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International Experience Canada Program


Last Updated on diciembre 10, 2019

Canadians aged 18 to 35 can live and work in one of 34 countries as part of the International Experience Canada Program.

Reciprocal agreements are in place with each of the 34 nations, young people from those countries can live and work in Canada. There are three categories under the IEC program

International Experience Canada Program

  1. Working Holiday
    Candidates receive open work permits that allow them to work anywhere in the host country.
  2. International Co-Op (Internship)
  3. Candidates receive employer-specific work permits for students to gain experience in their field of study.
  4. 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.

1. Working Holiday

The Working Holiday category is for candidates looking to fund a vacation with temporary work in Canada.

Candidate Profile

  • You don’t have a job offer.
  • You want to work for more than one employer.
  • You want to work in more than one location.
  • You would like to earn some money so you can travel.

Working Holiday candidates receive an open work permit.

2. International Co-Op (Internship)

The International Co-Op categories are aimed at candidates looking for overseas work experience int heir field of study.

Candidate Profile

  • 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.

International Co-Op category candidates receive an employer-specific work permit. Internships must be directly linked to the field of study.

Wages must follow the labour laws in a specific province or territory. The law determines if an internship needs to be paid.

3. Young Professionals

The Young Professionals category is for those looking to gain Canadian professional work experience.

Candidate Profile

  • You have a job offer in Canada that contributes to your professional development.
  • You will work for the same employer in the same location.

Under this category, work must be paid and not self-employed.

Young Professionals category candidates receive an employer-specific work permit.

Job Requirements

  • The employer must meet labour laws in the province or territory, including minimum wage.
  • The job offer must be classified as National Occupational Classification (NOC) 0, A or B.
  • NOC C jobs might be accepted if you can submit a post-secondary diploma, certificate or degree, with your work permit application. Your diploma, certificate or degree must be translated to English or French.

Countries Part of International Experience Canada Program

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

Canada’s immigration department publishes a list of recognized organizations that provide services under the International Experience Canada 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.

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