 program is back in action for 2024, offering young individuals from partner countries the chance to live and work in Canada.){kind=link}
Canada’s International Experience Canada (IEC) program is back in action for 2024, offering young individuals from partner countries the chance to live and work in Canada. With close to 90,000 spots available across three streams, the IEC provides an excellent opportunity to gain valuable work experience and explore the beauty of Canada.Under the program, applicants may receive a work permit under one of three streams:
- The Working Holiday stream, which grants an Open Work Permit (OWP) for up to two years, allowing holders to work for most employers in Canada, in most industries;
- The Young Professionals stream, which issues an employer-specific (or LMIA-based) work permit for individuals who have a job offer, and plan to work with a single employer in Canada; and
- The International Co-op Internship stream, which allows citizens of participating countries, who are enrolled in a post-secondary program (in their country of citizenship), to enter Canada and intern/work for a specific Canadian company. Applicants must already have arranged co-op placements before applying.
The IEC is a candidate/applicant-based program that operates through a profile submission system. Eligible individuals from partner countries, aged between 18 and 35, can create an IEC profile with Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Candidates are selected based on their profiles and subsequently invited to apply for a work permit. The program offers three streams: Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op Internship.The IEC program allows Canada to address labor shortages in various industries, such as retail, manufacturing, and construction. By welcoming young individuals from partner countries. Canada gains access to a talented and diverse pool of workers. Additionally, the program stimulates the tourism sector while providing Canadian and foreign youth with valuable international work experience. Participants may also become eligible for permanent residency in Canada after gaining sufficient work experience.
Basic Eligibility:
To be eligible for the IEC program, applicants must hold citizenship/passport from one of the 35+ partner countries. They should have a valid passport for the duration of their stay in Canada, be within the eligible age range specified by their nationality, possess the equivalent of $2,500 CAD upon arrival, and be able to obtain health insurance for the duration of their stay. Other requirements include being admissible to Canada, having a round-trip ticket or financial resources for departure, not being accompanied by dependents, and paying the appropriate fees.
IEC 2024 Updates:
The 2024 season of IEC introduces two new countries into the program: Iceland and Finland. The United Kingdom now allows young Britons aged 18-35 to participate twice for a total of 36 months. South Korean participants can now apply for the Young Professionals and International Co-op categories, while Chilean applicants for the International Co-op must be registered in a school in Chile. Ukraine and Canada have signed a bilateral agreement, and the IEC fee has increased to $172 CAD.
It is important to create an IEC profile as soon as possible, as spots are filling up quickly. Start your journey to Canada today and take advantage of this incredible opportunity for personal and professional growth.For more information, reach out to Novus Immigration Services. Licensed as the Regulated Canadian Immigration Law and Consultant Firm by the Bar Council of British Columbia, Canada. Discover more about Canadian Experience Class, Express Entry, PNP, Permanent Residence, and the document checklist.