The International Experience Canada (IEC) Work Permit provides young people from around the world with the opportunity to travel and work in Canada. There are more than 30 countries participating in the International Experience Canada program, and you can apply if you are a citizen of one of these countries. This article will let you know all you need to understand this youth-targeted program.
Overview of the IEC Program
IEC provides youth with the opportunity to travel and work in Canada. There are three categories under IEC, and depending on each country, one or two or the three categories are eligible:
The Working Holiday category
If you don't have a job offer and want to travel while working at your different locations and for different employers, the Working Holiday IEC category is perfect for you.
If you are eligible (see below list of countries), you will be issued an Open Work Permit.
If you are eligible (see below list of countries), you will be issued an Open Work Permit.
The Young Professionals category
You can be eligible to the Young Professionals IEC category when you obtain a Canadian offer of employment (consistent with your career profession). You will have to work for the same company on this IEC Employer-Specific Work Permit.
The job offer has to be under NOC TEER Category 0, 1, 2 or 3. A job offer classified as a NOC TEER Category 4 could be approved if you provide a post-secondary credential.
Your employer must meet all labour laws in effect in your place of work's province/territory.
If you are eligible (see below list of countries), you will be issued an Employer-Specific Work Permit.
The job offer has to be under NOC TEER Category 0, 1, 2 or 3. A job offer classified as a NOC TEER Category 4 could be approved if you provide a post-secondary credential.
Your employer must meet all labour laws in effect in your place of work's province/territory.
If you are eligible (see below list of countries), you will be issued an Employer-Specific Work Permit.
The International Co-op Internship category
If you are a student currently studying at a post-secondary school in your country, and you hold a Canadian internship offer that you need to complete as part of your curriculum of studies, the International Co-op Internship IEC category is perfect for you.
Your employer must meet all labour laws in effect in your place of work's province/territory.
If you are eligible (see below list of countries), you will be issued an Employer-Specific Work Permit.
Your employer must meet all labour laws in effect in your place of work's province/territory.
If you are eligible (see below list of countries), you will be issued an Employer-Specific Work Permit.
List of Participating Countries
The following table will let you know if you are eligible (age, country of citizenship, and eligible category, and if you need to take a medical exam as part of your application):
Country | Age limit | Working Holiday (WH) | Young Professionals (YP) | International Co-op Internship (CO) | # of Participations | Maximum Validity | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Andorra | 18-30 | Yes | No | No | One total | WH: 12 months | |||||
Australia | 18-35 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Two total Once (i) WH or YP, and once (ii) CO | WH: 24 months YP: 24 months CO: 24 months | |||||
Austria | 18-30 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Three total One per category | WH: 12 months YP: 12 months CO: 6 months | |||||
Belgium | 18-30 | Yes | No | No | One total | WH: 12 months | |||||
Chile | 18-35 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Two total Any category | WH: 12 months YP: 12 months CO: 12 months | |||||
Costa Rica | 18-35 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Two total One per category | WH: 12 months YP: 12 months CO: 12 months | |||||
Croatia | 18-35 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Two total One per category | WH: 12 months YP: 12 months CO: 12 months | |||||
Czech Republic | 18-35 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Two total One per category | WH: 12 months YP: 12 months CO: 12 months | |||||
Denmark | 18-35 | Yes | No | No | One total | WH: 12 months | |||||
Estonia | 18-35 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Two total One per category | WH: 12 months YP: 12 months CO: 12 months | |||||
Finland | 18-35 | Yes | Yes | Yes | One total | WH: 12 months YP: 12 months CO: 12 months | |||||
France | 18-35 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Two total Once (i) WH or YP, and once (ii) CO | WH: 24 months YP: 24 months CO: 12 months | |||||
Germany | 18-35 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Two total One per category | WH: 12 months YP: 12 months CO: 12 months | |||||
Greece | 18-35 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Two total One per category | WH: 12 months YP: 12 months CO: 12 months | |||||
Hong Kong SAR | 18-30 | Yes | No | No | One total | WH: 12 months | |||||
Iceland | 18-30 | Yes | No | No | Two total | WH: 12 months | |||||
Ireland | 18-35 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Two total Once (i) WH or YP, and once (ii) CO | WH: 24 months YP: 24 months CO: 12 months | |||||
Italy | 18-35 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Two total Any category | WH: 12 months YP: 12 months CO: 12 months | |||||
Japan | 18-30 | Yes | No | No | One total | WH: 12 months | |||||
Korea, Republic | 18-35 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Two total Once for CO | WH: 24 months YP: 24 months CO: 24 months | |||||
Latvia Republic | 18-35 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Two total One per category | WH: 12 months YP: 12 months CO: 12 months | |||||
Lithuania | 18-35 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Two total One per category | WH: 12 months YP: 12 months CO: 12 months | |||||
Luxembourg | 18-30 | Yes | Yes | Yes | One total | WH: 12 months YP: 12 months CO: 12 months | |||||
Mexico | The Youth Mobility Arrangement between with Mexico is not accepting applicants at this time | ||||||||||
Netherlands | 18-30 | Yes | Yes | No | Two total One per category | WH: 12 months YP: 12 months | |||||
New Zealand | 18-35 | Yes | No | No | One total | WH: 23 months | |||||
Norway | 18-35 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Two total One per category | WH: 12 months YP: 12 months CO: 12 months | |||||
Poland | 18-35 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Two total One per category | WH: 12 months YP: 12 months CO: 12 months | |||||
Portugal | 18-35 | Yes | Yes | Yes | One total | WH: 24 months YP: 24 months CO: 24 months | |||||
San Marino | 18-35 | Yes | No | No | Two total | WH: 12 months | |||||
Slovakia | 18-35 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Two total One per category | WH: 12 months YP: 12 months CO: 12 months | |||||
Slovenia | 18-35 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Two total One per category | WH: 12 months YP: 12 months CO: 12 months | |||||
Spain | 18-35 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Two total One per category | WH: 12 months YP: 12 months CO: 12 months | |||||
Sweden | 18-30 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Two total One per category | WH: 12 months YP: 12 months CO: 12 months | |||||
Switzerland | 18-35 | No | Yes | Yes | Two total, cannot exceed 18 months | YP: 18 months CO: 12 months | |||||
Taiwan | 18-35 | Yes | Yes | Yes | One total | WH: 12 months YP: 12 months CO: 12 months | |||||
Ukraine | The Youth Mobility Arrangement between with Ukraine is not accepting applicants at this time | ||||||||||
U.K. | 18-35 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Two total, cannot exceed 36 months | WH: 24 months YP: 24 months CO: 24 months |