International Experience Canada: an overview

Are you looking to experience the world, to discover your strengths, gain valuable work experience, take your career to the next level, develop life-long connections or find a new passion while working abroad? Are you a Canadian Citizen between the ages of 18-35? International Experience Canada offers these opportunities. Your future is in your hands. Continue reading below to get an overview if the International Experience Canada might fit your future.

What is the International Experience Canada?

The IEC offers you the opportunity to work and travel abroad. IEC provides a pathway to a work permit or visa to work and explore over 30 countries and territories. Canada has agreements with over 30 foreign countries and territories that are designed to make it easier for youth to travel and work abroad. With these agreements in place, it also makes it easier for youth from all of these countries to work and travel in Canada. Under the International Experience Canada agreements work permits are usually easier to get, less expensive, more flexible and processed more quickly than most other work permits. The IEC permits can be valid from up to 2 years.

Who can participate in IEC?

Generally you must be between the ages of 18-35, although some countries have the age limit of 18-29.

What kind of employment can I do under the IEC?

It all depends on what you want to do and how hard you are willing to look for a job. Many participants in IEC find work in the hospitality and tourism industries. These industries are usually more willing to offer temporary work for shorter periods of time. (think Whistler BC in the winter months).

If you have the proper education, experience or schooling, you may be able to work in fields such as health, law, science or education.

How to get started:

Although each country/ territory has their own application process, below is broken down into 6 steps to give you the general idea of how to get started.

1. Choose a destination: Choose the participating country or territory you want to work and travel in.
2. Find out if you’re eligible to apply for that country or territory: Each place has different eligibility requirements that may include age, financial requirements, restrictions etc.
3. Choose the work permit that is right for you: work permits may have different names but the type of permit you apply for will either be an open work permit (working holiday) or an employer-specific permit.
4. Get all your documents together: these may include passport, proof of finances, proof of medical insurance, employment contract, criminal record check, medical exam etc.
5. Complete your application: The application process for each country/territory is different. Before applying it is very important read the country/territory’s website carefully. The complete application process is found on the individual country or Territories website.
6. Start making your travel plans: If you’re application gets approved, you will notified in writing by mail or email.

Depending on which country you are from and which country you choose , there are 3 different pools of travel/work you can apply to. Details on each are below:

1. Working holiday- this is an open work permit. Designed to fund your vacation with temporary work. This is the category to choose if you do not have a job offer yet, want to work for one than one employer or in more than one location
2. Young professionals- this is an employer specific work permit. Designed to gain Canadian professional work experience to better compete in the global economy. This is the category to choose if you have a job offer that adds to your professional development and you will be working for the same employer for the duration of your stay.
3. International Co-Op (Internship): this is an employer- specific work permit. Designed to get valuable work experience in your field of study. This is the category for you if you’re a registered student at a post-secondary institution with a job offer for placement or internship, and need to get experience to complete your studies.

Akrami and Associates

Here at Akrami and Associates, we have dealt with hundreds of immigration and work permit applications. We have helped and guided our clients to draft a more effective application. We can help you draft the application and arrange all required documents. A well planned and complete application will increase the likelihood of acceptance. To get started, contact us today at 416-477-2545 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

With Akrami & Associates there is always a way!!