Why Seek a Canada IEC Work Permit?

• Canada issued 128,574 work permits in the WH, YP, and CO categories until October 15, 2023.
• Canada seeks 485,000 immigrants in 2024 and 500,000 each in 2025 and 2026.
• Quebec seeks 50,000 French-speaking immigrants each in 2024 and 2025.
• Canada has reciprocal bilateral IEC agreements with 37 nations; Finland is the latest.
• IEC processing is done on average of 56 days or 8 weeks.
• IEC allows you to live and work in Canada for 2 years.
• Earn an average salary between CAD 50,000 to 60,000 if qualified.
• In 2024, Canada is to issue between 95000 and 100000 IEC work permits.

International Experience Canada

• International Experience Canada (IEC) Work Permit is a reciprocal agreement that allows youngsters between 18 and 30 or 35 years of age from signatory countries worldwide to live and work in Canada.
• IEC has 3 categories, namely Working Holiday (WH), Young Professionals (YP), and International Co-op (CO).
• The WH category is preferable if you don't have a valid job offer but want to travel while working for different employers at different locations for 12 to 24 months.
• The YP category is preferable if you get a Canadian offer of employment based on your career choices; however, you must work for the same company on this Employer-Specific Work Permit for 6 to 24 months.
• The CO category is preferable if, as a post-secondary school student in your home country, you hold a Canadian internship offer as part of your studies for 6 to 12 months.
• Getting an IEC permit is dependent on you getting an Invitation to Apply.

Working Holiday Visa Canada, Young Professionals, International Co-op

Working Holiday (WH) Visa Canada

• The Working Holiday (WH) Canada Visa are temporary work permit issued to eligible young candidates aged 18 to 30 from the UK under the International Mobility Program.
• An open work Permit, it allows you to travel and work anywhere across Canada for 2 years maximum.
• You can't bring your children with you on a working holiday.

Young Professionals (YP) Work Permit

• The Young Professionals (YP) Work Permit is designed for qualified, UK-based professionals like you who wish to boost their careers.
• You can gain hands-on professional work experience in Canada and improve/boost your resume with international experience.
• You need to have a valid job offer in Canada before arriving in Canada, and as a closed work permit holder, you can only work for the same employer at the same location in Canada for 2 years.

International Co-op (CO)

• International Co-op (CO) is designed for UK students like you who wish to obtain valuable work experience in Canada in their related field of study.
• You need to enroll in a study program in Canada at a Designated Learning Institute (DLI).
• The main goal of CO is to mimic your future career path, making you eligible to apply for similar jobs in the future.
• It is valid till your study permit/time in Canada.

How to Get a Canada IEC Visa?

• Set up a personal account with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) by using a Government of Canada login and a secure password.
• After creating an account, you can select and apply to your preferred candidate category (WH, YP, CO).
• Submit copies of all required documents and upload them as per Document Checklist.
• You must pay the fees and submit your application to register for biometrics at the designated Visa Application Centre (VAC) within 30 days.
• After receiving the "Invitation to Apply," you must accept it within 10 days and apply for an IEC work permit within 20 days.
• Fly off to Canada once the IEC permit is approved.

What are the Benefits of Canada Immigration from the UK with IEC?

Working Holiday (WH)

• Gain valuable work experience.
• Improve your language skills by learning a new language.
• Experience new cultures, customs, and traditions.
• Make new friends and create a lifelong network.
• Gain a new and fresh perspective on work, life, and the world.
• Get an open work permit to get the freedom to work for multiple employers.

Young Professionals (YP)

•  Nurture to develop top-notch leadership qualities.
• Become qualified to get attractive job offers in the future.
• Get coached/mentored by experienced teachers and business leaders. Get invaluable international work experience added to your CV. Engage and expand your professional network opportunities. Get classified in TEER categories 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 to receive a job offer from a Canadian employer.

International Co-op (CO):

• Nurture to develop top-notch leadership qualities.
• Become qualified to get attractive job offers in the future.
• Get coached/mentored by experienced teachers and business leaders.
• Get invaluable international work experience added to your CV.
• Engage and expand your professional network opportunities.
• Get classified in TEER categories 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 to receive a job offer from a Canadian employer.
• Enjoy relaxed work policies with up to 25 paid leaves per year.

Canada IEC Agreements

The following is the list of nations with whom Canada has entered into an agreement for the IEC program including Working Holiday Visa, Young Professionals (YP), and International Co-op (CO).

Country	Working Holiday (WH)	Young Professionals (YP)	International Co-op (CO)	Age Limit (Years)
Andorra	up to 12 months	N/A	N/A	18-30
Australia	up to 24 months	up to 24 months	up to 12 months (if it is the applicant’s 2nd participation since 2015, in such case only)	18-35
Austria	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	up to 6 months (if internship/work placement is in agriculture, forestry, or tourism sectors)	18-35
Belgium	up to 12 months	N/A	N/A	18-30
Chile	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	18-35
Costa Rica	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	18-35
Croatia	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	18-35
Czech Republic	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	18-35
Denmark	up to 12 months	N/A	N/A	18-35
Estonia	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	18-35
France*	up to 24 months	up to 24 months	up to 12 months	18-35
Finland	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	18-35
Germany	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	18-35
Greece	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	18-35
Hong Kong SAR	up to 12 months	N/A	N/A	18-30
Ireland	up to 24 months	up to 24 months	up to 12 months	18-35
Italy	up to ** 12 months	up to ** 12 months	up to 12 months **	18-35
Japan	up to 12 months	N/A	N/A	18-30
Latvia	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	18-35
Lithuania	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	18-35
Luxembourg	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	18-30
Mexico***	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	18-29
Netherlands	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	N/A	18-30
New Zealand	up to 23 months	N/A	N/A	18-35
Norway	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	18-35
Poland	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	18-35
Portugal	up to 24 months	up to 24 months	up to 24 months	18-35
San Marino	up to 12 months	N/A	N/A	18-35
Slovakia	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	18-35
Slovenia	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	18-35
South Korea	up to 12 months	N/A	N/A	18-30
Spain	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	18-35
Sweden	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	18-30
Switzerland	N/A	up to 18 months	up to 12 months	18-35
Taiwan	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	18-35
Ukraine***	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	up to 12 months	18-35
United Kingdom	up to 24 months	N/A	N/A	18-30

• Citizens can join special IEC student summer job initiatives that are exclusive to their country.
• Candidates can participate twice in a 24-month timeframe.
• Canada is not accepting applicants at this time under the Youth Mobility Arrangement between Mexico and Ukraine.

Eligibility Criteria for Canada IEC

General

• Your country must have a reciprocal IEC agreement with Canada.
• You must have a valid passport issued by an IEC-eligible country’s government.
• You must meet the minimum and maximum age limit requirement between 18 - 30 or 35 years. You must have a minimum of CAD 2500 in your bank account to help cover your expenses in Canada.
• You must have health insurance for the entire duration of your stay in Canada to cover your medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation.
• If you have lived at least 6 months or more in a country not featured in the Canada IEC list, you must undergo a medical examination and submit the results alongside the IEC application.

Working Holiday Canada Visa

• You haven't participated in the IEC program before. You are a UK citizen between the ages of 18 and 30.
• You are a UK citizen from the UK or the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey.
• You are a UK citizen and have a valid passport issued by Britain or the Channels Islands of Jersey and Guernsey.
• You have a round-trip ticket or enough finances to buy a return ticket?
• You are not accompanied by any dependents. You have clearance to be admitted into Canada. You have paid all your necessary fees.

Young Professionals:

• You have a signed letter of offer or employment contract from your Canadian employer to work in Canada.
• You have an employment offer in your field of expertise.
• You and your employer have agreed to adhere to your chosen province's wage and labor laws.
• You agree to work full-time for the same employer in the same location during your stay in Canada.
• Your future job in Canada must be classified as National Occupational Classification (NOC) code skill type Level 0, A, or B.

International Co-op (CO):

• You hold a valid Canadian study permit.
• You have enrolled in a study program as a full-time student that requires you to mandatorily work, paid or unpaid, to obtain credits for the program.
• You have a letter from a Canadian DLI that authorizes your work placement and confirms that the work placement is needed as part of the study program.
• As a closed work permit, you can only work in one job and for one employer.
• Your employment can constitute up to 50% of your total study program only.
• Your future job in Canada must be classified as National Occupational Classification (NOC) code skill type Level 0, A, or B.
• You agree to adhere to your chosen province’s wage and labor laws.

What are the Requirements to Get a Canada IEC?

• You have proof of financial support (sufficient funds in your bank account) to cover your expenses at the start of your trip.
• Medical exam, if lived for 6 months in a nation not part of IEC agreement.
• Port of Entry (POE) Letter.
• NOC verification from UK police.
• Complete and detailed CV/resume.
• Valid passport issued with validity till your stay in Canada.
• Digital photo and biometrics as per specification.
• Entire family information must be filled in.
• Electronic Travel Authorization.
• Insurance (medical/travel) for the entire duration of your stay in Canada.
• You are within the prescribed age limit (minimum 18 and maximum 30).
• Invitation to Apply.
• Ticket for your departure from Canada or sufficient funds to buy a ticket at the end of your stay.

Canada IEC Program Visa/Permit Processing Time

Canada IEC visa/permit processing time is on average 56 days or 8 weeks.

Canada IEC Program Visa/Permit Processing Fee

 

Category	Fee (CAD)
General Fee (All Categories)	156
Working Holiday / WH	100 (additional for Open Work Permit)
Youth Professionals / YP	230 (additional)
International Co-op / CO	230 (additional)

 

Note: the payment must be made via credit/debit card.

 

What are the Steps to Apply?

 

• Plan as early as possible.
• Determine your eligibility.
• Fill in the online form to become an IEC Pool candidate.
• Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from IRCC.
• Gather all the necessary verified documents as needed and submit/upload them according to the Document Checklist within the specified time.
• Complete your relevant IEC Work Permit/Visa form.
• Complete payment of the application fee as required.
• Ensure your respective IEC pool is open during your application period, for example, the IEC Working Holiday Visa, the IEC Young Professionals Work Permit, or the IEC International Co-Op Visa.
• Get your IEC Work Permit/Visa and Fly off to Canada.

 

How Y-Axis Can Help You?

 

• We help you identify the best strategy to boost your chances of getting a valid Canada IEC Work Permit/Visa as per your chosen category.
• We advise you on how to do the step-by-step filling of essential documents.
• If you are looking for a PR in Germany, we can help you grab the best job that helps boost your PR chances.
• We help you fill out all application forms.
• Review all your work visa-related documents before submission.
• Get yourself evaluated instantly for free with the Y-Axis immigration point’s calculator here.