Highlights: International Experience Canada program expanded to accept around 90,000 applications
- Canada planning to accept 90,000 applications from 36 partner countries in 2023
- IEC is a pathway to provide international exposure and work experience to immigrants
- The invited candidates will get work permits to work in Canada
- Candidates aged between 18 and 29, 18 and 30, 18 and 35 may be eligible for this program depending on the partner country
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Canada to accept nearly 90,000 applications from immigrants from partner countries
Canada is accepting nearly 90,000 applications from 36 partner countries through the IEC program. IEC is a pathway that helps immigrants to get work experience and international exposure. The applicants can work in Canada by getting a work permit through 3 different streams of IEC.
IRCC is hoping that the expansion of the IEC program will help in dealing with the challenge of skilled workers shortage faced by many sectors, especially tourism.
The table below is the list of 36 countries that have Youth Mobility Agreements with Canada:
| Country | Working Holiday | Young Professionals | International Co-op | Age Limit |
| Andorra | Up to 12 months | N/A | N/A | 18-30 |
| 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 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 |
Working of IEC
Candidates who are citizens of 36 partner countries and are in the age range of 18-29, 18-30, and 18-35 may qualify for the IEC program. The age range depends on the country to which applicants belong. There are three streams of IEC described below under which applications can be sent:
-
Working Holiday Stream
This is a stream through which applicants can get open work permits whose validity will be 2 years. Visa holders have the opportunity to work in any part of Canada and with any employer.
-
Young Professionals Stream
Candidates get employer-specific work permits under this stream. Individuals having a job offer are eligible to apply. Immigrants have to work with a single employer after getting a work permit.
-
International Co-op Internship Stream
This stream allows the citizens of the partner countries to get internship for a particular company in Canada. The program works on the EOI/ITA model. Applicants need to create a candidacy profile in the IEC pool. If applicants are chosen, they receive an invitation to apply for a Canada work permit.
Eligibility for the IEC program
Candidates should
- Be a valid passport holder or citizen of 36 partner countries having Youth Mobility Agreements with Canada
- Be in eligible age range
- Have around CAD 2,500 after arriving in Canada
- Have a departure ticket
- Not come with dependents
- Pay the required fee
Planning to migrate to Canada? Talk to Y-Axis, the world’s no. 1 overseas immigration consultant.
Canada creates an all-time record, admits 431,645 permanent residents in 2022
Also Read: 1+ Million Job Vacancies in Canada, StatCan Report
Web Story: Apply now to get a work permit in Canada; IEC program expects foreign nationals for 2023 pool