The International Experience Canada (IEC) program is the result of bilateral agreements between Canada and other countries that permit young people to earn international work experience in Canada. Program quotas and specific requirements vary by country of origin, but applicants must generally be between the ages of 18-35, with work permits lasting up to 24 months.
There are three IEC categories:
- Working Holiday
- Young Professionals
- International Co-Op Internships
Applicants for all three IEC programs are required to pay a $153 program participation fee. Working Holiday applicants must pay an additional fee of $100 to obtain an open work permit. Open work permits allow a foreign national to work for any employer in Canada.
Please note that submitting biometrics is now a required step for the IEC program and will be subject to fees of $85 per person.
Each country and category is subject to certain financial requirements, age requirements as well as quotas. For country-specific program information, please visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada IEC website. Please be advised that while IEC officially opens on December 9th, 2019 some country and category quotas may not yet be open for 2019. Please check back regularly.
Information for Employers
The IEC program can provide a valuable experience for both young foreign nationals as well as employers. Employers are permitted to actively recruit candidates for all three IEC programs without a requirement to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment. Employers should be advised that because foreign nationals in the Young Professional and International Co-Op Internship categories receive employer-specific work permits, they are subject to the new $230 employer compliance fee. This fee must be remitted to Citizenship and Immigration Canada before young foreign nationals can apply for their work permit.
For further information about the IEC program, or to discuss making an application, please contact Green and Spiegel LLP.
