Navigating the International Experience Canada Program

What is International Experience Canada (IEC)?

International Experience Canada (IEC) is a Government of Canada program that lets eligible young people from partner countries work and travel in Canada. It’s designed to offer international work experience, cultural exchange, and improved knowledge of Canada’s languages (English and/or French).

🇨🇦 List of IEC Partner Countries

Certain countries are eligible for some or all IEC categories (Working Holiday, Young Professionals, International Co-op). Age limits and available categories vary by country.

This is the list of participants' countries: ✅Andorra ✅ Australia ✅ Austria ✅ Belgium ✅ Chile ✅ Costa Rica ✅ Croatia ✅ Czech Republic ✅ Denmark ✅ Estonia ✅ Findland ✅ France ✅ Germany ✅ Greece ✅ Hong Kong ✅ Ireland ✅ Italy ✅ Japan ✅ South Korea ✅ Latvia ✅Lithuania ✅ Luxembourg ✅ Netherlands ✅ New Zealand ✅ Norway ✅Poland ✅ Slovakia ✅Slovenia ✅United Kingdom

Key Benefits of IEC

• International Work & Travel: Opportunity to live and work in Canada, supporting your travels and cultural experience.

• Language Skills: Great chance to improve English or French in a natural, immersive setting.

• Life & Career Growth: A chance to gain international work experience, learn soft skills, build your résumé, and open doors for future immigration or work studies.

How It Works – Main Steps

1. Country Eligibility Check
   You first verify whether your country has a bilateral IEC agreement with Canada.

2. We can assist in creating a Profile
   Eligible participants create a profile in the IEC system.

3. Get Invited
   Once your profile is accepted into a “pool,” you may receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Invitations are issued in "rounds" depending on your country and category.

4. Apply for Permit
   After receiving your Invitation to Apply, we submit your application for a work permit along with the required documents and biometrics.

5. Prepare for Arrival
   Once approved, you get ready to come to Canada. This includes understanding how your permit activates, what you must do on arrival, and any additional requirements.

What to Know & Tips

• Number of Spots / Rounds
  IEC opens in “rounds” per country and category. This means there’s a limited number of participants in each round, so timing matters.

• Processing Fees & Biometrics
  You’ll need to pay the required fees, submit biometrics, and ensure all documents are complete to avoid delays.

• Activate Your Work Permit Correctly
  If you are already in Canada when your Invitation to Apply arrives, there are special rules about how/where your work permit is “activated” (sometimes you may need to exit and re-enter the country).

• If you are not in Canada, you will be assessed at the POE by the immigration officer regarding your eligibility to acquire the work permit.

Why IEC Matters

International Experience Canada offers more than just a job — it’s about experiencing life in Canada, developing professionally and personally, and making networks that span cultures. For many, it’s also a stepping stone toward longer-term opportunities, such as extending a stay, changing immigration status, or applying for permanent residence.

If you are considering applying to IEC, our firm is here to help. We can assist you in:

• Checking if you're eligible

• Preparing your IEC profile & documents

• Navigating the invitation rounds

• Completing your work permit application

• Understanding your rights and responsibilities once in Canada

Contact us to schedule a consultation and find out how IEC might be one of your best routes to working and exploring in Canada.

If you need help to apply for this program, email me at alejandro@mevoyacanada.com