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IEC Canada stands for International Experience Canada, a program run by the Government of Canada that allows young people from around the world to work and travel in Canada for up to two years. It’s also open to Canadian youth who want to work and travel abroad.
IEC offers three main categories of work permits:
Compare all three categories in our article: “Which IEC Category is Right for You?” to determine which one suits you best. You can also read the full guide for each category here:
The most popular IEC program, the Working Holiday, allows you to live and work anywhere in Canada.
For youth who obtain eligible job offers from Canadian employers.
Students can obtain work experience in Canada related to their field of study.
You are eligible to participate in the IEC program if:
Get immigration updates & new resources to help you move to Canada and succeed after arrival.
Applying for the International Experience Canada (IEC) program involves several key steps. Here’s a breakdown of the process to help you navigate your application smoothly:
Start by creating an account on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. Once registered, you’ll need to complete your IEC profile with personal details, your country of citizenship, and the category you’re applying for (e.g., Working Holiday, Young Professionals, or International Co-op).
After submitting your profile, you’ll be entered into a pool of candidates for your selected category. Each country and category has its own pool, and you can only be in one at a time per season.
If you’re selected from the pool, you’ll receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Your chances of getting an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for an IEC work permit can vary each week. These fluctuations depend on factors like the number of applicants from your country currently in the pool and how close the program is to reaching its annual limit.
Check out our IEC tracking tool to view the latest updates on your likelihood of receiving an ITA. Invitations are issued in rounds throughout the year. During this period, invitations will be sent every week, so keep an eye on your account. Check our IEC Draws and News page to follow closely every draw
Once you have received and accepted your ITA, you’ll need to:
Make sure to submit everything within the deadline—usually 20 days from the date you accept your ITA.
If your application is approved, you’ll receive a Port of Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction. This is not your work permit, but you’ll need to present it when you arrive in Canada to activate your permit.
✅ Pro Tip: Bring all supporting documents with you when entering Canada, including proof of funds and health insurance.
The IEC-recognized organizations (ROs) are Canadian organizations approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to assist individuals taking part in the IEC program. These organizations may offer services such as help with securing a job, arranging accommodation, or providing travel support before and during your stay in Canada. Some ROs focus on particular types of experiences, including internships, volunteering, or seasonal work.
Participation through a recognized organization is optional for citizens of countries with a youth mobility agreement with Canada. However, since these services can cost upwards of $4,000, many participants feel the benefits do not justify the expense.
However, for individuals from countries without such an agreement, applying through an RO is the only way to participate in the IEC program. In these cases, applicants must include documentation from the RO when submitting their work permit application.
It may make sense to apply well in advance of your intended travel dates. Find out here.
Take some stress out of your IEC application ensuring you avoid these common errors.
Tips and tricks for applying to IEC with your partner or friends.
Before you can receive your work permit under the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, you’ll need to gather and submit several important documents. These documents help verify your identity, eligibility, and readiness to travel and work in Canada.
Here’s a checklist based on the official IRCC guidelines:
Important Note: In addition to the general documents listed above, each IEC Canada program category—Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op—may require additional documents specific to your country of residence and the type of work permit you’re applying for. Please make sure to thoroughly review the document checklist provided for the category you selected.
Join our community today and access a personalized checklist for your IEC application! Click here: Join the Moving2Canada Community
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Most documents have to be uploaded with your initial application, but in some cases you can upload documents after.
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After your application is processed, you typically have one year to enter Canada and activate your work permit. This is a good time to prepare for your arrival as an IEC permit holder.
If your application is successful, you will receive a Port of Entry, or POE, letter of introduction. This is the document you’ll present to an immigration official at an airport, ferry port, or land border in Canada to receive your IEC Canada work permit.
The POE Letter indicates the exact date by which you must enter Canada.
Important Note: POE letters cannot be extended!
IEC participants only require the following to enter Canada:
Be prepared to provide the address where you’ll be spending your first few nights in Canada. This could be a friend’s house, or a hostel, if you don’t yet have your own long-term accommodation sorted.
Foreign workers, including IEC participants, from Canada visa-exempt countries will automatically be issued an eTA, along with their Port of Entry Letter of Introduction. Check your letter to ensure it mentions approval of your eTA before you depart, because you need this to board your flight to Canada. The eTA is electronically linked to your passport, so if you have changed your passport since receiving your POE Letter of Introduction, you need to apply for a new ETA.
There is only one country within the IEC program that is not currently visa-exempt: Costa Rica. If you’re an applicant from Costa Rica, a different sort of visa will be required, approval for which should be clear on your POE Letter of Introduction.
Yes, you may exit and re-enter Canada as often as you please. You will need to ensure that your health insurance policy permits this.
Make sure you bring your passport and work permit with you so you can present them when you return to Canada.
Yes, but only for up to six months.
You are allowed to enroll in individual courses under any of the IEC categories (Working Holiday, Young Professionals, International Co-op). The course(s) must be completed within a six-month period. The course(s) also must not be part of a program lasting longer than six months, such as a two-year program or four-year degree. If the course or program is longer than six months, you will need to apply for a study permit.
It is possible to be self-employed on your Working Holiday, but you have to follow certain rules.
In most cases, you can’t extend an IEC work permit. These are the rare exceptions where you can.
Want to stay in Canada after your IEC work permit ends? These are your options.
Maintained status allows certain workers to continue working while a new work permit is being processed. Learn more.
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