International youth between 18 and 35 (and 18 and 30 in some countries) have the option of living and working in Canada for a maximum of two years through the International Experience Canada (IEC).
This government program consists of three different kinds of work/travel experiences:
- Working Holiday
This category is relevant for candidates meeting the following profile:
- They do not have a job offer
- They want to work in Canada for more than one employer
- They want to work in more than one location
- They would like to earn money to travel
These applicants are provided with an open work permit, which allows them to work for almost any Canada employer (with some exceptions).
A medical exam may be necessary for some jobs.
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- Young Professionals
This category applies for:
- Those with a job offer in Canada counting towards their professional development
- Those who would work for the same employer in the same location during their stay in Canada
Under this category, work needs to be:
- Paid
- Not self-employed
Applicants are provided with an employer-specific work permit, and they must meet all labor laws in the province or territory of operation – including minimum wage requirements.
The job offered to them must count towards their professional development, for which it needs to be classified under Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) category 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the NOC.
A TEER 4 job may qualify if it falls in the field of the candidate’s study. When they apply, they would need to submit their post-secondary:
- diploma
- certificate or
- degree
- International Co-op (Internship)
This category applies to those who are looking to gain overseas work experience in their relevant field of study.
In specific, candidates need to meet the following criteria:
- They are a student registered at a post-secondary institution
- They have a job offer for a work placement or internship in Canada
- They need to do this work placement or internship to complete their studies
- They will work for the same employer in the same location during their stay in Canada
The type of work permit an International Co-op (Internship) provides one with is an employer-specific work permit. The internship one is offered in Canada must directly be linked to one’s field of studies.
Wages and labor standards must follow the labor laws in the province/territory an international traveler would be working in.
The same labor code would determine whether an internship would be paid or not.
Countries That Are Part of International Experience Canada
Citizens of partner countries may be able to apply for one or more of the three categories detailed above:
| Country | Age Limit | Working Holiday | Young Professionals | International Co-op (Internship) |
| Andorra | 18 to 30 | Yes | No | No |
| Australia | 18 to 35 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Austria | 18 to 30 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Belgium | 18 to 30 | Yes | No | No |
| Chile | 18 to 35 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Costa Rica | 18 to 35 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Croatia | 18 to 35 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Czech Republic | 18 to 35 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Denmark | 18 to 35 | Yes | No | No |
| Estonia | 18 to 35 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| France | 18 to 35 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Germany | 18 to 35 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Greece | 18 to 35 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hong Kong SAR | 18 to 30 | Yes | No | No |
| Ireland | 18 to 35 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Italy | 18 to 35 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Japan | 18 to 30 | Yes | No | No |
| Korea, Republic | 18 to 30 | Yes | No | No |
| Latvia Republic | 18 to 35 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lithuania | 18 to 35 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Luxembourg | 18 to 30 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mexico | 18 to 29 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Netherlands | 18 to 30 | Yes | Yes | No |
| New Zealand | 18 to 35 | Yes | No | No |
| Norway | 18 to 35 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Poland | 18 to 35 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Portugal | 18 to 35 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| San Marino | 18 to 35 | Yes | No | No |
| Slovakia | 18 to 35 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Slovenia | 18 to 35 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Spain | 18 to 35 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sweden | 18 to 30 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Switzerland | 18 to 35 | No | Yes | Yes |
| Taiwan | 18 to 35 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ukraine | 18 to 35 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| United Kingdom | 18 to 30 | Yes | No | No |
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) publishes a list of recognized youth service organizations that provide services under IEC, for a fee to both Canadians going abroad and foreign nationals coming to Canada.
They may include help finding a job, somewhere to live, or for making travel arrangements.
Citizens of IEC countries or territories do not have to use an RO, but they can increase support. For those not coming from IEC countries/territories, coming to Canada under IEC is only possible via an RO.
The organizations are either Canadian (with overseas offices) or international (with Canada offices); there are currently seven of them
Watch video:
Approved Organizations Under International Experience Canada (as mentioned on IRCC)
AIESEC Canada
AIESEC Canada is a non-profit organization that helps develop leadership in youth.
Types of work permits:
- Young Professionals (employer-specific work permit) for career development
Target ages: 18 to 30
Eligible to: IEC countries/territories, Brazil, India
GO International
GO International is a Canadian organization that offers work and travel opportunities.
Types of work permits:
- Working Holiday (open work permit)
Target ages: 18 to 35
Eligible to: IEC countries/territories, the United States
International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE)
IAESTE offers opportunities in technical career-related jobs.
Types of work permits:
- Young Professionals (employer-specific work permit) for career development
- International Co-op (Internship) (employer-specific work permit) for students
Target ages: 18 to 35
Eligible to: IEC countries and other IAESTE country partners
A-Way to Work/International Rural Exchange Canada Inc.
The non-profit International Rural Exchange Canada offers paid opportunities to youth in:
- agriculture
- hospitality
- culinary arts
- tourism
- horticulture
- landscaping
- other sectors.
Types of work permits:
- Working Holiday (open work permit)
- Young Professionals (employer-specific work permit) for career development
Target ages: 18 to 35
Eligible to: IEC countries/territories only
Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN)
Memorial University offers internships for students and recent graduates.
Types of work permits:
- Working Holiday (open work permit)
- International Co-op (Internship) (employer-specific work permit) for students
Target ages: 18 to 35
Eligible to: IEC countries/territories only
Stepwest
Stepwest offers work experiences ranging from paid ski resort jobs to industry-specific student internships.
Types of work permits:
- Working Holiday (open work permit)
- Young Professionals (employer-specific work permit) for career development
Target ages: 18 to 35
Eligible to: IEC countries/territories only
SWAP Working Holidays
SWAP Working Holidays helps with working holidays and young professional work and travel opportunities.
Types of work permits:
- Working Holiday (open work permit)
- Young Professionals (employer-specific work permit) for career development
Target ages: 18 to 35
Eligible to: IEC countries/territories, the United States
The IEC Process
- Processing fees – CAN$ 161
- Current processing time – 11 weeks
1. Create a profile: The first step to application is to become a candidate in one or more IEC pools. This step should be completed as soon as possible, if your goal is to start working in Canada in the next 12 months.
The pools for the 2023 season are now open, and eligible candidates may make a profile.
2. Get invited to apply: If you have an invitation to apply you must have got a message pertaining to that in your account, which would list your category and next steps.
You get 10 days to decide to accept an invitation or not. If you accept it, you get 20 days to apply online for a work permit.
3. Apply for a work permit: Complete the online form, gather all required documents, pay the fees, and submit your complete application. Biometrics may also be needed.
Staying in Canada After IEC
To stay in Canada past the temporary status afforded to you by IEC, you would be required to gain Canada permanent residence.
This is possible through different economic immigration programs offered by the Government of Canada, such as the Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
The IEC puts you on good track for qualifying for the Express Entry, as you would be gaining points towards it by working in a skilled field for a period of 12 months.
Are you ready to live and work in Canada? Fill out our free evaluation form to find out if you are eligible.
Become the right candidate with the job you always wanted with our online IELTS and EECP packages at skilledworker.com.