The International Experience Canada program is designed to give young people the opportunity to work temporarily in Canada. An open work permit allows them to work for any business in Canada, and they can come from more than 30 countries.
Meanwhile, Labor Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) are not necessary for work permits granted under the IEC.
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The labor market assessment is a tool frequently used by the Canadian government to evaluate the potential effects on domestic workers of the probable entrance of foreign workers.
Furthermore, International Experience Canada aims to enhance Canada’s social, cultural, and economic relations with its partner countries. This comprehensive guide discusses the three categories of international experience in Canada, its eligibility, and how to go through the process.
What is a Canadian Working Holiday?
Canadian Working Holiday is a program that allows citizens of certain countries to travel and work in Canada for up to two years.
It is a great way to explore the country, gain valuable work experience and cultural exposure, and make essential connections in the Canadian workforce.
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To be eligible for a Canadian Working Holiday, you must be between 18 and 35, have a valid passport from one of the eligible countries, and have enough money to support yourself during your stay.
In addition, you must meet the program’s language requirements and show that you are a law-abiding citizen. The list of eligible countries in the International Experience Canada Program are as follows:
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Kingdom.
Once accepted into the program, you will receive an open work permit to work in Canada for up to two years. You will also travel freely within the country, allowing you to explore different parts of Canada, meet people from all walks of life, and try numerous jobs in multiple fields.
The Three Categories of International Experience Canada Visa
Working Holiday
An open work visa with a one—to two-year validity period is available to those who fall under the Working Holiday category. Participants with open work permits can work for nearly any Canadian business anywhere in the country.
Certain nationals may be permitted to remain in Canada for a period that exceeds or falls short of a year.
Those who don’t have a job offer, wish to work for multiple employers in Canada, want to work in multiple locations, and want to make more money so they may travel are eligible for the Working Holiday category.
Young Professionals
Working for a Canadian company falls under the Young Professionals category, which allows people from member countries to obtain significant international experience.
If approved, applicants in this category receive an employer-specific work permit. This category is reserved for people who:
- Have a legitimate employment offer in Canada for a compensated role that advances their professional growth.
- Have plans to continue working for the same employer throughout their stay in the country.
Before submission of the application, a signed work contract or job offer letter from a Canadian employer connected to the applicant’s professional development is required.
The position must fall under one of the following categories: National Occupation Code (NOC) Skill Type Level 0, A, or B.
International Co-op Internship
Nationals of participating countries who are enrolled in post-secondary education institutions in their home countries are able to intern for Canadian businesses for a set amount of time.
A work permit tailored to the employer would be issued to those who fall under this category, and it is for people who are:
- Enrolled in a post-secondary educational program outside of Canada.
- Receive an offer of employment for an internship or work placement in Canada that is necessary to finish their studies.
- Intend to remain employed by the same company while in Canada.
Before applying, participants must schedule co-op positions with Canadian firms.
Employer-specific Work Permits
An employer-specific work permit indicates the name of a foreign worker’s employer, occupation, location, and the duration of the authorized work period.
The IEC may permit Young Professionals and International Co-op internship candidates to work for the same company in separate locations.
To accomplish this, all of the Canadian business’s locations must use the same Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number. The addresses of the work locations must be supplied at the time the offer of employment is made, together with the CRA number.
In addition, the job description, responsibilities, and pay must stay the same from one place to another. Applicants for International Co-ops or Young Professionals must continue to work in Canada in a capacity related to their education, training, or work experience.
Young Professionals or International Co-op Interns with work permits exclusive to one employer may occasionally ask to switch employers.
However, before filing a new work permit application, the participant must include the necessary documentation regarding the changing employer and occupation in the request.
The participant must also be ready to provide a defense, which could include a business shutdown. The case processing agent has the last say on whether to grant such a request.
Suppose a participant requests a modification after the first work permit has been granted and while they are in Canada. In that case, the permitted work duration will be shortened by the length of time that has already passed in accordance with the bilateral agreement.
Eligibility Requirements for the International Experience Canada Program
Candidates must:
- Own a passport and be a citizen of one of the countries above, or reside in a territory where Canada and another country have a bilateral youth mobility arrangement.
- Possess a passport that is valid for the entire time they will be in Canada (the work permit’s validity cannot exceed the passport’s validity).
- Be between the ages of 18 and 35 at the time of application (the maximum age varies based on the nationality of the applicant).
- Upon arrival, possess the equivalent of $2,500 to assist with early costs.
- Be permitted to purchase health insurance for the length of their visit (participants must provide proof of this insurance at the Canadian border).
- Be eligible to enter Canada.
- They must possess a round-trip ticket before leaving or have the funds to buy one at the conclusion of their permitted stay in Canada.
- Be alone, without dependents.
- Make the necessary fee payments.
Please be aware that each country may have different age and eligibility criteria.
The Process of International Experience Canada
The IEC uses the Expression of Interest/Invitation to Apply model. Candidates who meet the requirements can build an IEC profile, but they can’t apply until they get an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
The steps involved in the IEC program are outlined in the following chronological order:
- Get your reference code by completing the Come to Canada questionnaire, assuming you qualify.
- To create your online account, use this code.
- Finish the last few tasks in the IEC profile builder.
- Fill out your profile and select the IEC pools you wish to participate in.
- You will have ten days to begin your application or reject an invitation to apply through your account if you receive one. To begin the work permit application procedure, click the “Start Application” option in your account if you agree.
- Whether you accept on day one or day 10, you have 20 days from the moment you click the “Start Application” button to finish, pay for, and submit the work permit application.
- Before your 20 days are over, your company needs to use the company Portal to pay the $230 Employer Compliance Fee for the Young Professional and International Co-op categories. Request that your employer provide you with the employment offer number they receive following payment of their costs. This number is required to apply for a work visa.
- Attach all supporting documentation, such as police and medical exam certificates, if any are needed. If you don’t have the necessary paperwork, you can still attach evidence of your application for a medical exam and your sent police certificate request.
- You can use a credit card to pay the $153 application fee through the online payment system linked to your account.
- At this point, applicants for the Working Holiday Category also pay the $100 open work permit holder charge.
- At this step, applications for temporary work permits are evaluated by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). You can be asked to submit more documentation by the IRCC. This is your final opportunity to withdraw from IEC and get reimbursed. IRCC normally processes complete applications in eight weeks.
- A letter of introduction (LOI) will be emailed to your account if the application is accepted. The Port of Entry (POE) Introduction Letter is the official title of the document.
- This letter will be shown when you arrive in Canada at a port of entry, like an international airport; you might need to get a work visa.