Online Application For International Experience Canada （IEC）
If we can’t refund your payment to your credit card, we’ll issue a cheque.
You will not receive a refund if we learn that you misrepresented yourself (gave false information or left out important details).
Submit your complete application
Make sure you’ve:
- filled out all mandatory form fields
- paid your fees and
- included readable colour scans of all the supporting documents
The system will not let you submit the application unless all required documents are included. Use the Document Checklist to make sure you don’t forget anything. If you can’t get a police certificate or medical exam before the deadline to submit your work application, you can submit proof that you have:
- requested a police certificate or
- made an appointment for a medical exam
This won’t affect the decision an officer will make when processing your application, but your application may take longer than the advertised processing service level agreements to process.
Once you submit your application, we’ll verify that:
- all the information you gave us is true
- you’re eligible to work in Canada and
- you’re admissible to Canada
If you’re eligible, we’ll send you a message in your account and tell you what to do next.
Give your biometrics
In most cases, you now need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) after you apply. Find out where the biometrics stage fits in the application process.
If you’ve already given your biometrics, they may still be valid.
You can check if your biometrics are still valid and when they expire by using the Check Status Tool.
If you need to give your biometrics
We’ll send you a biometric instruction letter (BIL) to explain how to give your biometrics. After you pay all your fees and submit your application, you’ll get the BIL in your account message box within 24 hours. It tells you how and where to give your biometrics.
- You have up to 30 days to give your biometrics.
- You have to give your biometrics in person.
- You must bring your BIL to 1 of the official collection service locations.
- We recommend that you book an appointment as soon as you receive your BIL, so you don’t have any problems.
Temporary changes to biometrics
Book your biometric appointment as soon as you can to avoid processing delays.
If you can’t book an appointment by the deadline on your biometric instruction letter, there may be measures in place to help you.
If you haven’t paid the biometrics fee, we’ll send you a letter asking you to do this first. You’ll get the BIL only if you’ve paid the biometrics fee.
Find out more about how to give your biometrics and where to give your biometrics.
If you’re outside Canada
You can go to the location closest to you. It doesn’t have to be in your country of residence.
Collection service locations include:
- visa application centres (VACs) around the world
- Application Support Centres (ASCs) in the United States (U.S.)
- These are available only if you’re already legally in the U.S.
- temporary collection locations in Europe
Find a biometrics collection point close to you.
If you’re already in Canada
As a temporary measure due to COVID-19, you don’t need to give biometrics if you’re
- in Canada and
- applying for IEC or you have an application in progress
This means you don’t need to pay the biometrics fee. If you already have, it will automatically be refunded once your application is finalized.
This exemption does not apply if you’re outside Canada.
If you need an extension
There may be factors outside your control that prevent you from giving your biometrics within 30 days. For example, the VAC may not have any appointments within your 30 day time frame. In this case, you can request an extension to give your biometrics.
You cannot request an extension because:
- you have to work
- you’re waiting for cheaper flights
- you’re travelling or have vacation plans
- the biometric collection point is too far
- there are other factors in your control
How to request an extension
Send us a request using an IRCC web form. You must choose “International Experience Canada” from the drop-down menu. If you don’t, your request won’t be assessed.
Include proof with your request. For example, if the VAC doesn’t have any appointments within your 30 day time frame, you should attach a screenshot of the available appointments of the VAC.
We assess extension requests on a case-by-case basis. If your extension request is approved, you won’t get a confirmation email. Instead, you’ll get a new BIL in your account.
