As on March 1, 2021, the International Experience Canada [IEC] pool for the 2021 season has been opened for applicants.
In order to enter the IEC pool, the individual must generally be between the ages of 18 and 35, and must be citizens of foreign countries that have a reciprocal agreement with Canada.
| Once a candidate enters the IEC pool and is issued an invitation to apply, the next step would be to apply for a Canadian work permit.
Work permits under the IEC do not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment [LMIA].
Categories under the International Experience Canada program – · Young Professionals · International Co-op [Internship] · Working Holiday
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada [IRCC], “Only IEC participants with a Port of Entry Letter of Introduction and a valid job offer are eligible to travel to Canada right now.”
The individual must also be able to start with their job in Canada as soon as they complete their mandatory quarantine.
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Generally, to be eligible for the IEC, the candidate’s country/territory of citizenship must have an agreement with Canada, allowing them to apply for an IEC work permit.
| Countries eligible for Canada’s IEC | |||||
| Australia | Austria | Belgium | Canada | Chile | Costa Rica |
| Croatia | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | France | Germany |
| Greece | Hong Kong | Ireland | Italy | Japan | Korea [Rep.] |
| Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Mexico | Netherlands | New Zealand |
| Norway | Poland | Portugal | San Marino | Slovakia | Slovenia |
| Spain | Sweden | Switzerland | Taiwan | Ukraine | UK |
Qualifying candidates must meet the eligibility requirements for their specific country/territory of citizenship as well as the pool applying for.
While certain countries allow a candidate to participate once, other countries allow candidates to participate twice, but in different IEC pools.
| IEC – Online Application Process |
| STEP 1: Completion of “Come to Canada” questionnaire, getting personal reference code. |
| STEP 2: Creation of IRCC account. For beginning application, select “Apply to come to Canada” using personal reference code. |
| STEP 3: Submission of profile and selecting the IEC pool that the candidate intends being in. |
| STEP 4: If an invitation to apply received [via online account], 10 days available for beginning IEC application. |
| STEP 5: On starting Canada work permit application, 20 days available for completing and submitting the application and paying the appropriate fees. |
| STEP 6: During that 20-day period, the Canadian employer is to submit CAD 230 employer compliance fee [through the Employer Portal]. |
| STEP 7: The employer to send an “offer of employment number”. This will be required for applying for work permit for Canada. |
| STEP 8: Uploading all supporting documentation. |
| STEP 9: Payment of CAD 156 as participation fee via a credit card online through IRCC account. |
| STEP 10: If needed, a Biometrics Instruction Letter [BIL] to be sent. 30 days available for candidate to enrol their biometrics at a Visa Application Centre [VAC]. |
| STEP 11: Work permit application assessment. This might take up to 56 days. Additional documents might be asked for, if required. |
| STEP 12: Last chance for candidate to withdraw from IEC and obtain refunds. |
| STEP 13: IRCC to send a Port of Entry Letter to the applicant via their online account. |
| STEP 14: Before travelling to Canada, the candidate must be aware of quarantine measures for COVID-19 and download the ArriveCAN app for providing mandatory travel information. |
