If you’re interested in applying for the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, you have until October 21 to submit your application.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) opened the pool for the 2024 program in December of last year.
The IEC program offers youth from over 30 countries with bilateral Youth Mobility Agreements the chance to obtain a work permit. These permits allow holders to temporarily live and work in Canada for a specific number of years. The intake target for 2024 was set at 90,000 applications.
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Canadian citizens can also take advantage of similar agreements to live and work in these participating countries.
How the IEC Program Works
The IEC is designed for young people aged 18 to 35 (or 18 to 30, depending on the country) who want to explore Canada while gaining valuable work experience.
Much like the Express Entry system, candidates who meet the basic eligibility criteria must submit an application to the IEC pool to be considered. After submitting their profiles, candidates may be selected by IRCC and invited to apply for a work permit.
Each country and category has its own pool of eligible candidates. Some countries allow applicants to participate multiple times, depending on the category. However, participants can only apply as many times as their country permits.
IEC Streams
The IEC program offers three different streams for applicants:
- International Co-op (Internship): For eligible citizens who have secured an internship with a Canadian company. Applicants must arrange their co-op placement before applying.
- Young Professionals: For candidates who have a job offer from a Canadian employer. This stream issues employer-specific work permits, meaning candidates will work for one employer while in Canada.
- Working Holiday: This stream provides open work permits, allowing candidates to work for most employers across Canada for up to two years, offering more flexibility in terms of job location.
Once a candidate receives and accepts an invitation to apply (ITA), they have 20 days to submit their work permit application. IRCC will confirm the deadline through the candidate’s online account.
Arriving in Canada
Upon arrival, IEC participants must present their passport, Port of Entry Letter, and may be required to provide additional documents such as:
- Proof of funds,
- Proof of health insurance,
- A return ticket, or proof they have enough funds to purchase one.
IRCC advises that bank statements, showing a minimum of $2,500 for living expenses during the first three months, must be obtained no more than one week before departure for Canada.
