International Experience Canada

What is International Experience Canada (IEC)?

Young individuals from countries that have a bilateral youth mobility arrangement with Canada, who wish to travel and work in Canada, may apply under International Experience Canada.

There are up to three (3) travel and work options available to you, depending on your country of origin:

1. Working Holiday

   This is a great way to fund your travels in Canada with temporary work. It allows for side trips and other excursions, among others.

2. Young Professionals

   With this option you can gain Canadian professional work experience. You will work on teams with people from diverse backgrounds, learn new approaches to doing business, experience a different country, and potentially learn a new language. This helps broaden your perspective as a professional, an important asset in any field of work.

3. International Co-op Internship

   This is for students who wish to complete a work placement or internship in Canada to satisfy a part of their academic curriculum. It provides the same opportunities as in the Young Professionals option.

There is a tool on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website that you can use to determine if your country qualifies for IEC, and how many of the options under IEC are available to you. It can be found here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/iec/index.asp

To Apply

Step 1: Apply Online to Participate in IEC and Receive a Conditional Acceptance Letter

The online system that you will use to apply for the Conditional Acceptance Letter is called Kompass. A Kompass account can only be created by you when IEC is open for your country; however, creating an account does not mean that you have been granted a spot in the quota available to your country. A successful IEC application must be made to ensure a spot in the quota.

You will be notified as to what documents you need to have in order to have your application processed. For example, if you are applying under the Young Professionals or International Co-op Internship options, you must have the employer you will be working with in Canada complete and submit the Offer of Employment to a Foreign National Exempt from a Labour Market Impact Assessment form and pay the employer compliance fee of $230.

Step 2: Apply for a Work Permit through your MyCIC Account

If your IEC application was successful, you will receive your Conditional Acceptance Letter, and in this letter will be instructions on how to create your MyCIC account. The MyCIC account is what you will use to apply for a work permit to work in Canada.

Again, as before, all required documents to apply for a work permit will be outlined in your MyCIC account. Once you have gathered all documents, followed all application procedures and paid all applicable fees, you may submit your request for a work permit. Instructions are provided in your MyCIC account, but you may also refer to our article on applying for work permits from outside Canada.

Contact Akrami & Associates

For information on how to ensure a smooth application process, or to know your entitlements and obligations once you come to Canada, contact us at Akrami & Associates today. We are here to help you.