Online Application For International Experience Canada （IEC）

International Experience Canada (IEC) gives youth the opportunity to travel and work in Canada for up to 2 years.

IEC Work Permit Categories

There are 3 different kinds of work and travel experiences available:

1. Working Holiday

This category is for you if

• you don’t have a job offer
• you want to work for more than one employer in Canada
• you want to work in more than one location
• you’d like to earn some money so that you can travel

The type of work permit you get for Working Holiday is an open work permit. This lets you work for almost any employer in Canada (some exceptions apply).

You’ll need to get a medical exam first for some jobs.

2. Young Professionals

This category is for you if

• • you have a job offer in Canada that counts toward your professional development
  • you’ll work for the same employer in the same location during your stay in Canada

Under this category, work must be

• • paid
  • not self-employed

The type of work permit you get in the Young Professionals category is an employer-specific work permit.

Your employer must meet all labour laws in the province or territory where you plan to work, including minimum wage requirements.

The job you’re offered must count toward your “professional development.” To count, the job must be classified under Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) category 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the NOC.

A TEER 4 job may qualify if it’s in your field of study. When you apply, you’ll need to submit your post-secondary

• • diploma
  • certificate or
  • degree

It must be translated into English or French.

3. International Co-op (Internship)

This category is for you if

• • you’re a student registered at a post-secondary institution
  • you have a job offer for a work placement or internship in Canada
  • you need to do this work placement or internship to complete your studies
  • you’ll work for the same employer in the same location during your stay in Canada

The type of work permit you get in the International Co-op (Internship) category is an employer-specific work permit. The internship you’re offered in Canada must be directly linked to your field of studies.

Wages and labour standards must follow the labour laws in the province or territory you will be working in. The labour code of the province or territory will determine if an internship needs to be paid or not.

Example for Working Holiday
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region—Working Holiday
Residents of Hong Kong
You may qualify for special measures to come to Canada, including

• an open work permit for Hong Kong recent graduates
• priority processing

Description: The Working Holiday category is designed for residents of Hong Kong with a valid passport who intend to travel in Canada and who wish to find temporary paid employment to help pay for their trip (up to 12 months).

Note: As a resident of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), you may participate in IEC only once.

To be eligible for the Working Holiday category, you must:

• be a resident of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)
• have a valid HKSAR passport or a valid British National (overseas) passport for the duration of your stay in Canada
  • Your work permit in Canada can’t be valid longer than your passport
• be between the ages of 18 and 30 (inclusive)
• prove you’re a resident of the HKSAR when you apply
  • This means you must give either a residential or mailing address in the HKSAR
• have a minimum of CAN$2,500 to help cover your expenses in Canada
• have health insurance for the duration of your stay
  • You may have to present evidence of this insurance when you enter Canada
• not be inadmissible to Canada
• have, before departure, a round-trip ticket or demonstrate that you’ll have the financial resources to purchase a departure ticket at the end of your authorized stay in Canada
• not be accompanied by dependants
• pay the fees

Note: The cost of living varies depending on where you decide to settle in Canada. Prepare financially by finding out how much it costs to live in the city and province or territory where you plan to stay.

Who can participate?

To participate

• your country or territory of citizenship must have a Youth Mobility Agreement with Canada or
• you may be able to use a “recognized organization”

Some countries only allow you to participate once. Others allow you to participate twice, but in different categories. Because each country is different, it’s important that you check to see if you’re eligible to apply.

Even if you’re issued an invitation to apply, you can’t participate more times than your country allows. After you submit your application, an officer will assess your eligibility, including your past participations. Make sure you read and understand all the requirements before you submit an application.