The International Experience Canada (IEC) program offers an opportunity to live and work in Canada for as long as two years.
Participating countries have a reciprocal agreement where young adults can build valuable cultural and work experience by travelling internationally. Depending on the country in which you live, you could apply to one of as many as four participation categories. The following three are the most common for IEC Canada:
Working Holiday category
Young Professionals category
International Co-op category
Participation in any IEC program requires you to apply for and receive an IEC visa for Canada. Let’s not waste any time. Here’s a quick review of how to apply for IEC.
Are you eligible?
You’re a citizen of a country that has an IEC agreement with Canada and you meet that country’s age range (often 18–30 or 18–35).
You can show proof of funds (at least CAD $2,500) and a return ticket or extra funds to buy one.
You’ll purchase health insurance that covers medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation for the full length of your stay (more on this below).
You can provide police certificates, biometrics (most applicants), and medical exams if IRCC requests them.
Tip: Each country’s spots and dates differ. Always check your country’s “rounds of invitations” page to see if pools are open and how competitive they are.
Step-by-step: The IEC application
1. Create your profile & enter the pool(s).
Confirm you're eligible to apply for an IEC visa and submit a profile to the pool for your category. You can be in more than one pool if your country allows it. IRCC will then run "rounds of invitations". For more information on eligibility and how to create account view this page on the IRCC website.
2. Get invited & accept on time.
If you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), you have 10 days to accept it in your account. After you accept, you have 20 days to submit your complete work-permit application and pay fees. For more information, click here.
3. Gather documents & pay fees.
Typical documents for your application include passport, passport photos, police certificates, resume, proof of funds, proof of insurance (more information on this below), plus a job offer/offer of employment number. For more information on the required documents, click here.
During the Visa application there are a couple small fees you will need to pay, such as, the IEC fee, the biometrics fee (if required), and category specific fees. Category specific fees include the $100 open work permit holder fee for Working Holiday applicants or the $230 employer-compliance fee for Young Professionals/Co-op students (this is paid by your employer, who will also submit the offer of employment). For more information on the required fees, click here.
4. Give your biometrics (if required).
IRCC sends a biometric instruction letter after you submit and pay. You then have 30 days to give fingerprints and a photo at a designated collection point (VAC/Service Canada, depending on where you are). You can request an extension only for reasons outside your control (e.g., no appointments).
5. Decision & travel.
If approved, you’ll receive a Port of Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction. Bring it when you travel to Canada. At the border, an officer issues your work permit, but only up to the end date of your insurance if the policy isn’t long enough.
Your IEC health-insurance requirement
To enter on IEC, you must carry insurance that covers medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation for your entire intended stay. If your policy is shorter than your planned stay, the officer can shorten your work permit to match your insurance expiry and you can’t extend it later just by buying more insurance.
IRCC even recommends waiting to purchase until after you receive your POE letter so you can match dates precisely.
We make this part easy. BestQuote compares multiple IEC-ready policies - including the BestQuote MedEC policy which includes a 24-month options and plans that cover winter sports or certain stable pre-existing conditions - so your permit length isn’t capped by insurance. Get an IEC quote in minutes.
What to bring when you land
No one wants to deal with additional hassel at airport customs, to limit your risk of this occuring, bring the following items to present to he border services officer upon your arrival:
POE Letter of Introduction, valid passport, and (if applicable) eTA/TRV (issued with your approval).
Proof of insurance covering your full stay.
Proof of funds (CAD $2,500 minimum) and return ticket or funds to purchase one.
Job offer/offer of employment number (YP/Co-op).
