Citizens of countries with a bilateral Youth Mobility Arrangement with Canada who are between the ages of 18 and 35 may be eligible for IEC work permits.
The IEC program is composed of three categories:
Participants in this program can receive an open work permit, valid for one to two years. Open work permits allow participants to work anywhere in Canada for almost any Canadian employer. Nationals of some countries may be allowed to stay in Canada for more or less than one year.
This category is for individuals who:
Under this program, citizens of participating countries can gain valuable international experience by working for a Canadian company. Applicants to this category receive an employer-specific work permit if approved.
This category is for individuals who:
A signed job offer letter or contract of employment with a Canadian employer related to the applicant’s professional development is required before applying. The job offered must be classified as a National Occupation Code (NOC) Skill Type Level 0, A, or B.
This program allows citizens of participating countries who are enrolled at a post-secondary institution in their country of citizenship to spend a period of time interning for Canadian companies. Applicants to this category would receive an employer-specific work permit.
This category is for individuals who:
Participants must arrange co-op placements with Canadian employers before applying.
An employer-specific work permit is a work permit that indicates the name of foreign worker’s employer, occupation, work location, along with the duration of the authorized period of work.
The IEC may allow Young Professionals and International Co-op internship candidates to work for the same employer in different locations. In order to do so, the different locations of the Canadian business must be operating under the same Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number, and addresses of the work locations, along with the CRA number, must be provided at the time the Offer of Employment is submitted. Further, it is critical that the occupation, duties and wages remain consistent from one location to another.
Young Professionals or International Co-op Internship applicants are required to maintain employment in Canada that is relevant to their studies, training or professional experience.
In some cases, Young Professionals or International Co-op Interns holding employer-specific work permits may request a change of employer. Prior to submitting a new work permit application, the participant must, as part of its request for a change of employer, provide the required documentation regarding the new employer and occupation. Additionally, the participant must be prepared to provide a justification, which may include reasons such as company closure. The decision to approve such a request is at the discretion of the case processing agent.
Should a change be requested after the initial work permit has been issued and during a participant’s stay in Canada, the authorized period of work will, in accordance with bilateral agreement/arrangement, be reduced by the amount of time that has already elapsed.
Candidates must:
Please note that specific age and eligibility requirements may vary by country.
The IEC operates on an Expression of Interest/Invitation to Apply model. Eligible candidates create an IEC profile, but must receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) before they may submit an application.
The following is a chronological step-by-step overview of how the IEC program works:
Although no work permit extensions are authorized under the IEC program, there are certain scenarios that allow participants to increase the validity of an IEC work permit.
The validity/length of each visa type is specified in the three central columns and will depend on the nationality of the applicant and the visa type that he or she has applied for.
Country | Working Holiday | Young Professionals | International Co-op | Age Limit |
---|---|---|---|---|
Australia | Up to 24 months | Up to 24 months | Up to 12 months (unless it is the applicant’s second participation since 2015, in which case, 12 months) | 18-35 |
Austria | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | Up to 6 months (internship or work placement must be in forestry, agriculture, or tourism) | 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 |
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 | 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 6 month work permit – may apply to stay an additional 6 months as a visitor | N/A | N/A | 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 |
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 (starting in 2019 EIC season) | 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 |
United Kingdom | Up to 24 months | N/A | N/A | 18-30 |
*Citizens can participate in special IEC student summer job initiatives exclusive to their country.
NOTE: Canada’s bilateral Youth Mobility Arrangements with Mexico and Ukraine are currently under review and Invitations to Apply for an IEC permit are not being issued at this time.