Recognized Organizations in Canada (SWAP, Languages Canada…)

Recognized Organizations in Canada (SWAP, Languages Canada…)

What are recognized organizations, and what are they for?

Benefit #1 – Recognized Organizations (ROs) approved by Canada allow you to obtain an International Experience Canada (IEC) permit without going through the traditional rounds of invitations (which correspond, for the Working Holiday Permit, to random draws).

Benefit #2 – They allow you to receive the same IEC permit twice or to combine two IEC permits that normally cannot be combined.

Benefit #3 – Candidates who normally can only apply for the Canada Working Holiday until age 30: through an RO, you can benefit from it up to age 35.

ROs have a limited number of spots each year: there aren’t enough for everyone, and they quite quickly set up waitlists.

Which organizations are recognized?

Here is the list of the 8 Recognized Organizations (ROs) authorized by Canada to issue International Experience Canada (IEC) permits:

• Languages Canada: Between €4,000 and €5,000 to cover the mandatory 3 months of French or English courses required for the Working Holiday obtained through this organization.
• SWAP: CA$1,700. Can issue either a first or second Canada Working Holiday or a first or second Young Professionals permit.
  SWAP has a subsidiary called JENZA, which does not appear on the list of recognized organizations. It is assumed that SWAP subcontracts client application processing to JENZA.
  SWAP has announced that registration for its waitlist will be open only from December 16, 2025 at 12 p.m. Eastern Time (6 p.m. in France/Belgium) to December 17, 2025 at 11:59 a.m. and that they will select candidates randomly. They cannot select candidates by order of registration because hundreds, if not thousands, of people will sign up at the same time.
• StepWest: from $1,190. Can issue either a first or second Working Holiday or a first or second Young Professionals permit. (Their waitlist for IEC 2026 is already closed due to a high number of registrations.)
• Go International: CA$3,399.
• AIESEC: offers Young Professionals permits only, for applicants aged 18 to 30.
• IIN: $3,500. Offers Working Holiday permits and International Co-op (Internship) permits. Their waitlist for the 2026 season will open in December 2025.
• IAESTE: CA$1,350 (+13% tax). Offers only International Co-op and Young Professionals permits, not Working Holiday permits.
• A-Way to Work: price not listed. The organization specializes in agricultural jobs.