Ask an RCIC: Who Can Participate In The International Experience Canada Program?

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The International Experience Canada (IEC) offers young people from partner countries the opportunity to work and travel in Canada for up to two years. I dare say it’s the perfect Canadian immigration pathway for digital nomads, young professionals seeking international work experience, or someone dreaming of experiencing Canada.

Before you head to the IRCC website, let’s make sure you can participate in the IEC program.

Who can participate in the IEC?

IEC is open to citizens of countries with a bilateral youth mobility agreement with Canada. Check if your country participates in the program HERE.

Application categories

There are three main application categories:

1. Working Holiday This category provides an open work permit, allowing you to work for almost any employer in Canada. It’s a great option if you want to travel across the country and fund your trip through short-term jobs.

2. Young Professionals This category is for individuals looking for jobs that align with their career plan. It requires an employer-specific work permit, meaning you need to secure a job offer in a skilled position before applying. This permit allows you to work for a designated employer in a specific location within Canada.

3. International Co-op (Internship) This category is ideal for students seeking relevant work experience in their field. Before applying, a valid job offer or internship placement in Canada is required.

Eligibility requirements

• Country Eligibility: Your home country must have a Youth Mobility Agreement with Canada. Each participating country has specific rules about work permit duration and participation limits.

• Age Limits: The general age limit is 18 to 35, but some countries have a lower cutoff (like 30). Confirm the age requirement for your country.

• Funding and Insurance: Participants must show proof of sufficient funds (usually CAD $2,500) for initial expenses in Canada and their return flight. They must also have health insurance covering their entire stay.

• Criminal Admissibility: Applicants must provide police certificates to demonstrate they are not criminally inadmissible to Canada. These are required for each country where you have lived for six months or more since age 18.

What official sources don’t tell you about applying for the IEC

Here’s what you really need to know:

The hidden advantages (and challenges)

• Permanent Residency Potential: While IEC is a temporary program, it can be an unofficial "trial run" for permanent immigration. A number of IEC participants pursue permanent residency through provincial nominee programs or the Express Entry system.

• Employer Attitudes: Canadian employers often prefer IEC holders over other temporary workers because there's no need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

• Regional Opportunities: While most participants flock to Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal, some of the best opportunities lie in smaller cities with lower competition and manageable living costs.

Practical tips for success

• Apply Early: The IEC process can be competitive. Entering the pool early and monitoring invitation rounds can increase your chances of selection.

• Category Selection Matters:

  • Choose Working Holiday if you want to test different career paths or aren't sure about your long-term plans.

  • Choose Young Professionals if you're targeting permanent residency through Canadian work experience.

  • Consider International Co-op if you're still studying in Canada or your country of residence — A new work permit would be required to continue working in Canada after your co-op placement is completed.

• Health Insurance Is a Must: Purchase comprehensive health insurance for your entire stay. Without it, you can’t participate, and if it expires before your visa, you may have to leave earlier than planned. Here are tips to get the best out of your insurance:

  • Look for international insurance providers that specifically state they meet IEC requirements

  • Most participants overpay for insurance. Look for policies with a "pause" feature for trips home.

  • Consider getting quotes from multiple providers.

The application process

1. Before Applying:

   • Set up job alerts on Indeed and LinkedIn 3-4 months before applying.

   • Join your country’s IEC Facebook groups. They share acceptance rates and timing patterns.

   • Prepare your documents early, but get police certificates last (they expire quickly).

     • How long is my police certificate good for? For the country or territory where you currently live, the certificate cannot be older than 6 months from the day you apply. For any other country or territory where you’ve stayed for 6 or more months in a row, the certificate must have been issued after you left. You can use the certificate for your IEC application as long as you haven’t gone back to that country or territory.

2. During Application:

   • Keep your documents in a cloud folder, ready to upload once you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA). When you receive an invitation to apply, you have 10 days to accept it. Once you accept it, you have 20 days to submit the application.

   • I would recommend not accepting the application on the last day as the system can be down. But also not accepting too early if you are still gathering documents.

   • Don't wait the full 10 days. Earlier submissions often get faster processing.

3. Timeline Planning:

   • The 2025 pools are now open. Good luck!

The IEC offers a flexible and exciting way to gain work experience, explore Canadian culture, or both. Understanding the criteria and preparing accordingly can help you make the most of this opportunity.