Overview of the IEC Program

One of the International Experience Canada (IEC) categories of work permits is known as ‘Young Professionals’. It allows young people from more than 20 countries to live and work in Canada for up to two years.

IEC provides youth with the opportunity to travel and work in Canada. There are three categories under IEC, and depending on each country, one or two or the three categories are eligible:

The Working Holiday category

If you don't have a job offer and want to travel while working at your different locations and for different employers, the Working Holiday IEC category is perfect for you.

The Young Professionals category

You can be eligible to the Young Professionals IEC category when you obtain a Canadian offer of employment (consistent with your career profession). You will have to work for the same company on this IEC Employer-Specific Work Permit.

The job offer has to be under NOC Skill Type/Level 0, A or B. A job offer classified as a NOC Skill Level C could be approved if you provide a post-secondary credential.

Your employer must meet all labour laws in effect in your place of work's province/territory.

If you are eligible (see below list of countries), you will be issued an Employer-Specific Work Permit.

The International Co-op Internship category

If you are a student currently studying at a post-secondary school in your country, and you hold a Canadian internship offer that you need to complete as part of your curriculum of studies, the International Co-op Internship IEC category is perfect for you.

The job offer has to be under NOC Skill Type/Level 0, A or B. A job offer classified as a NOC Skill Level C could be approved if you provide a post-secondary credential.

Your employer must meet all labour laws in effect in your place of work's province/territory.

To be eligibility IEC program the candidates must:

• Be citizen or permanent residence of one of the 33 countries having a bilateral youth mobility agreement with Canada
• Be having a passport which does not expire within the duration of their stay in Canada as the work permit is only issued up to the validity of the passport
• Be of 18 to 30 or 35 years of age at the time of application depending upon the applicant’s country of citizenship
• Be possessing an equivalent of $2,500 CAN upon landing in Canada so as to help him cover initial boarding and lounging expenses
• Be in a position to take health insurance coverage during their stay. They must show evidence at the Point of Entry.
• Be criminally and medically admissible to Canada;
• Be having a round-trip ticket or must have financial means to purchase one at the expiry of their visa.
• Be visiting without any accompanying dependents and have paid the appropriate fees

All Eligible candidates under all the three categories submit their IEC profile to express their interest in the IEC program. IEC profiles are entered into suitable category of pool(s) and are selected during scheduled “Rounds” of invitations on random basis which is different for different country.