What is International Experience Canada (IEC)?

International Experience Canada (IEC) is a Government of Canada program designed to give 18-35 year-old travellers from over 30 selected countries the opportunity to work in Canada. However, this is a bilateral agreement, which means young Canadians can also work and travel to one of these partner countries. Read more.

There are three IEC work permit categories:

• Working Holiday permit (often referred to as the “WHP”): This flexible open work permit gives you the chance to travel and work in Canada for up to one or two years (depending on your country of citizenship). You do not need to find a job before applying for it and you can work for any employer for as long as you want. For more info, read Introduction to the Canadian Working Holiday Program.

• Young Professionals (“YP”): This employer-specific work permit gives you the opportunity to gain valuable work experience in Canada for up to one or two years (depending on your country of citizenship). You need to have a job offer in Canada before applying for the work permit. For more info, read Work experience in Canada: the Young Professionals work permit!

• International Co-op (Internship): This work permit gives you the chance to complete a six-month, one-year or two-year (depending on your country of citizenship) internship in Canada. The internship must be linked to your field of studies and you need to find a suitable employer before your trip. For more info, read The International Co-op (Internship) IEC work permit.

Am I eligible to apply for an IEC work permit?

Canada signed a bilateral agreement with 35 countries. Eligibility and conditions vary from one country to another:

• Some countries only signed an agreement for one or two of the three work permits highlighted above.
• The age limit can be 30 or 35.
• The work permit can be issued for six months, one year or two years.

Here is a summary:

What are the general eligibility requirements?

• Your country or territory of citizenship must have an agreement with Canada.
• You must have a valid passport from an IEC-eligible country.
• You must meet the minimum and maximum age requirement (18-30 or 18-35).
• You may have to prove you’re a resident in your country when you apply.
• You must have a minimum of CAN$2,500 to help cover your expenses in Canada.
• You must have health insurance for the duration of your stay (for more info, read WHV Insurance!).

Useful links and resources

There’s only one official website to apply for an IEC work permit—the Government of Canada website: Canada.ca/iec-international.

Pvtistes.net has you covered with:

• A Step-By-Step Tutorial to apply to IEC Work Permits with screenshots and detailed info.

• The free Guide to Working Holiday in Canada, a 300-page PDF guide packed with pre-trip info, practical advice for the adventure and useful tips to discover life in Canada.

• Member benefits, special offers and discounts—including an extra 23 kg of checked luggage for free with Air Transat, no-fee banking with Desjardins and National Bank of Canada, car rental discounts (Hertz, Thrifty and Dollar), money transfer services and more.