The International Experience Canada (IEC) program is targeted to young professionals from specific countries to apply for different types of work permits based on their nationality. IEC work permits are for applicants between the age of 18 – 35. As an IEC participant, you can secure a visa through a working holiday permit, young professional permit or international co-op internship.
These countries are eligible to apply for the IEC program.
Country | Working Holiday | Young Professionals | International Co-op | Age Limit |
Andorra | Up to 12 months | - | - | 18-30 |
Australia | Up to 24 months | Up to 24 months | Up to 12 months | 18-35 |
Austria | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | Up to 6 months (Employment must be in forestry, agriculture, or tourism) | 18-35 |
Belgium | Up to 12 months | - | - | 18-30 |
Chile | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | 18-35 |
Costa Rica | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | 18-35 |
Croatia | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | 18-35 |
Czech Republic | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | 18-35 |
Denmark | Up to 12 months | - | - | 18-35 |
Estonia | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | 18-35 |
France* | Up to 24 months | Up to 24 months | Up to 12 months | 18-35 |
Germany | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | 18-35 |
Greece | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | 18-35 |
Hong Kong | Up to 12 months | - | - | 18-30 |
Ireland | Up to 24 months | Up to 24 months | Up to 12 months | 18-35 |
Italy | Up to 12 months ** | Up to 12 months ** | Up to 12 months ** | 18-35 |
Japan | Up to 12 months | - | - | 18-30 |
Latvia | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | 18-35 |
Lithuania | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | 18-35 |
Luxembourg | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | 18-30 |
Mexico | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | 18-29 |
Netherlands | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | - | 18-30 |
New Zealand | Up to 23 months | - | - | 18-35 |
Norway | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | 18-35 |
Poland | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | 18-35 |
Portugal | Up to 24 months | Up to 24 months | Up to 24 months | 18-35 |
San Marino | Up to 12 months | - | - | 18-35 |
Slovakia | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | 18-35 |
Slovenia | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | 18-35 |
South Korea | Up to 12 months | - | - | 18-30 |
Spain | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | 18-35 |
Sweden | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | 18-30 |
Switzerland | N/A | Up to 18 months | Up to 12 months | 18-35 |
Taiwan | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | 18-35 |
Ukraine | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | 18-35 |
United Kingdom | Up to 24 months | - | - | 18-30 |
To be eligible for the IEC program a candidate must be a citizen of the above countries. Have a valid passport for their stay. Hold a minimum equivalent of CAD$2500 for their arrival. Candidate must have health insurance. Candidate must hold a return flight ticket without dependents and needs to have paid the relevant fees.
As soon as the applicant has applied for the IEC program, they would receive an invitation to apply for one of the above programs. A working holiday category is an open work permit for a candidate to work in any location and for any employer in Canada. A Young Professionals visa is linked to a job offer from an employer in Canada and limits the candidate to that employer. An International co-op internship allows for candidates who are registered in tertiary institutions that hold a job offer or internship placement to complete their studies, limited to one employer.
Understanding your options is always important at New World Immigration. Enquire for a free assessment.