Step-by-step guide to IEC Canada applications — Working Holiday, Young Professionals and International Co-op permits

How long will it take to hear from IRCC with a final decision?

The official processing time for IEC permit applications is eight weeks. However, it varies from application to application. You can check the average processing time for your application here.

During this time, IRCC will:

• Review your application to make sure you are eligible for the permit you applied for.
• Review your application to make sure it’s complete.
• Request submission of any missing documents if your application is incomplete.
• Decide if you are allowed to come to or stay in Canada if your application is complete.

Check your account regularly for new messages (you should receive an email notifying you of a new message, but these emails don’t always come through on time!). You do not want to miss any correspondence, especially if IRCC are requesting extra information. If you fail to submit the information they request in time, your application will be refused.

If your application is incomplete: Request for additional documents

If your application is deemed incomplete, IRCC will ask for you to submit the additional information. Typically, additional documents requested include:

• Missing police certificates
• Proof of a medical exam (e.g. if you only uploaded the proof of appointment so far)
• Form IMM5257 — Schedule 1 (if you left a gap on your work/education details or CV—more on this below)

You’ll receive a message from IRCC with instructions on what exactly they need you to submit and when by. You can’t receive a decision (approval or refusal) on your application until you have provided the additional documents.

Once you have submitted the requested information, the processing time (average of eight weeks) will start again. If you fail to submit the additional information by the deadline, your application will be refused and you will need to join the pools again.

Once you’ve uploaded the requested documents, you must click “Next” and “Submit” to complete the process. If you upload the documents but fail to actually submit them in time, your application will be refused.

The IMM5257 — Schedule 1 form

This is a common form that IRCC requests if they are unsure of your whereabouts at any point from your 18th birthday to the time of applying. This happens when you leave any gaps in your work/education details or on your CV.

IRCC will inform you of the timeframe they need you to clarify on the IMM5257 form. You will complete Section 8 (previous travel) for the period of time that IRCC requests.

You must add your whereabouts during the requested timeframe with no gaps. This includes any holidays taken during that period (even if you were only travelling for short periods) and any time spent at home.

If you need to add more rows than is available on the IMM5257 form, you can write on another sheet of paper and submit the extra page(s) to IRCC via the web form.

If your application is complete

At the end of the application process, you’ll receive a new message in your account. You’ll experience one of two outcomes:

• • Your application is approved: You will be issued a Port of Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction confirming you have been pre-approved for an IEC permit (congrats!).
  • Your application is refused: If you are still eligible, you can join the pools and hope to receive another Invitation to Apply (ITA). If you were refused because you were deemed ineligible for IEC, you will not be able to try again.

The Port of Entry (POE) letter

If your application is approved, you will receive a Port of Entry (POE) letter. This is sometimes referred to as a Letter of Introduction (LOI) or an “introductory letter”, though POE is the most common term used!

You will also receive a second correspondence letter, which confirms IRCC have received your biometrics. You might receive both letters at once, or you might receive the biometrics confirmation letter immediately after the biometrics appointment, and your POE letter might take several more days to arrive.

When you receive a POE letter, it means you have been pre-approved for your IEC permit. You now need to travel to Canada within 12 months of receiving your POE letter to activate your IEC permit with a border services offer.

If you’re unsure of the expiry date, you can check the “Permit validity” box on your POE letter. You must arrive in Canada prior to this date, otherwise your POE letter will expire and you will have to start the entire application process again.

Young Professionals and International Co-op Internship permit holders may have a set start date for their work/internship contract. You will need to arrive and activate your permit before the contract start date.

Note that your POE letter will use the terminology “work permit”. This is because it is generic wording sent to all applicants. The type of permit you will receive when you activate at the border is the category you applied for (Working Holiday, Young Professionals, International Co-op).

Next steps

Now that you have your POE letter, you can finally get excited and prepare for your trip to Canada!

For more information on the important next steps to take, read:

• The arrivals process and your first steps in Canada
• Your to-do list before going to Canada
• Departure preparation for your working holiday (the full guide)

Plus, check out:

• Our special deals page for discounts on insurance, phone plans, car hire, and more.
• Our dedicated IEC Canada page for tips on job hunting, finding accommodation, travel planning, and everything else you need to know ahead of the big move.

Good luck!