of your work permit application altogether.

The fee for a working holiday visa amounts to CAD$357, which includes a processing fee of $172, an open work permit holder fee of $100, and biometrics fees totaling $85.

IEC International Cooperative Work Permits:

To qualify for an IEC International Co-Op work permit, candidates must meet the following criteria:

Be enrolled as a student at a recognized post-secondary institution.
Provide a signed letter confirming a job offer or an employment contract for a work placement or internship in Canada. This internship must be relevant to the applicant’s field of study and fall under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3. In specific situations, NOC skill type 4 positions may also be considered.
Show that the work placement or internship is essential for the completion of their academic program.
Hold citizenship (visa) from one of the 21 nations taking part in the IEC and have get to to the Worldwide Co-Op pool.
Possess a valid passport for the entire duration of their stay in Canada, as the work permit issued will not exceed the passport’s validity.
Be aged between 18 and 30 or 35 (inclusive) at the time of application, with the upper age limit varying based on the applicant’s country of citizenship, as detailed in the ‘Who can apply?’ section.
Have a minimum of CAD$2,500 available upon arrival to cover initial expenses.
Obtain wellbeing protections for the full term of their IEC, with members possibly required to show verification of these protections upon section into Canada. Data on suppliers and cites for wellbeing protections in Canada can be obtained.
Be admissible to Canada.
Prior to departure, possess a round-trip ticket or sufficient financial resources to purchase a return ticket at the end of their authorized stay in Canada.
Not travel with dependants.
Pay the necessary fees.
Citizens from certain countries must also be residents of their country of citizenship at the time of applying for the IEC work permit.

IEC Young Professionals: Eligibility Criteria:

The IEC Young Professionals program is intended for individuals seeking to advance their careers by acquiring professional work experience in Canada.

Candidates for the IEC Young Professionals program must secure a valid job offer in Canada before their arrival, and they are required to work for the same employer at the same location throughout their stay in the country.

This program provides several benefits when compared to the IEC Working Holiday Visa in Canada:

The demand for these permits typically does not surpass the available supply, resulting in a high likelihood of approval for eligible candidates.
In certain countries, individuals may participate in the IEC program a second time, provided it is within the Young Professionals or International Co-Op categories. This allows those who previously participated in the IEC Working Holiday program to extend their time in Canada.

To qualify for an IEC Young Professionals work permit, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Possess a signed letter confirming a job offer or an employment contract for a position that, according to IRCC, “contributes to your professional development.” This is characterized as a role within the National Occupational Classification (NOC) Training, Education, Experience, Responsibilities (TEER) categories 0, 1, 2, or 3. A TEER 4 position may be considered if the applicant provides a post-secondary diploma, certificate, or degree with their work permit application, establishing a direct connection to their area of study. This stipulation also applies to individuals seeking employment in the agricultural sector. Under the IEC Young Professionals category, it is essential for the candidate to demonstrate the existence of an employer-employee relationship.
The job offer must align with the applicant’s area of expertise.
Be a citizen (passport holder) of one of the countries participating in the IEC and maintain a profile in the Young Professionals pool.
Hold a valid passport for the entire duration of their stay in Canada (the work permit issued will not exceed the passport’s validity).
Be matured between 18 and 30 or 35 (comprehensive) at the time of application. The maximum age limit is determined by the applicant’s country of citizenship, as specified in the ‘Who can apply?’ section.
Have get to to at slightest CAD$2,500 upon entry to cover introductory expenses.
Be capable of obtaining health insurance for the full duration of their IEC permit (participants may be required to present proof of this insurance upon entry into Canada). For information on providers and quotes, please refer to our Health Insurance for Canada page.
Be admissible to Canada.
Prior to departure, possess a round-trip ticket or the financial means to purchase a return ticket at the conclusion of their authorized stay in Canada.
Not be accompanied by dependants.
Pay the requisite fees.

Individuals from specific nations must also be residents of their country of citizenship when submitting their application for an IEC work permit.

IEC Recognized Organizations: A pathway to relocating to or remaining in Canada:

The 2024 Universal Encounter Canada (IEC) season commenced on December 11, 2023. The initial invitation rounds occurred during the week of January 8, 2024. To choose your capability for the IEC program, it would be perfect if you take our complimentary Canadian Development Test.

Furthermore, individuals from countries that have a youth mobility agreement with Canada, who have previously participated in the IEC program, may qualify for another IEC work permit through a recognized organization, even if the youth mobility agreement from their home country suggests otherwise. However, this option generally incurs higher costs than the standard IEC pathway, ranging from several hundred dollars with certain recognized organizations (such as SWAP) to over $4,000 with others that offer more specialized services.

The majority of IEC participants enter under the Working Holiday category, which permits them to work for any employer in Canada and to change jobs during their stay. Other categories within the IEC include Young Professionals and International Co-op, both of which necessitate an eligible job offer prior to participation.

If you are considering extending your stay in Canada, it is essential to explore whether utilizing a recognized organization is the appropriate route.

If you have reached the maximum allowable participation under the specific youth mobility agreement (YMA) between your home country and Canada, you may still have the opportunity to obtain another IEC work permit through a recognized organization, potentially allowing for up to two additional lifetime participations if you remain eligible.

In rundown, it is doable to open up your domestic and commerce in Canada through a recognized organization without requiring you to look for a non-IEC development elective. This guidance was issued by Immigration, Citizenship and Refugees Canada (IRCC) on July 31, 2019.

Only two of the nine organizations recognized by the IEC, namely Stepwest and Go, can provide this opportunity for potential repeat participants. Furthermore, the cost of their respective packages starts at CAD $4,000. Consequently, one must have a strong desire to remain in Canada and possess few alternative options for this to be considered a viable choice.

FAQ's

When Can I apply for IEC Canada work permit?

To determine the appropriate time for applying for an IEC Canada work permit, it is essential that the application pools for the Working Holiday Visa, IEC Young Professionals, and International Co-Op programs are open. Also, candidates must meet the qualification criteria for a taking an interest program. For the most current information regarding the status of open pools and the availability of spots from various countries, please refer to our Working Holiday News Hub.

What are the start and end dates for each IEC season?

IEC seasons for the most part commence in late December or January and proceed until October or November. For the most current information regarding which countries’ pools are available and the number of spots remaining, please refer to our Working Holiday News hub.