ARCHIVED – Notice – Promoting Reciprocal Agreements through International Experience Canada
Ottawa, February 24, 2015 — International Experience Canada (IEC) is opening its doors today for the 2015 season. IEC provides young individuals the opportunity to travel and work in Canada. IEC is also available for Canadian youth who want to travel and work abroad.
Canada has reciprocal agreements with 32 countries and territories. In the coming weeks, Canada and its youth mobility exchange counterparts will begin opening their programs. Please check the CIC website to find country opening dates as they become available.
IEC has three streams; Working Holiday, Young Professionals and International Co-operation Internship. Visit the IEC section for more information on the three streams available to Canadian and foreign youth.
Please note that starting this year, in addition to the $150 participation fee, a new fee of $100 will be introduced specifically for open work permits delivered to Working Holiday applicants.
Foreign youth coming to Canada in the International Co-op and Young Professionals categories receive employer-specific work permits. In these cases, their employers must submit the required employment information, along with the new $230 employer compliance fee to CIC before the foreign youth can apply for a work permit. These IEC applicants are still required to pay the $150 IEC participation fee with their application.
Find answers to commonly asked question about IEC in the Help Centre.