Highlights: Canada Announces IEC 2025 pool is now open
- The International Experience Canada (IEC) program pool for the coming year is now open.
- Youth from specific countries can acquire a Canadian work permit through the IEC program.
- You can apply for the Working Holiday, Young Professionals, or International co-op categories listed under the IEC program.
- Candidates applying for IEC’s Young Professionals stream are generally prioritized with more chances of receiving an invitation.
*Want to apply for Canada IEC? Let Y-Axis guide you with the process.
What is the International Experience Canada (IEC)?
International Experience Canada (IEC) is a temporary residence program that issues invitations via three different categories such as:
- The Working Holiday category
- The Young Professionals category
- The International Co-op category
Canada maintains bilateral youth mobility agreements with specific countries, providing opportunities and pathways for youth from those countries to enter and seek temporary residence in Canada. With an IEC, eligible youth can obtain a work permit to work in Canada temporarily.
Youth from countries with an agreement with Canada can apply for the IEC program through any of the three streams; however, those who apply through the Young Professionals category are more likely to receive an ITA.
*Want to apply for a Canada work permit? Let Y-Axis guide you with the process.
What are the Canada IEC streams?
The IEC program has three different streams for youth looking to work in Canada.
The table below has complete details of the three IEC categories or streams:
|
Work permit category |
When candidates should use this category |
Type of work permit issued |
|
Working Holiday |
You do not have a valid job offer. |
Open work permit (OWP) |
|
You want to be employed for more than one Canadian employer |
||
|
You want to work in more than one location in Canada |
||
|
You are looking to earn to travel |
||
|
Young Professionals |
You have a valid Canadian job offer that adds value to your professional growth |
Employer-specific work permit |
|
You are looking to work for a single Canadian employer at the same location. |
||
|
The job offered in Canada is paid and not a self-employed job role. |
||
|
International Co-op (Internship) |
You are a student admitted at a Canadian post-secondary institution |
Employer-specific work permit |
|
You have a Canadian job offer for an internship or placements in Canada |
||
|
The work placement/ internship requires you to finish your studies |
||
|
You are willing to work for the same employer and the same location. |
Eligibility Criteria for the Canada IEC Program
To be eligible for the IEC program, one must fulfill the below criteria:
- Be a citizen or a national of any of the countries that have a Youth mobility agreement with Canada
- A valid passport
- Be between the 18-30 or 18-35 age groups (Varies based on the country)
- Have funds worth $ 2,500 to manage expenses
- Have a valid medical insurance
- Do not have any dependents accompanying you
- Submit proof of travel details (Flight tickets)
- Complete the required fee payments
*Want to know more about the IEC process? Sign up with Y-Axis for end-to-end assistance.
Steps to apply for Canada IEC
You can follow the steps given below to apply for the IEC program:
Step 1: Check if you fulfill the given IEC criteria
Step 2: If yes, submit your profile before applying for a work permit
Step 3: Complete the biometric submission process
Step 4: Wait for the IEC work permit assessment to be done
Step 5: Fly to Canada
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For recent immigration updates on Canada, check out the Y-Axis Canada Immigration News Page!