Temporary Residence
International Experience Canada (IEC)
Working holiday and youth mobility programs for citizens of partner countries.
Overview
International Experience Canada (IEC) is a youth mobility arrangement between Canada and a number of partner countries, allowing eligible young adults to live and work in Canada temporarily.
IEC is organized into three categories — Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op (Internship) — each suited to a different kind of work experience, outlined on their own pages.
Eligibility, age limits, and annual quotas are set per partner country and can change, so we confirm current details for your specific country before you create a profile.
Who may consider this: Young adults from IEC partner countries who want to work and travel in Canada.
International Experience Canada (IEC) Programs
International Experience Canada (IEC) contains more than one pathway. Each works a little differently — explore the one that best matches your background.
Working Holiday
Open work permit experience to fund independent travel in Canada.
Suitable for: Young travellers who want an open work permit to support travel around Canada.
Explore
Young Professionals
An employer-specific permit for professional work experience tied to a job offer.
Suitable for: Young professionals with a qualifying job offer contributing to their career development.
Explore
International Co-op (Internship)
A work permit for students completing an internship required by their academic program.
Suitable for: Post-secondary students who need to complete an internship or co-op placement in Canada as part of their studies.
ExploreEligibility Considerations
- Citizenship of a country with an active IEC agreement with Canada
- Meeting the current age range for your country's agreement
- Sufficient funds to support yourself at the start of your stay
- No criminal or medical inadmissibility concerns
- Being selected from the pool for the category you apply to
How It Works
Country & Category Check
We confirm your country's current IEC agreement, age limits, and which category fits your plans.
Pool Profile Creation
You create a profile in the IEC pool for your chosen category or categories.
Invitation to Apply
If selected in a round of invitations, you have a limited window to submit a full application.
Application Preparation
We help prepare the full work permit application once you're invited.
Submission
The complete application is submitted within the invitation deadline.
Government Processing
IRCC processes the application; timelines vary by volume and time of year.
Permit Issuance & Travel
Once approved, you receive your port of entry letter to activate the permit on arrival.
Documents You May Need
Document requirements vary by applicant and pathway — not every applicant needs every item below. We confirm your specific list during an assessment.
- Valid passport from an IEC partner country
- Proof of funds
- Pool profile confirmation
- Invitation to apply (once received)
- Supporting documents specific to your chosen category (see program pages)
Common Issues to Watch For
These are presented to help you prepare, not to cause concern — most are avoidable with careful preparation.
- Missing a country's specific round dates or quota for the year
- An incomplete pool profile that doesn't reflect current information
- Letting the invitation-to-apply deadline lapse
- Applying to the wrong category for your actual plans in Canada
How We Help
- Confirm your country's current IEC terms, age range, and quota status
- Help you choose the right category among the three IEC streams
- Keep your pool profile accurate and ready for an invitation
- Prepare a complete application quickly once you're invited, given the tight deadlines
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply to more than one IEC category?+
In many cases you can create profiles in more than one category if you're eligible for each, improving your chances of an invitation.
How is someone selected from the pool?+
Selection happens through periodic rounds of invitations specific to each country and category, based on current quotas.
Can I extend my stay once I'm working in Canada under IEC?+
IEC permits are generally not extendable beyond their fixed validity, though your individual situation should be assessed directly.
What's the difference between the three IEC categories?+
They're built around different goals — open working holiday experience, a specific professional job offer, or a structured internship/co-op — explained on each program's own page.
The information on this website is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration policies, fees, processing times, and eligibility requirements change frequently. Please verify current requirements with official government sources or a qualified immigration professional before making decisions.