The Canadian equivalent of the Work and Travel program
The Canadian International Experience Canada program offers foreigners aged 18 to 35 the chance to work and travel across Canada for up to 2 years.
The International Experience Canada (IEC) program is designed for foreign citizens from 36 countries, aged 18 to 35, who want to temporarily live and work in Canada.
Program Categories
Candidates for International Experience Canada are selected through three categories:
1. Working Holiday
This category offers open work permits valid for 1 to 24 months (depending on the applicant's country of citizenship). With an open work permit, foreigners can work across Canada for most Canadian employers. No job offer is required to apply.
2. Young Professionals
This category provides employer-specific work permits, allowing participants to work for the same employer in the same location throughout their stay in Canada.
A job offer from a Canadian employer is required to apply. The offered job must fall under TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the national NOC classification. TEER 4 jobs may be allowed if you provide proof of higher education. Your diploma must be translated into English or French.
3. International Co-op Internship
This category offers employer-specific work permits, allowing participants to work for the same employer in the same location throughout their stay in Canada.
Applicants must be enrolled in a post-secondary institution in their home country, have an internship offer from a Canadian company, and this internship must be a mandatory component of their studies.
How to Apply
The program participation fee for 2024 is CA$172. The average processing time is 5 weeks.
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To apply, candidates have two options:
- Log into their account on the Canadian government website and select "International Experience Canada";
- Complete a questionnaire on the government website without creating a profile.
If you're unsure about your eligibility or don't have an account, take the questionnaire. If you meet the requirements for International Experience Canada, you'll be prompted to create an account after completing the questionnaire. Create it, fill out the necessary forms, and submit.
After submission, your profile enters a pool for one of the above categories. The category depends on your country of citizenship and the work permit categories available for that country. For example, Latvian citizens are eligible for all three program categories, while Belgian citizens are only eligible for Working Holiday. A full list of eligible countries can be found on the Canadian website.
If your country is not on the list of countries whose citizens can directly apply for International Experience Canada, you can use the support of special organizations to participate in the youth exchange program. These organizations include AIESEC Canada, GO International, and others.
Submitting a profile doesn't mean you've applied for a work permit. You now need to wait for an invitation from Canada to apply for a work permit.
If you receive an Invitation to Apply for a work permit, you'll be notified in your profile. The message will specify your category and provide instructions for the next steps.
You'll have 10 days to decide whether to accept the invitation. If you accept, you'll have only 20 days to complete forms, upload supporting documents, and submit your work permit application. It's recommended to prepare all documents in advance!
Required documents include:
- Proof of financial means (bank statement showing CA$2,500);
- Proof of medical examination;
- Medical insurance;
- Police clearance certificate;
- Resume/CV;
- Passport;
- Digital photo;
- Family information.
Remember that additional documents may be requested. After accepting the invitation, you'll receive a personalized list of required documents.
You'll need to pay fees in your profile using a bank card. You'll also need to provide biometrics for your trip to Canada if you haven't done so before. There's an additional $85 fee for biometrics.
How to Stay in Canada After IEC
After gaining 1 year of work experience in Canada, IEC participants can immigrate through the federal Canadian Experience Class program. You can also use other federal programs: for Federal Skilled Worker or Federal Skilled Trades. In this case, work experience will give you more points and increase your chances for permanent residency.
Visa and Permanent Residency Assistance
If you want to ensure that you correctly complete your visa application or subsequent immigration process, you can contact us for help. Our team includes licensed immigration consultants who will analyze your situation, help collect the necessary documents, and submit your application.
