IEC Work Permit for US Citizens
Studying or Working Through the International Experience Class (IEC) Mobility Program
Canada and the United States currently do not have a bilateral agreement to facilitate youth mobility such as in place between Canada and Ireland, UK, and many others. However, both U.S. citizens and permanent residents may apply to programs to move to Canada through one of the International Experience (IEC) programs, to either study or work.
The process consists of applicants creating a candidate profile online, which is then entered in one or multiple programs or “pools”. Candidates receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in “rounds” to each country/category. (At the end of each season, the profiles are removed from the pool). Once an ITA is received, the American candidate needs to apply for the appropriate work permit.
Recognized Organizations (ROs) are agencies who provide applicants with support in finding an opportunity to study and/or work in Canada, facilitating travel and securing accommodations. These organizations assist American applicants to submit a candidate profile for one or multiple programs. Since the positions for these programs are LMIA exempt, once an ITA is received, the candidate just needs to apply for the appropriate work permit.
Work permits can be applied for online through the IRCC account (recommended). If the applicant has a valid Invitation to Apply letter and a copy of the confirmation letter from the RO, Americans and legal Permanent Residents of the U.S. can also apply for their permit at a Port of Entry (POE).
The IEC programs that ROs assist American citizens and legal Permanent Residents with are the following three:
1) The Working Holiday Program
2) The Young Professionals Program
3) The International Co-op (Internship) Program
Note: While the International Co-op (Internship) Program is a study-based program, the Young Professional and Working Holiday programs are work-based.
1) The Working Holiday Program is available for Americans between the ages of 18 and 35. The program facilitates applicants who want to travel to Canada to gain temporary employment to help pay for their trip (up to 12 months). For U.S. citizens, the following criteria apply:
- must be an American citizen or legal Permanent Resident;
- must have a valid passport (American or other if Permanent U.S. Resident) for the time in Canada;
- must between 18 and 35 (inclusive) years of age;
- must have a minimum of $2,500 (CAD) to pay for expenses while in Canada;
- must have valid health insurance for the entire term in Canada (upon entry into Canada, might have to give evidence of this insurance);
- must not be inadmissible to Canada;
- must have, before departure, a round-trip ticket or demonstrate having the financial resources to purchase a departure ticket at the end of the authorized time in Canada;
- must not be accompanied by dependants; and
- must have paid all applicable the fees.
For this program an Open Work Permit is required.
2) The Young Professionals Program allows post-secondary graduates from the U.S. to further their careers through Canadian professional work experience in the applicant’s field of expertise through schooling or work experience, where a work term in Canada contributes to his or her professional development. Americans using the assistance of ROs (Registered Organizations) will need to, upon receiving an ITA, provide a copy of the Confirmation Letter as proof that the organization is assisting the applicant in finding work.
For American citizens participation in this program and the following criteria apply to applicants:
- must be an American citizen or legal Permanent Resident;
- must have a valid passport (American or other if Permanent U.S. Resident) for the full duration in Canada;
- must between 18 and 35 years of age;
- must have a minimum of $2,500 (CAD) to pay for expenses while in Canada;
- must have valid health insurance throughout the term in Canada (upon entry into Canada, may need to provide evidence of this insurance);
- must not be inadmissible to Canada;
- must have, before departure, a round-trip ticket or demonstrate having the financial resources to purchase a departure ticket at the end of the authorized time in Canada;
- must not be accompanied by dependants; and
- must have paid all applicable fees.
For this program an employer-specific work permit is required.
3) The International Co-op (Internship) Program allows applicants from the U.S. to gain valuable work experience in Canada, related to their field of study.
The following Recognized Organizations have offices in Canada and partnerships with the United States, providing paid services to Americans wanting to participate in one of the IEC streams.
- AIESEC Canada (Ages 18-30 – Young Professionals Program)
- GO International Work and Travel Providers (Ages 18-35 – Working Holiday Program)
- International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) (Ages 18-35 – International Co-Op / Internship Program)
- International Rural Exchange (IRE) (Ages 18-35 – Working Holiday & Young Professionals Programs)
- SWAP Working Holidays (Ages 18-35 – Working Holiday & Young Professionals Programs)
- University of British Columbia (Ages 18-35 – International Co-Op / Internship Program)
Work Permits for IEC Programs
Once the applicant has received an ITA, the following needs to be submitted to obtain a work permit that allows the applicant from the U.S. to work in Canada:
1) All documentation submitted for the IEC application previously;
2) Any other information regarding the candidate’s work history, education and background; and
3) Other documents in support of the application, such as Proof of Financial Support, Medical Exams, Health Insurance, Police Certificates, CV/Resume, Passport, Digital Photo(s), Family Information Form (IMM5707), Electronic Travel Authorization.
There are 2 types of work permits an American national can apply for: employer-specific or open. The first, employer-specific, allows the applicant to work solely for the one Canadian employer indicated on the permit. The latter, open, allows the U.S. citizen or permanent resident to work for various Canadian employers. (The open permit is often applied for by partners who intend on accompanying an approved student or worker to Canada.)
Things to Keep in Mind For Americans Applying for IEC Visas in Canada
- If the profile of a candidate is in the Co-op Program and Working Holiday Program, only an invitation for participating in the Co-op Program will be granted. An invitation for the Working Holiday Program would only be made if all the spots for the Co-op Program were already filled.
- Because the cost of living varies based on where one settles in Canada, applicants should inform themselves on the cost of living in the city and province / territory they wish to reside in, before applying.
- Wages must follow the labour laws in the province or territory where the work term will take place. The labour code of the province or territory will determine if an internship needs to be paid or not.
- Employment and labour law standards apply to all U.S. nationals in Canada.
- It is up to the IEC candidates and their Canadian employer to ensure that the labour standards are met. If needed, address inquiries to respective provincial or territorial bodies.
- If an American national who is coming to study in Canada has a legal partner/spouse who they would like to bring with them for the term of the study permit, this person will have to apply separately for their own visa and permit to visit, study or work in Canada and their application will be examined independent of the IEC participant.
- U.S. citizens and permanent residents applying under a RO may not need a Police Certificate upfront if they have lived exclusively in the United States. Applicants who (since their 18th birthday) have lived outside the U.S.A. for 6 consecutive months or more must provide a Police Certificate for each of those countries or territories. Officers may request a Police Certificate at any time if they have concerns. More information about Police Certificates is outlined under the IEC participation eligibility requirements.
Note: Some jobs require a Medical Exam to be completed before a permit can be issued.
Note: A work permit in Canada cannot be valid longer than the applicant’s passport.
Note: IF you are inadmissible on the grounds of health or security, you may qualify for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP).
