Canada and the United Kingdom have exciting news! They’ve just signed a new Canada-United Kingdom (UK) Youth Mobility Arrangement agreement. This arrangement will start in 2024 and comes with some significant improvements:
Age Expansion: The age range for eligibility has expanded from 18-30 to 18-35. This means more young people can take part.
New Streams: Two new pathways are added for UK folks coming to Canada. This opens up more options for work and experiences.
Longer Visa: The visa period has increased from 2 to 3 years. More time to explore and build a future in Canada.
This arrangement aims to create equal work chances for young people in both countries. It falls under Canada’s International Experience Canada (IEC) program, which has three categories:
Working Holiday: You can get an open work permit and work for any boss in Canada.
International Co-op (Internship): You can obtain a work permit to work with a specific employer. This helps you get experience related to your studies.
Young Professional: You get a work permit for a specific job that matches your studies or career path.
Canada already has these kinds of agreements with 37 other countries. In 2023, they’re giving the IEC opportunity to nearly 90,000 young people worldwide. This helps Canada fill job gaps in the country.
Over 240,000 Canadians have been a part of the IEC since 2008. For UK youth, this could be a great path to becoming a permanent resident in Canada.
Speaking of permanent residency, Canada has big plans. They want to welcome around 500,000 new permanent residents every year by 2025. Last year, they welcomed a record-breaking 437,000 immigrants. They’re doing this to keep their economy strong while many baby boomers retire.
Most immigrants come to Canada through the economic class. This means Canada and its provinces look at factors like age, education, language skills, work experience, and more when deciding who can stay.
So, if you’re a young person from the UK and come to Canada through IEC, you’re in a good spot. Your age, English skills, and Canadian work experience could make it easier for you to become a permanent resident. It’s like a special path that helps you start a new chapter in Canada!
