International Experience Canada: a way to attract young talent
The seasonal International Experience Canada (IEC) program includes three streams that allow young foreign nationals from various countries to travel and work in Canada. It offers many benefits for both workers and employers!
International Experience Canada: attract young talent
ABOUT IEC
International Experience Canada is a seasonal program. It typically opens at the beginning of the year for the new season and closes in the fall. For example, the first rounds of invitations for the 2025 season took place during the week of January 13, and the program will close in October or November 2025.
Currently, 36 nationalities are eligible for IEC. However, not all streams are available in every country, and eligibility conditions vary depending on the candidate’s nationality.
General eligibility requirements include being between 18 and 35 years old (30 for certain nationalities), and holding a valid passport for the entire duration of the stay in Canada. Candidates must also provide proof of at least CAD 2,500 in funds, as well as medical insurance covering the full length of their stay.
Some countries allow only one participation in IEC across all streams, while others allow two participations, but in different categories.
Because conditions vary by country, it’s essential to check eligibility for the desired stream based on nationality.
WORKING HOLIDAY PERMIT (WHP)
The Working Holiday stream allows foreign nationals to obtain an open work permit. This permit enables them to freely change employers, hold multiple jobs, and travel across Canada.
The permit is issued for a maximum of 2 years, depending on the country. For example, Belgium offers a WHP for only 12 months.
YOUNG PROGESSIONALS
The work permit under this stream is a closed permit, meaning it is tied to a specific job and employer.
To be eligible, the job offer in Canada must contribute to the candidate’s “professional development”, i.e., the position must match their skills and field of study. It must fall under TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the National Occupation Classification (NOC).
Before entering the pool, candidates must have a signed job offer or contract of up to 24 months. This duration may vary by nationality. For example, Germany limits the job offer to 12 months.
INTERNATIONAL CO-OP INTERNSHIP
This stream is for post-secondary students who need to complete an internship as part of their academic program. The maximum duration is 12 months.
This stream also provides a closed work permit, allowing the candidate to work for one employer in a specific role for the duration of the internship.
A signed internship agreement is usually required. If not available, a signed job offer of up to 12 months is needed to enter the pool.
For example, Austria limits the internship duration to 6 months.
LMIA-EXEMPT WORK PERMITS
One of the major advantages of IEC for employers is that the Young Professionals and International Co-op permits are exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
This allows for faster processing times and lower costs, and helps employers avoid LMIA restrictions for low-wage positions, especially under recent federal and provincial measures.
COSTS AND PROCESSING TIMES
For Working Holiday Permits, the cost of the work permit is CAD 279.75. As this is an open permit, no involvement is required from the employer, neither administrative nor financial.
For the Young Professionals and International Co-op streams, the cost of the work permit is CAD 179.75. These fees may be covered by either the employer or the applicant, depending on the agreement. In this case, employer involvement is required. The employer must submit an electronic job offer (EOE) and pay a compliance fee of CAD 230.
Finally, biometric data collection costs CAD 85 and is required for all permits under the IEC program. The cost may be covered by either the employer or the worker.
In addition to simplified procedures and minimal costs, applications under the IEC program are processed quickly. On average, processing takes 4 to 8 weeks after biometric data is submitted (5 weeks on average for the 2025 season).
International Experience Canada is therefore an attractive option both for foreign nationals looking to work temporarily in Canada and for employers seeking qualified international workers. Feel free to contact us for support with your application process.
This article covers a recent development and may be updated at any time. Its latest update was on July 10, 2025.