August 29, 2018 – Canada and Australia have increased the age range for an agreement that allows young people from both countries access to a work permit in the other country.
Young Canadians aged 18 to 35 can now live and work in Australia under International Experience Canada. Australians in the same age range can also come to Canada.
Australia is the top destination for Canadians through the program, out of 34 countries with similar agreements.
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The idea of IEC is to make it easy for young people to experience living and working in another country. More than 200,000 Canadian candidates have used the program, which originated in 1965.
Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen said: This expanded age range will give more young adults from Canada and Australia the opportunity to broaden their perspective of the world and gain professional work experience while traveling.”
Which Countries Are Part of International Experience Canada?
Australia | Hong Kong | Portugal |
Austria | Ireland | San Marino |
Belgium | Italy | Slovakia |
Chile | Japan | Slovenia |
Costa Rica | South Korea | Spain |
Croatia | Latvia | Sweden |
Czech Republic | Lithuania | Switzerland |
Denmark | Mexico | Taiwan |
Estonia | Netherlands | Ukraine |
France | New Zealand | United Kingdom |
Germany | Norway | |
Greece | Poland |
There are three categories under the IEC program, depending on the status of the young person.
- Working Holiday
Candidates receive open work permits that allow them to work anywhere in the host country. - International Co-Op
Candidates receive employer-specific work permits for students to gain experience in their field of study. - Young Professionals
Young Professionals participants receive an employer-specific work permit to gain targeted, professional work experience that is within their field of study or career path.
Canada’s immigration department recently updated the list of recognized organizations that provide services under the IEC program.
The approved organisations provide services for a fee to both Canadians going abroad and foreign nationals coming to Canada.
Services might include help finding a job, somewhere to live, or with travel arrangements.
The organizations are either Canadian with offices overseas, of international with offices in Canada.
What Are the Approved Organizations Under International Experience Canada?
Employer-specific work permit only
- International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE)
- Association for the International Exchange of Students in Economics and Commerce (AIESEC)
- Academic Internship Council (AIC)
- Mennonite Central Committee of Canada / International Volunteer Exchange Program (MCC/IVEP)
- Canadian Host Family Association (CHFA) with Communicating for Agriculture Education Programs (CAEP)
- International Rural Exchange (IRE)
- University of Alberta
- University of New Brunswick
Open work permit only
- SWAP Working Holidays
- Go International
Both categories
- INTERNeX International Exchange
- Stepwest
Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.
Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.
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