How to prepare for IEC Canada 2024

You may already know what IEC is and if so scroll down to the jump menu to navigate through this page. If you don’t know what IEC is but you want to work and travel in Canada—or even get Canadian permanent residency one day—keep reading.

IEC is actually a program that encompasses three different work permits:

• Working Holiday Visa – the most popular one, allows you to work anywhere for any employer in Canada
• Young Professionals – is a good option if you already have an employer in Canada
• International Co-op – for students who want to work in their field in Canada

Each of the participating countries has its own quotas and eligibility criteria. Some countries allow participants between ages 18 to 30, while others are open to ages 18 to 35. Be sure to check the criteria for your country.

Also, some countries can stay for longer than others. In certain cases, such as Irish citizens, you can stay for a grand total of 24 months in Canada.

With the work experience you gain in Canada, you will not only get an unforgettable experience, you may even be able to qualify for some highly sought-after Canadian immigration programs like Express Entry or the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Now that you have a basic understanding of IEC, check out the rest of this page on how you can prepare for your great Canadian adventure.

Checklist to prepare for IEC Canada 2024

There’s a lot to do when you decide to move to a new country. While it’s a very exciting time, it can also be a stressful time.

When you sign up for a Moving2Canada account, you get a free checklist of all the things you need to do to prepare for your trip. Beyond the steps you need to take to enter the IEC pool and (hopefully!) get invited, we also thought of the nitty gritty details like finding accommodations and choosing a phone plan—plus more that you may not have even thought of.

A Moving2Canada account does not only set you up for success with IEC. You can also use it to help guide you if you are applying for Canadian permanent residence. The Canada Immigration Quiz can help you check your eligibility for more than 20 Canadian immigration programs.

Plus, having an account opens you up to tailored content, job listings, and exclusive offers from our partners. You also have the option to opt in for our newsletter to never miss a Canadian immigration update.

Create a free Moving2Canada account

When is the best time to prepare for IEC Canada 2024?

The IEC 2024 season opened December 11th 2023.

The sooner you enter the IEC pool in the new season— the more chances you have of being invited. Most countries have a limited number of spaces available for youth to come to Canada through IEC, so you will want to get in as soon as possible. Australia is the only country that has an unlimited number of spots for IEC candidates.

Every year, Canada’s immigration department provides quotas for the number of IEC candidates it will accept from each country. The official name of the department is Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, or IRCC for short.

Sometimes IRCC will increase quotas throughout the year depending on a number of factors, such as supply and demand. France, for example, typically has a very high quota that gets filled up pretty fast. So, IRCC has historically increased quotas to France, and other countries, throughout the year.

Want to be the first to find out about the latest Canadian immigration news? Create a free Moving2Canada account and sign up for our newsletter!

What documents do you need to prepare for IEC Canada 2024?

The first step to applying for IEC Canada is to create a profile with IRCC. To do this, you will need to fill out a questionnaire and submit your passport.

If you are invited, you will have 10 days to respond to the application. You will then have 20 days from the date and time you submitted your response to send in all documents.

Given that it may take some time to obtain certain documents, such as police certificates, it is a good idea to start collecting your documents as soon as possible. You want to avoid a situation where you don’t get to apply because you don’t have everything ready before the 20-day deadline.

Some of the documents you may need include:

• Police certificates
• Medical exams
• CV/resume
• Passport
• Digital photo
• Family information
• Electronic Travel Authorization or visitor visa application
• Proof of residency

International Coop applicants will also need proof that their job is linked to their field of study, and proof of school registration.

Young Professionals who are working in an occupation that Canada classifies as TEER category 4 on the National Occupation Classification (NOC) will need to provide proof of their study in that field.

Applicants using recognized organizations may need to provide a copy of the confirmation letter from the organization. If you’re not from an IEC country, you can only come to Canada through IEC by using a recognized organization.

Before you come to Canada, you will also need the following documents and be ready to present them on arrival:

• Proof of financial support
• Proof of private health insurance that covers IEC requirements

Moving2Canada is happy to recommend BestQuote for your IEC health insurance, as they compare the market for policies that cover specific insurance requirements for the IEC program, including repatriation. BestQuote gives IEC candidates confidence that they’re getting the best policy available for their personal needs.

What to expect in IEC 2024?

IEC 2024 opened December 11th, 2023. Effective now, two new countries joining the IEC, in addition to some changes coming for South Korea and the UK.

The two new countries joining the list of participating IEC countries include: Iceland and Finland. Iceland youth ages 18-30 will be eligible to apply as well as Finish youth between ages 18-35.

South Korea, which already has a Working Holiday option, will be adding Young Professionals and International Co-Op programs to its list of IEC programs.

The UK has expanded eligibility to youth 18-35, up from 18-30. In addition, the UK now includes Young Professionals and International Co-Op programs. IEC participants from the UK will also be able to stay in Canada for up to three years.

We can expect Canada to announce the 2024 IEC season in the coming weeks.

Want to be the first to find out about the latest Canadian immigration news? Create a free Moving2Canada account and sign up for our newsletter!