Breaking News
It was recently announced that the Canadian government would be expanding its applicant pool for youth who wish to study and work here in Canada. Here’s what we know so far:
- This decision was made in accordance with the 2023 International Experience Canada (IEC) Program
- The number of applicants who can apply will be increased by 20%, or 15,000 spots
- Applicants will be able to apply starting January 9, 2023
About the International Experience Canada (IEC) Program
The IEC Program is designed for youth between the ages of 18 and 35 years (depends on the country), and allows individuals who currently live in any of Canada’s 36 partnering countries to gain a work permit so that they can work in and travel within Canada for up to two years.
The program is meant to…
(1) help youth gain valuable work experience in another country
(2) improve your English- and French-speaking skills
(3) help participants work in Canada and receive funding during their stay here
IEC is also designed to build cultural, economic, and social ties, and promote healthy relationships between Canada and its partnering nations. With 15,000 additional spots opening for the 2023 IEC program, nearly 90,000 will qualify to work in and travel within Canada, including “Francophone youth, which will help employers fill labour gaps, including for seasonal work opportunities in Canada’s tourism industry”.
Currently, there are three categories of participation under the IEC:
- Working Holiday participants
- These participants will be provided with an “open work permit that will allow them to work anywhere in the host country to support their travels”
- This category is for you if:
- You don’t have a job offer
- You want to work for more than one employer in Canada
- You want to work in more than one location
- You would like to earn some money so that you can travel
- International Co-Op (Internship) participants
- These participants comprise students. Students will be provided with an employer-specific work permit, meaning that they will be allowed to work in positions that are targeted and relevant to their field to study
- This category is for you if:
- You have a job offer in Canada that counts toward your professional development
- You will work for the same employer in the same location during your stay in Canada
- Under this category, work must be paid and not self-employed
- Young Professionals participants
- These participants will be provided with an employer-specific work permit, meaning that participants will be allowed to work in professional positions that are relevant to their field of study or career path
- This category is for you if:
- You are a student registered at a post-secondary institution
- You have a job offer for a work placement or internship in Canada
- You need to do this work placement or internship to complete your studies
- You will work for the same employer in the same location during your stay in Canada
Do You Want to Learn more about IEC Programs in Canada?
Working and traveling in Canada with International Experience Canada
5 Working Holiday Destinations in Canada to Consider
Quotes from our Ministers
In the words of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, “our government is helping more international youth to work and travel in Canada, effectively helping employers, most of those in the tourism industry, find the workers they need. By giving youth the opportunity of international travel and work experience, we are strengthening our economy and helping our businesses succeed, particularly in places like Banff that need seasonal help”.
Minister Marci Ien shared similar thoughts, mentioning that “international youth bring so much to our country. From building people-to-people ties to helping our businesses succeed, international youth add value to communities right across Canada. Today’s announcement will benefit sectors like the tourism industry, to find the workers they need to fill labour gaps all while providing youth the opportunity to explore Canadian cultures, languages and societies.”
How can I sign up?
It’s fairly straightforward!
- Step 1: Create a profile
- Step 2: Get invited to apply to the program
- Step 3: Apply for a work permit
*Here’s an application guide you’ll definitely want to take a look at when registering.
Some additional information
The processing fee is $161 CAD. Additional fees may apply. Check out what you can do after you apply here.
The current processing time is 5 weeks. This means that it will take up to 5 weeks for someone to take a look at your submitted documents and biometrics. Check out what you can do to prepare for arrival here.
There are 7 recognized organizations that can help you plan your work and travel experience abroad. Check them out here.
Disclaimer: The information is obtained directly from the websites that appear in the source section. The information has been gathered as accurately as possible at the time of writing, but we cannot guarantee its accuracy or completeness. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please check their official website and digital channels.
Source: Work and travel in Canada with International Experience Canada, Government of Canada allowing more international youth to work and travel in Canada
