Working Holiday - International Experience Class (IEC)

The International Experience Class program is designed for those aged 18-35 who want to work temporarily (1-2 years) and experience Canada. For citizens of specific countries, there are three possible categories of participation through bilateral agreements and arrangements under the International Experience Canada (IEC) program:

Participants are eligible to apply for an open work permit (1-2 years) which allows them to work for any employer in any location in Canada.  The intention is to help cover the costs for their stay in Canada as they travel and discover the country.

Participants are eligible to apply for an employer-specific work permit to help them gain professional work experience in Canada.  The job offer must be considered as contributing to your “professional development” and classified as a National Occupational Classification (NOC) Code Skill Type Level 0, A or B. A NOC C job can also be considered if a post-secondary diploma, certificate or degree has been completed and included with the work permit application. 

Participants are eligible to apply for an employer-specific work permit to help them gain experience in their field of study. The internship offered in Canada must be directly linked to your field of studies and classified as a (NOC) Code Skill Type Level 0, A or B. It is possible for NOC C to be considered as well. Applicants must be registered students in their home country for the duration of their internship in Canada. In addition, the Co-op placement must be prearranged before applying. 

• be a citizen (passport holder) of one of the 33 countries that have a bilateral youth mobility agreement with Canada
• have a valid passport for the duration of their stay in Canada (the work permit issued will not be longer than the validity of the passport)
• be between the ages of 18 and 30 or 35 at the time of application (the upper age limit depends on the applicant’s country of citizenship)
• have the equivalent of $2,500 CAN upon landing to help cover initial expenses
• be able to take out health insurance for the duration of their stay (participants may have to present evidence of this insurance at the point of entry in Canada)
• be admissible to Canada
• have, prior to departure, a round-trip ticket or the financial resources to purchase a departure ticket for the end of their authorized stay in Canada
• not be accompanied by dependents
• pay the appropriate fees

Australia

Austria

Belgium

Chile

Costa Rica

Croatia

Czech Republic

Denmark

Estonia

France

Germany

Greece

Hong Kong SAR

Ireland

Italy

Japan

Korea, Republic

Latvia Republic

Lithuania

Mexico

Netherlands

New Zealand

Norway

Poland

San Marino

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Taiwan

Ukraine

United Kingdom