International Experience Class Canada work permits provide young people from participating countries with the opportunity to travel and work in Canada. IEC Programs allow young adults to enter Canada and gain invaluable life experience.
The process is fast-tracked, most applications are processed within 8 weeks, and allow the candidate to work in the country for up to 2 years.
The advantage offered by the IEC is that work permits issued through this program do not require a Labor Market Impact Assessment. IEC participants can also apply to extend the duration of their work permits by 6 months and work in a global environment.
In this article, we will include everything you need to know about the IEC program,
including a detailed outline of the application process.
What are the categories under the IEC?
There are three pathways to apply for the IEC:
- Working Holiday
- Young Professionals
- International Co-op
In order to participate in IEC, the candidate should either be from one of the participating countries under the bilateral Youth Mobility Arrangement that provides a work permit or apply under a recognized R.O.
While applying, you may be eligible for more than one pathway but choose the one that caters to you best.
- The Working Holiday Visa:
It is a temporary work permit for 1 to 2 years open to citizens of the 35 countries mentioned above. This visa is perfect for candidates who wish to gain new valuable experiences and expand their career horizons. While applying, the candidate would need to submit their biometric data, like electronic fingerprints before departure from their home country. Under this visa, you can work in farms, retail, tourist attractions like resorts, and many more with endless options to choose from.
- Young Professionals:
This program is perfect for graduates or students who are seeking employment and wish to gain a unique working experience that will help them immensely in their careers. It is a temporary work permit for 1 to 2 years that requires the candidate to show a signed Letter of Employment from a Canada-based company as part of the application process.
- International Co-op (Internship):
This visa is valid for 12 months and is aimed at students or candidates who wish to students who intend to complete an internship in Canada that is related to their field of study. Like the Young Professionals program, this program requires the candidate to show a signed Letter of Employment from a Canada-based company as part of the application process.
List of participating countries:
The candidate should be from one of the following countries and aged between 18 – 35 years.
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- 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
Applying for the IEC through a Recognized Organization
Candidates who wish to apply for the IEC but do not belong to the countries listed above can apply through a recognized organization instead.
The list of eligible RO’s is given below:
AIESEC Canada –
AIESEC is a global platform for young people to develop their leadership potential through international internships and volunteer opportunities. Founded in 1948, AIESEC is a non-governmental, and not-for-profit organization entirely run by youth for youth.
- Eligible for IEC countries under the IEC, India, and Brazil.
GO International –
GO International is a designated Recognized Organization of the Government of Canada’s International Experience Canada program that operates its own working holiday and volunteer programs in Canada and works with partner organizations around the world to deliver highly recognized work and travel, teach abroad, and volunteer abroad programs.
- Eligible for IEC countries under the IEC and the United States of America.
International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) –
- Eligible for IEC countries under the IEC and the member countries of the IAESTE.
International Rural Exchange (IRE) –
International Rural Exchange Canada Inc. helps young adults experience paid internships and work experiences in Canada and many parts of the world.
- Eligible for IEC countries under the IEC
Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) –
- Eligible for IEC countries under the IEC
Stepwest –
Stepwest offers one of the most diverse and extensive internship and work placement networks available.
- Eligible for IEC countries under the IEC
SWAP Working Holidays –
- Eligible for IEC countries under the IEC and the United States of America.
If you wish to travel to Canada through an RO you will need to get a confirmation letter and upload it to your profile at the time of applying.
Outline of the Application Process:
- Creation of an IEC profile:
The first step to qualify for an IEC is creating an IEC profile and selecting their program from the three options offered. After the creation of the profile, if the candidate meets the eligibility requirements, their account gets entered automatically into the pool of candidates.
- Receiving an Invitation to Apply:
If the candidate gets selected, they will be issued an ITA which will expire in 10 days from the date of issuing. If the candidate chooses to accept it, they have 20 days to complete and submit the online application. Candidates applying under the Young Professional and Co-op categories should ensure that their employee pays the employer compliance fee during this time.
- Submission of the final application along with supporting documents
The candidate needs to upload the following supporting documents on the portal along with their application.
- Valid passport
- Port of Entry Letter
- Valid job offer (OR)
- Proof of vaccination
- Copy of a ticket for departure from Canada or sufficient funds to purchase such a ticket
- Biometrics:
If required, a biometric instruction letter will be sent to the candidate wherein they need to submit their biometrics within 30 days after submission of the application.
- Copies of the documents submitted in the work permit application
- Proof of sufficient funds:
The statement of the bank account should be within 7 days before your arrival in Canada. You must have CAN$2,500 in your account to support your stay for the first 3 months. If you are in possession of CAN$10,000 or more, you must inform the border services officer.
- Proof of health insurance:
If you do not have health insurance that covers the following, you may be refused entry into Canada.
- medical care
- hospitalization
- repatriation
The health insurance must be valid for the duration of the entire stay in Canada. If it expires before your time of departure from Canada, you will be issued a work permit that expires at the same time as your insurance. This is disadvantageous as this does not allow you to apply to change the conditions of your work permit at a later date. So, it is advised to get an insurance policy that covers the entirety of your stay in Canada.
- Receiving the Work Permit:
After successfully completing the above steps, you will receive your work permit.
Requirements for fully vaccinated and unvaccinated applicants:
Fully vaccinated foreign nationals do not require a job offer letter in order to enter Canada as long as you can provide proof of vaccination. Those who are unvaccinated require a job offer letter to enter Canada. Please check Canada’s updated travel rules before you travel and download the ArriveCAN app for access to the latest travel information.
