By: Ben Merrill, Articling Student
Overview
If working in Canada while taking in its natural wonders and exploring its bustling and exciting cities has always appealed to you, the International Experience Canada (IEC) program might be the opportunity you have been waiting for.
The IEC is a program that allows international youth from over 30 participating countries and territories the opportunity to live and work in Canada for up to two years. Through the IEC program, youth between the ages of 18 and 35 can obtain a work permit without the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The intention behind this is to provide IEC participants the ability to engage in the economic, social, and cultural experiences of Canadian life.
The IEC program has three different categories:
1. Working Holiday
2. Young Professionals
3. International Co-op
Working Holiday
The Working Holiday category is beneficial for individuals who want the freedom to travel and work for multiple employers while in Canada, as participants are issued an open work permit. This category is for you if:
· You do not have a job offer
· You want to work for more than one employer in Canada
· You want to work in more than one location
· You would like to earn some money so that you can travel
As a result of the popularity of this category, Canada has an annual quota for this stream per country. Refer to your country-specific program to better understand your requirements.
Young Professionals
Under the Young Professionals category, participants obtain an employer-specific work permit. This means that qualifying individuals under the Young Professionals category must work for the same employer and in the same location while in Canada. This category is for you if:
· You have a job offer in Canada that counts towards your professional development (the position must be classified as NOC 0, A, or B).
· You will work for the same employer in the same location during your stay in Canada
Under this category, work must be paid and cannot be self-employment.
International Co-op
The International Co-op category is ideal for individuals who are enrolled at a post-secondary institution in their country of citizenship and want to work/intern with a Canadian company as a requirement to complete their studies. To participate, applicants must have received a work placement or internship offer that is required for the completion of their studies. Like the Young Professionals category, successful individuals under the International Co-op category receive an employer-specific work permit, meaning that they must work for the same employer and in the and location while in Canada. This category is for you if:
· You are a student registered at a post-secondary institution
· You have a job offer for a work placement or internship in Canada
· You need to do this work placement or internship to complete your studies
· You will work for the same employer in the same location during your stay in Canada
Participating Countries in the International Experience Canada Program
Each partner country’s program varies in terms of the validity and length of each visa type to apply for a work permit under one of the following three categories.
For further information on partner country requirements and individual eligibility, click here.
International Experience Canada Application Procedure
Once an interested individual determines that their country participates in the IEC program and decides which of the three categories they prefer, there are five steps they must follow:
1. Create Your IEC Profile:
Applicants must first create a profile on the IEC website. Doing so will automatically enter the candidate into the IEC pool for review.
2. Receive Your Invitation to Apply:
If the candidate is selected by the IEC draw (based on the country quota), an Invitation to Apply will be issued and the candidate can proceed to the next step in the process.
3. Accept Your Invitation:
Candidates who receive an Invitation to Apply will have 10 days to decide whether to accept an invitation or not. Once the candidate accepts the invitation, they will be given 20 days to make an online application for a work permit. If the candidate chooses to decline the invitation, they will be placed back into the candidates’ pool for future draws.
4. Apply for Your Work Permit:
After applicants accept their invitation, they must apply for a work permit. Applicants are given 20 days to apply for the work permit. It is important that applicants review all documentation requirements in advance, ensure they pay all necessary fees, and submit their application within the 20-day application deadline.
5. Receive Your Work Permit:
When an application is successful, the applicant will receive a port of entry (POE) letter of introduction in their account. This letter must be provided to a Canadian Boarder Service Agent (CBSA) upon arrival at a port of entry in Canada. The letter acknowledges the applicant’s successful work permit approval and the associated information detailing their valid period of authorization to work in Canada.
Full details and requirements at each stage of the IEC process can be found here.
Contact Us
If you would like support in navigating the International Experience Canada program, please contact out team of experienced immigration lawyers and legal professionals. You can book a consultation by sending an email to reception@migrationlawgroup.com or by calling (416) 203-2899 ext. 30.
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