Interested in Moving to and Working in Canada?

The International Experience Canada (IEC) program for 2025 is now open and accepting candidate profiles. This program offers youth from eligible countries the chance to obtain Canadian work permits and gain valuable international work experience.

Why Choose the IEC Program?

Unlike many other work permit programs, the IEC provides participants with greater certainty about their chances of success. Work experience gained under this program can also help foreign nationals become eligible for permanent residence in Canada. This is particularly beneficial for those pursuing the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) pathway or seeking to boost their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score under Express Entry.

What Is the IEC Program?

The IEC is a temporary residence program designed for youth from countries with bilateral youth mobility agreements with Canada. These agreements allow young people to live and work in Canada, while Canadian youth enjoy similar opportunities abroad.

The IEC program offers three distinct streams:

1. Working Holiday: For those seeking flexibility to work for multiple employers and travel in Canada with an open work permit.
2. Young Professionals: For participants with a job offer tied to their career development, requiring an employer-specific work permit.
3. International Co-op (Internship): For students needing a work placement or internship in Canada to complete their studies, also requiring an employer-specific work permit.

Each category serves different purposes, providing tailored options to meet various needs.

Who Is Eligible for the IEC Program?

To qualify for the IEC, candidates must:

• Be citizens of a country with a youth mobility agreement with Canada.
• Have a valid passport for the duration of their stay.
• Fall within the eligible age range (18-30 or 18-35, depending on their country).
• Possess at least CAD 2,500 upon arrival to cover expenses.
• Secure health insurance for their stay in Canada.
• Be admissible to Canada.
• Travel without dependents.
• Have a round-trip ticket or funds to purchase one before their departure.
• Pay the required fees.

To confirm if your country has a youth mobility agreement with Canada and the specific terms, visit the IEC program’s webpage.

How to Apply for the IEC Program

The IEC application process involves several key steps:

1. Submit a Candidate Profile:
   Provide basic personal information to enter the IEC pool.

2. Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA):
   Profiles in the pool may receive an ITA based on the number of available spots and the applicant’s country quota.

3. Begin the Work Permit Application:
   Once invited, candidates must start their application within 10 days or decline the invitation.

The chances of receiving an ITA vary based on several factors, such as:

• The applicant’s country quota.
• The number of work permits issued to their country.
• The number of candidates in the pool.
• Remaining spots in their chosen category.

The IEC program prioritizes the Young Professionals stream, offering better chances of selection in this category than others.

Check Your Chances of Success

Applicants can use the likelihood rating system to gauge their chances of receiving a work permit:

Visit the “Rounds of Invitations” page on the IEC website to track your likelihood of success.