Dreaming of an adventure down under? Discover how the International Experience Canada (IEC) program makes it possible for young Australians to live, travel, and work in Canada. Here's a quick guide to get you started: - Eligibility: If you're an Australian aged 18-35 with a valid passport, you're good to go! Remember, your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay. - IEC Categories: Choose from Working Holiday, Young Professionals, or International Co-op (Internship). Each offers unique work permit options depending on your plans and career stage. - Application Essentials: Budget for CA$365 in fees and ensure you have at least CA$2,500 in savings. Plus, don't forget about health insurance for the duration of your stay. - Application Process: Start by creating an account on the official IEC website, enter your chosen category's pool, and follow through with the application steps including biometrics and document submission. Ready to embark on your Canadian adventure? Dive into our detailed guide and make your dream a reality!Show more
Every year, thousands of young Australians set off for the adventure of a lifetime in Canada via IEC.
If you’re between 18 and 35 years old (inclusive) and hold a valid Australian passport, you could be next—whether you travel solo or with friends!
Although Canada is one of the top destinations for Aussies looking for a working holiday or gap year, it’s far from the only option. To explore all the countries that have a youth mobility agreement with Australia, click here.
IEC stands for International Experience Canada. It’s the name the Government of Canada gives to the set of youth mobility agreements it has signed with countries around the world—including Australia. Thanks to IEC, young Australians can live, travel, and work in Canada. In return, young Canadians can also come to Australia on a Working Holiday Visa.
As an Australian passport holder, you can apply under one of three IEC categories:
Working Holiday: This is an open work permit, meaning you don’t need a job offer to apply. It allows you to work for any employer in Canada during your stay. This is the most flexible and popular IEC category.
Young Professionals: This is a closed work permit, which requires a job offer in your field from a Canadian employer.
International Co-op (Internship): This closed work permit is intended for students who want to complete a paid or unpaid internship in Canada.
Australians can participate once in either of the first two categories (Working Holiday or Young Professionals, but not both) for up to 24 months. However, you may participate a second time (up to 12 months) under the International Co-op category if you meet its eligibility requirements.
2. Eligibility criteria
The requirements are straightforward. You must:
Be 18–35 years old (inclusive);
Hold an Australian passport that’s valid for the entire duration of your intended IEC program. For example, if you plan a 24-month Working Holiday, your passport must be valid for at least 24 months.
If you meet these criteria, you’re eligible to apply.
3. Before you apply
Before starting your application, keep the following in mind:
The total fees amount to about CA$365 (IEC participation fee, open work permit fee, and biometrics fee).
You must have at least CA$2,500 in personal savings, plus an additional $1,000 to cover the cost of a return flight (unless you’ve already purchased one).
Once approved, you must enter Canada within 12 months. If not, your permit will expire and you’ll need to start over.
When entering Canada, you must be prepared to show proof of medical insurance covering the full duration of your desired IEC permit.
Wise offers pvtistes.net readers their first international transfer—up to £3,000 or the equivalent—free of charge. With a Wise account, you can easily send, receive, and pay in AUD, CAD, and many other currencies.
4. Application overview
The application process is similar across all IEC categories. Here’s an overview of the steps:
Enter the pool for your chosen IEC category and wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA). When you receive one, you’ll have 10 days to accept or decline.
Once you’ve accepted your ITA, you’ll have 20 days to complete your application—this includes answering the required questions and submitting supporting documents.
After submitting your application, upload biometrics within 30 days.
Finally, wait for approval in the form of a Port of Entry (POE) letter, and then make sure to enter Canada within 12 months.
Yes. You must show proof of medical insurance when you enter Canada with your Port of Entry letter. It must cover the entire duration of your stay—if you plan to stay 24 months but only have 12 months of coverage, your work permit will be issued for just 12 months and cannot be extended.
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV insurance since 2005—they’ve supported thousands of working holiday makers travelling to Canada and beyond.
Each participant defines their own experience! You decide what your time in Canada will look like. For inspiration, check out these interviews with current and former working holiday makers in New Zealand.
Relocating abroad can feel daunting—but we’ve got you covered. We offer free articles and guides on housing, work, and more. Everyone on the pvtistes.net team has done a working holiday, so our advice comes from real experience.
I'm a web writer at pvtistes.net. In February 2023 I moved from Vancouver to Paris. Adventures await.
Je suis rédacteur web chez pvtistes.net. En février 2023 j’ai déménagé de Vancouver à Paris. Des aventures m’attendent.
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