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International Experience Canada

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International Experience Canada

International Experience Canada (IEC) is a program designed to allow youth the opportunity to work in Canada for temporary periods.

Citizens of countries with a bilateral youth mobility arrangement with Canada who are between 18 and 35 years old may be eligible for IEC work permits.

The IEC program is composed of three categories:

  • Working Holiday
  • Young Professionals
  • International Co-op

Working Holiday

Participants in this program can receive an open work permit, valid for one to two years. Open work permits allow participants to work anywhere in Canada for almost any Canadian employer. Nationals of some countries may be allowed to stay in Canada for more or less than one year.

Young Professionals

Under this program, citizens of participating countries can gain valuable international experience by working for a Canadian company. A signed job offer letter or contract of employment with a Canadian employer related to the applicant’s professional development is required before applying.The job offered must be classified as a National Occupation Code (NOC) Skill Type Level 0, A, or B.

International Co-op

This program allows citizens of participating countries who are enrolled at a post-secondary institution in their country of citizenship to spend a period of time interning for Canadian companies. Participants must arrange co-op placements with Canadian employers before applying. Applicants must be registered students for the duration of the internship.

Eligibility requirements for the IEC program

Candidates must:

  • be a citizen (passport holder) of one of the 32 countries that have a bilateral youth mobility agreement with Canada;
  • have a valid passport for the duration of their stay in Canada (the work permit issued will not be longer than the validity of the passport),
  • be between the ages of 18 and 30 or 35 at the time of application (the upper age limit depends on the applicant’s country of citizenship);
  • have the equivalent of $2,500 CAN upon landing to help cover initial expenses;
  • be able to take out health insurance for the duration of their stay (participants may have to present evidence of this insurance at the point of entry in Canada);
  • be admissible to Canada;
  • have, prior to departure, a round-trip ticket or the financial resources to purchase a departure ticket for the end of their authorized stay in Canada,
  • not be accompanied by dependents; and
  • pay the appropriate fees.

Please note that specific age and eligibility requirements may vary by country.

IEC Overview for 2015/16

The validity/length of each visa type is specified in the three central columns and will depend on the nationality of the applicant and the visa type that he or she has applied for.

Country Working Holiday Young Professionals International Co-op (Internship) Age Limit 2015/16 Opening Date (DD/MM/YY)
Australia Up to 24 months Up to 24 months Up to 12 months 18-30 30/11/15
Austria N/A Up to 12 months Up to 6 months 18-30 04/12/15
Belgium Up to 12 months N/A N/A 18-30 30/11/15
Chile Up to 12 months Up to 12 months Up to 12 months 18-35 02/12/15
Costa Rica Up to 12 months Up to 12 months Up to 12 months 18-35 02/12/15
Croatia Up to 12 months Up to 12 months Up to 12 months 18-35 30/11/15
Czech Republic Up to 12 months Up to 12 months Up to 12 months 18-35 04/12/15
Denmark Up to 12 months N/A N/A 18-35 30/11/15
Estonia Up to 12 months Up to 12 months Up to 12 months 18-35 30/11/15
France* Up to 24 months Up to 24 months Up to 12 months 18-35 01/12/15
Germany Up to 12 months Up to 12 months Up to 12 months 18-35 01/12/15
Greece Up to 12 months Up to 12 months Up to 12 months 18-35 04/12/15
Hong Kong Up to 12 months N/A N/A 18-30 06/12/15
Ireland Up to 24 months Up to 24 months Up to 12 months 18-35 03/12/15
Italy Up to 6 months N/A N/A 18-35 04/12/15
Japan Up to 12 months N/A N/A 18-30 07/12/15
Korea Up to 12 months N/A N/A 18-30 07/12/15
Latvia Up to 12 months Up to 12 months Up to 12 months 18-35 30/11/15
Lithuania Up to 12 months Up to 12 months Up to 12 months 18-35 30/11/15
Mexico Up to 12 months Up to 12 months Up to 12 months 18-29 “When bilateral negotiations have concluded”
Netherlands Up to 12 months Up to 12 months N/A 18-30 30/11/15
New Zealand Up to 23 months N/A N/A 18-35 30/11/15
Norway Up to 12 months Up to 12 months Up to 12 months 18-35 30/11/15
Poland Up to 12 months Up to 12 months Up to 12 months 18-35 30/11/15
Slovakia Up to 12 months Up to 12 months Up to 12 months 18-35 30/11/15
Slovenia Up to 12 months Up to 12 months Up to 12 months 18-35 30/11/15
Spain* Up to 12 months Up to 12 months Up to 12 months 18-35 04/12/15
Sweden Up to 12 months Up to 12 months Up to 12 months 18-30 30/11/15
Switzerland N/A Up to 18 months Up to 12 months 18-35 30/11/15
Taiwan Up to 12 months Up to 12 months Up to 12 months 18-35 06/12/15
Ukraine Up to 12 months Up to 12 months Up to 12 months 18-35 “When bilateral negotiations have concluded”
United Kingdom Up to 24 months N/A N/A 18-30 30/11/15

*Citizens can participate in special IEC student summer job initiatives exclusive to their country.