International Experience Canada (IEC)
Work and Travel in Canada
International Experience Canada (IEC) allows young people from over 35 partner countries to work and travel in Canada temporarily. Depending on your country of citizenship, you can stay for up to 1–2 years on a Canadian work permit while gaining professional experience and exploring the country.
IEC offers three main categories:
- Working Holiday – open work permit, most flexible
- Young Professionals – employer-specific work permit for skilled roles
- International Co-op (Internship) – employer-specific work permit for students who must complete a mandatory internship or work placement as part of their study program
Visa4you assesses your eligibility, identifies the right category, and manages the entire process—from entering the pool to receiving your invitation and submitting your work permit application.
What Is the International Experience Canada Program?
International Experience Canada (IEC) is a temporary work-and-travel program based on bilateral youth mobility agreements between Canada and participating countries. It allows young people between the age of 18–35 (exact age range varies by country) to obtain a Canadian work permit under one of three categories: Working Holiday, Young Professionals, or International Co-op.
Participation is limited to citizens of partner countries or territories, or those applying through a Recognized Organization. Most countries allow one or two participations, sometimes across different categories. IEC operates on annual seasons with application pools and invitation rounds, subject to yearly quotas for each country and category.
IEC Categories – Working Holiday, Young Professionals & Co-op
Working Holiday
Type of permit: Open work permit, you can work for almost any employer in Canada.
- Ideal for travellers who value flexibility
- Perfect for seasonal work (ski resorts, farming, hospitality, tourism)
- Suitable for applicants without a pre-arranged job offer
Young Professionals
Type of permit: Employer-specific work permit for skilled positions that support your professional development.
Ideal for young professionals with a Canadian job offer in a skilled occupation.
International Co-op (Internship)
Type of permit: Employer-specific permit for mandatory internships or co-op placements.
Best suited for students who are required to complete a program-related internship to graduate.
Who Is Eligible for the International Experience Canada Program?
To participate in the IEC Program, you generally need to:
- Be a citizen of a partner country with a valid passport (or use a Recognized Organization if your country has no agreement)
- Be within the age range specified in your country’s agreement
- Have proof of access to at least CAD $2,500 on arrival to support yourself initially
- Have health insurance for the duration of your stay
- Be admissible to Canada
Some countries allow one participation, others allow two or more (often in different categories).
Visa4you provides clear guidance on country-specific requirements, age limits, and available category options
Application Process
1
Creation of an IEC Profile & Invitation rounds
Visa4you will create and submit your profile to the pool. Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducts regular draws throughout the IEC season, inviting candidates from each pool to apply for a work permit.
2
Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
Once an invitation is received, Visa4you will prepare your complete work permit application, sending you a personalized checklist. There are strict deadlines, which we will inform you about and manage in your file.
3
Online Submission & Biometrics
After gathering all documents and submission of the application, you'll receive instructions to make an appointment at a Visa Application Center (VAC) to provide your fingerprints. After this step, your application will move forward.
4
Decision Rendered
IRCC assesses your application and issues a Port of Entry (POE) letter of introduction once approved. This letter will be valid for 12 months, during which you must activate your work permit. Visa4you will provide you with tips and information to prepare for your travels.
What opportunities does an IEC work permit offer?
Depending on your category, an IEC permit allows you to:
- Work in Canada
- Working Holiday: Employment with nearly any employer, in most occupations, across Canada (open work permit).
- Young Professionals/Co-op: only for the employer and position specified in your work permit.
- Explore Canada from coast to coast.
- Gain Canadian work experience.
From International Experience to Permanent Residency?
The IEC is a temporary program, but the work experience gained can be valuable for a future PR application:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC) – If your work experience falls under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3, it can count toward the CEC program.
- Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) – Canadian work experience can earn you additional points.
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) – Many PNPs require work experience in the province, so IEC experience can be an advantage here as well.
IEC doesn’t guarantee PR, but it can be a strong step toward PR. If you decide you want to stay in Canada long-term, Visa4you can help you create the right strategy and guide you through the process to PR.
Why Choose Visa4you for IEC?
- Focused on Canada – We stay up to date on the IEC program, quotas, fee changes and invitation trends.
- Country-specific insights – We can help you determine if your country of origin is eligible for the IEC program.
- Complete Visa Support – From initial assessment to final submission, we’ve got you covered.
- Strategy beyond the work permit – We outline your options so you can make informed decisions about future applications.
- Multilingual service – Consultations in English, German and Dutch, online or in our office.
Frequently Asked Questions
International Experience Canada is a work-and-travel program that gives citizens of partner countries (ages 18–35) the opportunity to apply for a temporary work permit to live, work and travel in Canada through the Working Holiday, Young Professionals or International Co-op categories.
Most IEC work permits are valid for up to 1 or 2 years, depending on your country’s agreement and category.
It depends on your country. Some allow only one participation, others allow two or more, often in different categories (e.g., first Working Holiday, then Young Professionals).
- Working Holiday: no job offer needed.
- Young Professionals & Co-op: yes, you need a job offer or internship offer that meets program criteria.
The IEC program runs each year according to specific start and end dates.
Ready for Your International Experience Canada Adventure?
Are you between 18 and 30/35 years old and want to work and travel in Canada? International Experience Canada could be your perfect starting point.
Share your age, nationality, education, work experience, and preferred start date with us. We’ll assess your eligibility, recommend the most suitable IEC category, and show you how to turn your Canadian experience into a long-term opportunity.
