Express Entry vs International Experience Canada: Key Differences Explained

If you’re thinking about coming to Canada, you’ve probably come across two options: Express Entry and International Experience Canada (IEC). They’re both popular, but they serve very different purposes.

This guide breaks down the core differences so you can figure out which one fits your situation, goals, and timeline.

Let’s start by briefly explaining each option. If you already know what each option is about, you can move to the Side-by-Side Comparison section.

What Express Entry Really Is

Express Entry is not a program; it is Canada’s system for managing permanent residency applications from skilled workers. This platform processes applications under three main streams: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class.

The first step is creating your profile on the IRCC website with information like age, language test scores, education, and work experience. These details are used to calculate your CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) score. This score determines your likelihood of receiving an invitation. If you’re above the cut-off in an invitation round, you get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency in Canada.

It’s competitive and points-based, but the process is clear. The Canadian government aims to process most complete applications within six months. Successful applicants are granted permanent residence in Canada. Check the full details on our Express Entry Guide page.

What International Experience Canada (IEC) Offers

IEC is a temporary work permit program aimed at young people from countries that have a youth mobility agreement with Canada. It’s not about permanent residency; this one’s designed for work, travel, and cultural exchange, usually for 12 to 24 months.

There are three streams:

• Working Holiday category: Open work permit, no job offer or Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) needed. This stream allows you to work for any Canadian employer across Canada.
• Young Professionals category: This category offers an employer-specific work permit. IEC work permit holders in this stream must have job offers from Canadian employers related to their professional background, supporting their professional development.
• International Co-op: Also an employer-specific work permit, meant for students doing internships with a Canadian employer. Applicants must be enrolled at a post-secondary institution in their home country.

You can enter one or multiple IEC pools by submitting a profile. If selected in a round, you get an invitation to apply for an IEC work permit. Most IEC work permits are LMIA-exempt, meaning Canadian employers do not need to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment—a government process to prove no Canadian worker is available for the job—making it easier for Canadian employers to support job offers. For eligibility rules and current openings, check our complete IEC page.

Express Entry vs International Experience Canada: Side-by-Side Comparison

Let’s simplify things, even though both systems use pools and invitation rounds, that’s about where the similarities end. Here’s how the two compare across key categories:

Can You Apply for Both IEC and Express Entry?

Yes, you can submit applications to both the International Experience Canada (IEC) program and the Express Entry system at the same time. These are independent immigration pathways, so applying for one does not impact your eligibility for the other.

This dual approach can be especially helpful. If you’re eligible for IEC, you might receive a temporary open work permit, allowing you to gain Canadian work experience. That experience can then strengthen your Express Entry profile, giving you a better chance of being selected for permanent residency—all while you’re already living and working in Canada.

If you’re selected through IEC first, you can start working in Canada while waiting for your Express Entry profile to be drawn or your permanent residency application to be processed. On the other hand, if you’re invited through Express Entry but not IEC, you may need to wait outside Canada until your permanent residency is approved, unless you have another valid work or study permit.

Applying to both programs—if you’re eligible—is a smart strategy to increase your chances of legally living and working in Canada. For French citizens, in particular, Express Entry may offer added advantages, such as French-speaking draws and extra Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points.

To summarize, combining both pathways can offer flexibility in the short term and a stronger route to permanent residency in the long run.

When Express Entry Makes Sense

Go with Express Entry if:

• You’re ready to settle in Canada permanently.
• You meet the minimum eligibility requirements for one of the federal programs.
• Your CRS score is competitive (right now, a competitive score is above 520) or you have ways to improve it (language test, provincial nomination, etc.). You can use our free CRS score calculator.
• You are a French native speaker with high education credentials, foreign work experience and excellent English language test results.

This is the better option if you’re focused on long-term goals like family sponsorship, owning property, or building a career without a time limit. You’ll find full program criteria and updates on our Express Entry Guide page.

When IEC Is the Better Fit

IEC is ideal if:

• You’re eligible by age and nationality.
• You have just finished your studies, and you are looking to gain some international work experience in Canada.
• You want to experience Canada short term without long paperwork waits
• You’d prefer to test the waters before committing to permanent immigration.

It’s a good option for recent grads, working travelers, or people still figuring out whether Canada is a fit. For a complete list of eligible countries, different streams and elegibility, check the IEC Guide page.

How to Use IEC and Express Entry Strategically

If you qualify for IEC and Express Entry, you don’t have to choose just one. Here’s an example of a strategy you could follow:

1. Submit both profiles under the same IRCC account.
2. If you get into Canada via IEC, start working and adjusting to life here.
3. While you’re here, build a stronger Express Entry profile—improve language scores, gain Canadian work experience, get a job offer, or explore Provincial Nominee options.
4. Once you receive an ITA under Express Entry, apply for PR and—if needed—apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit to stay and work while your PR is being processed.

This path is especially helpful if your CRS score is borderline, and Canadian experience could push you over the top.

So, Which is the Best Choice for You?

There’s no universal “better” choice; Express Entry and IEC serve very different goals. If you’re looking for long-term immigration and meet the criteria, Express Entry is likely the more direct route. 

If you’re under the IEC age limit and want to get here sooner, experience the culture, and work short-term, IEC offers a faster entry point and is the best option for you.

If you’re eligible for both, the smartest move might be doing both, first, get in through IEC, build experience, then pivot to Express Entry when you’re ready.

But if you are still unsure, you can receive personalized guidance by joining our Moving2Canada community, and it is completely free. Find all the information below.

Join the Moving2Canada Community and Find the Best Option for You

If you’re navigating your journey—from IEC to Express Entry or anywhere in between—we invite you to become part of the Moving2Canada community. We’ve built a free, trusted resource hub designed to support newcomers with practical tools, up-to-date guidance, and real-world insights.

At Moving2Canada, we offer everything from application checklists and resume templates to job-matching tools and exclusive partner discounts that can help lower your moving costs. Our goal is to make your transition to Canada smoother, more informed, and a lot less overwhelming.

When you join our community, you’re not just accessing tools, our community receives multiple destination guides, immigration walkthroughs, and settlement planning resources—everything you need to prepare with clarity and confidence. Supported by government funding and reliable partnerships, our content is always free and focused on helping you succeed.

FAQs

Which is the Best option for French Citizens?

If you’re a French citizen considering a move to Canada, you’re in a uniquely advantageous position. France is one of the participating countries in the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, which means French citizens can apply for IEC work permits to live, work, and travel in Canada for a specific period. This is a fantastic way to gain international experience and explore Canadian culture.

But your options don’t stop there. French citizens are also eligible for other Canadian immigration programs, such as the Express Entry system and the Provincial Nominee Program. These programs offer pathways to permanent residency for skilled workers who meet specific eligibility criteria. The Express Entry system, in particular, rewards French-speaking candidates with additional CRS points, making it an attractive option for those with strong language skills.

To make the most of these opportunities, it’s important to understand the difference, application process and requirements for each program. Rebecca, our expert regulated Canadian immigration consultant, wrote a full article about the best option for French Citizens.