Applicants can enter the IEC 2023 pool now

The International Experience Canada (IEC) program has opened and is welcoming applications for its 2023 pool.

Following last year’s news that the IEC would be expanding its programme intake, giving nearly 90,000 applicants from partner nations a chance to work and visit Canada in 2023, the application pool has now opened.

The programme is Canada’s methods of exposing and providing work experience to young people from its 36 partner nations. Approved applicants will get to work in Canada with a work permit and travel freely within Canada. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) anticipates that the program’s expansion would further assist in meeting labour shortages in industries negatively impacted by the epidemic, most notably in the tourism industry.

What is the IEC program’s procedure?

An IEC work permit may be available to nationals of partner countries with bilateral Youth Mobility Agreements with Canada who are between the ages of 18 and 35 (all-inclusive) and fall within the eligible age range. Candidates may apply under one of three main streams:

1. The Working Holiday stream, which enables recipients to work for any business in Canada and in the majority of industries for up to two years while holding an Open Work Permit (OWP)
2. The Young Professionals stream, which provides job-seekers with an employer-specific work permit if they have a job offer and want to work for just one Canadian firm
3. The International Co-op Internship stream enables nationals of participating nations who are enrolled in a post-secondary programme in their home country to intern for a particular Canadian company

According to the program’s “expression of interest/invitation to apply” paradigm, candidates who are interested can submit a profile of themselves to the IEC pool. These candidates (now applicants) will be invited to submit an application for a work permit in Canada if selected.

The applicant will be able to enter and work in Canada for the duration of their authorized stay if their application is accepted, and they will acquire their work visa under their specified stream.

Eligibility:

In order to apply under the IEC, candidates must:

• Possess a passport from or be a citizen of one of the 36 nations (Hongkong, Taiwan, Ukraine, etc.) with whom Canada has youth mobility agreements
• Possess a passport that is still valid throughout their visit to Canada
• Be between the ages of 18 and 35 (inclusive) at the time of application, depending on the applicant’s nationality, and within the acceptable age range
• Arrive in Canada with the equivalent of $2,500 CAD
• Be able to purchase health insurance during their stay
• Able to enter Canada
• Possess (before departure) a round-trip ticket or the means to buy one at the conclusion of their permitted stay in Canada
• Not have dependents accompany them
• Pay the necessary fees

With over 800,000 economic immigrants anticipated to arrive in Canada over the next three years, the IEC programme capacity expansion comes at a time when Canada hopes to welcome more immigrants than ever. Through the IEC, young people can earn the necessary amount of work experience in Canada, which may make them later eligible for immigration to the country.

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