This program offers young citizens aged between 18 and 35, from more than 30 countries, the opportunity to travel and work for 12 to 24 months in the country, through the Young Professionals, Working Holiday and International Internship categories.
Among some partner countries we have Japan, Chile, Australia and several countries in Europe, such as: Portugal, Germany, Ireland, United Kingdom, Belgium, Italy and Spain. (See below for the full list)
UNDERSTAND THE 3 TYPES OF PROGRAM:
WORKING HOLIDAY VISA
Participants in the Working Holiday category can receive an open work permit, valid from one to two years. Open work permits allow participants to work anywhere in Canada for almost any Canadian employer.
The Working Holiday category is for people who:
- Has no job offer;
- Want to work for more than one employer in Canada;
- Want to work in more than one location; and/or
- Want to earn more so they can travel
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
In this category, citizens of participating countries can gain valuable international experience working for a Canadian company. Applicants in this category receive a specific work permit from the employer, if approved.
This category is for people who:
- You have a valid job offer in Canada for a paid position that contributes to your professional development; and
- Plan to work for the same employer during their stay in Canada.
- Has a job offer letter or employment contract with a Canadian employer related to the candidate’s professional development is required prior to application.
- The work offered must be classified as a National Code of Occupation (NOC) Skill Type Level 0, A or B.
INTERNATIONAL CO-OP INTERNSHIP
This category allows citizens of participating countries enrolled in a post-secondary institution in their country of citizenship to spend an internship period in Canadian companies. Applicants in this category would receive a specific work permit from the employer.
This category is for people who:
- Are registered at a post-secondary institution outside of Canada;
- Have a job offer for an internship or internship in Canada that is necessary to complete your studies;
- Plan to work for the same employer during their stay in Canada.
Participants must arrange cooperative internships with Canadian employers before applying.
HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?
The IEC operates on a model similar to Express Entry, where the candidate first creates a profile to express their interest in the program and be invited to apply.
When creating the profile, the applicant will be able to select the categories in which they wish to compete for an invitation.
- According to the applicant’s nationality and selected category, he will be in the pool waiting for the next round of invitations to be distributed. (Therefore, it is important to be aware of the dates informed so as not to miss the application deadline)
- If you receive an invitation to apply through your account, you have 10 days to start your application or decline the invitation.
- If you decide to accept the invitation, when proceeding with the request you will have 20 days from that date to complete, pay and submit the work permit application.
- For Young Professional and International Coop categories, your employer must pay the $230 Employer Compliance Fee through the Employer Portal before your 20 days expire.
- For the Working Holiday category, applicants also pay their open work permit holder fee of CAD $100 at this time.
IRCC typically processes full applications within eight weeks. If approved, you will receive the notice via email.
ELIGIBILITY
Specific age and qualification requirements may vary by country.
In the case of Italian citizenship, for example, to be eligible you will need to prove that you are a resident of Italy when you apply. This means that you must provide a residential or postal address in Italy on your behalf.
To check country-specific eligibility criteria, click here to go directly to the Government of Canada page.
However, in general, to be eligible for the IEC categories, you must:
- be a citizen (passport holder) of one of the countries listed in the agreement or be a resident of one of the territories that have a bilateral agreement with Canada;
- have a valid passport for the duration of your stay in Canada (the work permit issued will not exceed the validity of the passport),
- be between the ages of 18 and 30 or 35 at the time of application (the age limit depends on the applicant’s country of citizenship);
- have the equivalent of CAN$2,500 upon disembarkation to help cover start-up expenses;
- be able to take out health insurance during your stay (participants may be required to present proof of this insurance at the point of entry into Canada);
- be admissible to Canada;
- have, prior to departure, a return ticket or financial resources to purchase a departure ticket after the end of their work permit in Canada,
- not be accompanied by dependents; and
- pay the appropriate fees.
Note: Some countries only allow you to participate once. Others allow you to participate twice, but in different categories. As each country is different, it is important that you make sure you are eligible to apply.
DEPENDENTS
Your dependents cannot apply with you to come to Canada under the IEC program.
However, they can apply separately to visit, work or study in Canada.
Regarding the work status, your spouse or common-law partner may qualified for an Open Work permit in case you get a job in Canada as a skilled worker in an occupation under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type 0, A or B approved to work in Canada six months or longer.
LIST OF COUNTRIES THAT ARE PART OF THE BILATERAL AGREEMENT
* Despite the fact that IRCC has announced in 2020 that Italy would have reached an agreement for the 12-month duration of their Working Holiday Visa program, so far the program’s official website has not been updated with this information and the work permits are being issued with 6 months of duration.
BE AWARE OF THE REGISTRATION DATES AND OPEN YOUR PROFILE ASAP
The program aims to help build economic, social and cultural ties between Canada and peer countries.
The number of candidates invited to apply during each round varies. In addition, there is a specific number of vacancies for each nationality.
Rounds will run until there are no more spots available or the IEC season ends.
A PATH TO IMMIGRATION
Through this program you have the chance to gain Canadian work experience and qualify to apply for the Canadian Experience Class. Check out our full post here to understand the Canadian Experience Class program
DO YOU THINK YOU MAY QUALIFY TO APPLY?
For more information on how to apply, contact us at [email protected]
with the subject “International Experience Canada”
STILL GOT QUESTIONS?
- Follow our youtube channel and our social networks, where we post daily content about immigration, with tips, clarifications and news from the government of Canada.
- See also the comparison between the 3 Express Entry programs here
- Click here to read the full article about the Federal Skilled Worker program
- Click here to read the full article about the Canadian Experience Class program
