International Experience Canada (IEC)

The work permits under the International Experience Canada (IEC) program are awarded through a lottery system. Not all interested foreign nationals will necessarily be selected, and the chances of success depend on the specific quotas for each program and country. The IEC offers three distinct programs, each with its own requirements:

• Working Holiday
• Young Professionals
• International Co-op Internship

It is important to note that while the IEC encompasses these three programs, Canada has specific agreements with each participating country. Therefore, some countries may only offer one or two of the IEC programs, while others may offer all three options.

Did you know? The IEC program is based on bilateral agreements between Canada and other countries, which means that Canadian citizens can also travel and work in the participating IEC countries!

To be eligible for International Experience Canada (IEC), a foreign national must meet the age criteria defined for their country’s program, with a maximum age set at 35 years. Additionally, their country of citizenship must have an agreement with Canada allowing for the application of a work permit. The following countries have bilateral agreements with Canada under the IEC program:

The Working Holiday Visa is ideal for those looking to enjoy the freedom to work for any employer during their stay in Canada. Candidates selected under this program receive an open work permit, allowing them to change employers and job locations as they wish while living in Canada. This program is particularly suited for nationals of participating countries seeking the following benefits:

• No need for a job offer from a Canadian employer
• Freedom to work for multiple employers
• Freedom to live in different locations
• Opportunity to earn money while traveling

Due to its relatively flexible requirements, the Working Holiday program is extremely popular. Canada approves predetermined quotas of candidates for this program based on each country. Interested individuals should check the available quotas for their country to assess their chances of success.

The Young Professionals program allows foreign nationals to develop their professional experience in Canada by working for a Canadian employer. To be eligible, candidates must have a job offer from an employer in Canada before applying. Selected participants receive an employer-specific work permit, which means they must work for the same employer and in the same location throughout their stay in Canada. This program is an excellent option for nationals of participating countries seeking the following:

• A job offer from a Canadian employer that contributes to their professional development.
• To work for the same employer in the same location during their stay in Canada.
• To hold a paid position rather than working as a self-employed individual.

In general, the position must correspond to skill levels 0, A, or B of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) to be considered as contributing to professional development. Each participating country has specific annual quotas. Interested candidates should check their country’s quotas to assess their chances of success.

The International Co-op Internship program offers international students the opportunity to undertake an internship or work placement in Canada as part of their post-secondary studies. To be eligible, candidates must have received a job offer for an internship or placement in Canada, which is necessary for the completion of their studies. Selected participants obtain an employer-specific work permit, meaning they must work for the same employer and at the same location for the duration of their stay. This program is an excellent option for nationals from participating countries who find themselves in one or more of the following situations:

• International students enrolled in a post-secondary educational institution
• International students with a job offer for a work placement or internship in Canada
• International students seeking a work placement or internship to complete their studies
• International students ready to work for the same employer at the same location during their stay in Canada

Candidates should check the specific requirements and quotas for their country to fully understand the application procedures and assess their chances of success.

Foreign nationals wishing to participate in an International Experience Canada (IEC) program must follow a five-step process:

Step One: Create an IEC Profile

After confirming their country’s eligibility for the IEC program and selecting their desired program, candidates can create an account on the IEC website. As long as they meet the eligibility criteria, their account is automatically placed in the IEC candidate pool.

Step Two: Receive an Invitation to Apply

The IEC regularly conducts draws to select candidates. If a candidate is chosen, they will receive an invitation to apply, allowing them to move on to the next step. Quotas vary depending on the programs and countries, so candidates should check their country’s quotas to better assess their chances of being invited to apply.

Step Three: Accept the Invitation to Apply

Once the invitation is received, the candidate has 10 days to accept it. After acceptance, they have 20 days to submit an online work permit application. If the invitation is declined, the candidate remains in the pool and may be selected in future draws.

Step Four: Submit the Work Permit Application

After accepting the invitation, the candidate has 20 days to submit their work permit application via the IRCC portal. It is recommended to carefully check the required documents to prepare the application within the allotted time.

Step Five: Receive the Work Permit

If the application is approved, the candidate will receive confirmation of their work permit along with information about the validity period of their authorization to work in Canada.