IEC Working Holiday Visas

IEC Working Holiday Visa

• What is an IEC work holiday visa?
• Who can apply for an IEC work holiday visa?
• When will the IEC program re-open in 2021?

What is an IEC working holiday visa?

IEC – International Experience Canada is a program that is reciprocated by 30 other countries. It gives people between the ages of 18 – 35 the opportunity to gain valuable work experience without having a job offer.

If you are a young person and want to experience the world but also ‘earn while you learn’ then the IEC program is for you.

You may not have a fully formed plan for yourself and have yet to learn what your strengths are and where your future lies. By participating in the IEC program you get to dip your toe into a much larger pool and gain experience that may otherwise not be available to you.

Thanks to the agreements under the IEC program, work permits are generally easier to get while also being less expensive and tend to be processed fairly quickly unlike other types of work permits.

Once you submit your free online IEC profile you are placed into a pool. If you are a successful candidate then you will be invited to apply for your work permit

Who can apply for an IEC working holiday visa?

The applicant must be between the ages of 18 – 35 but the maximum age is dependent on your country of nationality. The IEC program is available to citizens of countries that have an agreement with Canada that allows you to apply for an IEC work permit.

Some countries allow you to apply twice so it’s important to check the eligibility requirement for your country of citizenship. If you carry dual nationality you may be able to apply using your second passport once your first permit expires.

It’s important to remember that, along with age, there may be other requirements dependent on your country of nationality.

There are 3 categories that you can apply through;

Working Holiday

This option is for applicants who don’t have a job offer and are looking to work with different employers in multiple locations. Possibly traveling between jobs.

• You would receive an Open Work Permit.

Young Professionals

This is for applicants with a job offer and who fully expect to work with the same employer for the duration of their time in Canada as a paid employee that is not self-employed.

• You would receive an employer-specific work permit.

International Co-op (Internship)

If you are an international student registered at a post-secondary institution and are required to partake in an internship or you have a work placement already in place that is integral to the completion of your studies.

• You would receive an employer-specific work permit.

When will the IEC program re-open in 2021?

This is a very good question and there is currently no specific date set.

There have been vague talks of April 2021 but this is yet to be confirmed. We will be updating our website and social media when this happens so the best advice we can give you right now is to be prepared!