Dreaming of an adventure in Canada? If you're a British passport holder aged 18-35, the International Experience Canada (IEC) program could be your ticket! Here’s what you need to know: - Eligibility: Make sure your passport is valid for the duration of your stay. You can choose from three IEC categories: Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op (Internship). - Application Costs: Expect to pay around CA$365 in fees. You'll also need at least $2,500 in savings, plus an extra $1,000 for a return flight. - Application Process: It involves creating an account, entering a pool, and if selected, completing your application within specific deadlines. - Insurance and Quotas: Proof of medical insurance is mandatory. Each IEC category has specific quotas, so check them early! Ready to start your Canadian adventure? Dive into our full IEC application guide to get all the details you need!Show more
Every year, thousands of young adults from the United Kingdom set off for the adventure of a lifetime in Canada, made possible by IEC.
If you’re between 18 and 35 years old (inclusive) and hold a valid British passport, you could be next—whether you travel solo or with friends!
Although Canada is a popular destination among Brits looking for a working holiday or a gap year, it’s not the only one. See all the countries that have a youth mobility agreement with the United Kingdom.
IEC is short for International Experience Canada. It is the name that the government of Canada has given to the set of youth mobility agreements that it has signed with various countries around the world, one of them being the United Kingdom.
Thanks to IEC, young Brits can live, travel, and work in Canada. In return, young Canadians can also explore the United Kingdom via the UK Youth Mobility Scheme.
As a British passport holder, there are three IEC categories that you can apply for:
Working Holiday: This is an open work permit, which means you don’t need a job offer to apply for it. It allows you to work for any employer you like in Canada for any duration (within your permit’s validity). This is the most flexible and popular IEC category.
Young Professionals: This is a closed work permit, which means that you must first obtain a job offer in your field from an employer in Canada.
International Co-op (Internship): This closed work permit is intended for students who want to do a paid or unpaid internship in Canada.
Brits can participate in IEC twice, each time in any category. For the first participation, you will be granted 24 months. For the second, 12 months.
2. Eligibility criteria
The conditions for eligibility are straightforward. You must:
Be 18-35 years old (inclusive) at the moment of being selected in the IEC lottery pool.
Hold a British passport that is valid for the duration of your desired IEC programme. For example, if you want to go on a 24-month working holiday, your passport must be valid for at least the next 24 months.
If you meet these requirements, you’re eligible for the programme.
3. Know before you apply
Before starting your application, make sure you understand the following:
Fees associated with the application total to approximately CA$365 (IEC participation fee, open work permit fee, biometrics fee).
You must have at least $2,500 in personal savings, plus an extra $1,000 to cover the cost of a return flight (unless already purchased).
Once your application is approved, you must enter Canada within 12 months. Otherwise your permit will expire and you’ll have to restart from scratch.
When entering Canada, you must be prepared to show proof of medical insurance covering the duration of your stay.
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4. Application overview
The application process is similar across IEC categories. Here are the steps at a glance:
Yes. You must be ready to show proof of medical insurance when entering Canada with your Port of Entry letter. It must imperatively cover you for the full duration of your permit, because if you plan to stay for 24 months but only show insurance for 12 months, then your permit will only be issued for 12 months and it will be impossible to request the remaining balance.
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV insurance since 2005—they’ve supported thousands of working holiday makers travelling to Canada and beyond.
Yes. There is a quota for each IEC category. Here are the 2025 quotas for Brits: Working Holiday (9,660), Young Professionals (320), International Co-op (20). You can check the updated quotas here. For the best chances, enter the pool early in the year. Invitations are sent weekly or bi-weekly.
Once you’re 18, you can enter the IEC pool. You can remain in the pool until the day you turn 36, at which point you will automatically be removed, as you would no longer be eligible. As long as you receive an Invitation to Apply prior to your 36th birthday, you can apply as a fully eligible candidate.
Note, however, that the second participation (should you choose to stay a third year) is a brand new application, not an extension or renewal. That means you must meet the age requirement for both participations, not just the first.
Every participant defines their own experience! You get to decide what your time in Canada looks like. For inspiration, check out these interviews with current and former working holiday makers in Canada.
You can only apply if/when you are chosen in the IEC lottery system, so the first step is to enter the IEC pool. Our IEC application guide walks through all the application steps.
Relocating abroad can be intimidating—but we’ve got you covered. We offer free articles and guides on finding housing, work, and more. Everyone on the pvtistes.net team has done a working holiday, so our advice is based on 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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