International Experience Class
International Experience Canada (IEC)
IEC allows eligible young citizens of partner countries and territories to work and travel in Canada. Eligibility, age limits, available categories, number of participations and permit duration depend on the applicant's citizenship.
Working Holiday
- Designed for participants who want flexibility to travel and work.
- A job offer is not required before coming to Canada.
- Provides an open work permit for most employers and locations.
Young Professionals
- Requires a Canadian job offer that contributes to professional development.
- Employment must be paid and not self-employment.
- Normally TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3; a TEER 4 job may qualify if it is in the applicant's field of study.
- Employer-specific work permit.
International Co-op (Internship)
- For eligible students registered at a post-secondary institution outside Canada.
- The Canadian work placement must be required to complete the student's studies.
- The placement must be directly related to the field of study.
- Employer-specific work permit.
Who Can Participate?
- Citizenship must normally be from a country or territory with a Youth Mobility Agreement with Canada.
- Age is generally 18–30 or 18–35, depending on citizenship.
- Some countries allow one participation; others allow additional participation or different categories.
- The 2026 IEC season is currently open.
Pool & Invitation Process
- Create one IEC profile and enter the pool(s) for which you qualify.
- If invited, you normally have 10 days to start the work permit application.
- After starting the application, you normally have 20 days to submit it and pay the applicable fees.
- Pool invitations and available spots vary throughout the season.
Current IEC Fees
$184.752026 IEC participation fee
+$100Working Holiday open work permit holder fee
$230employer compliance fee for Young Professionals / Co-op
Before arriving in Canada: be prepared to show at least CAN$2,500 in available funds plus money for a return flight. IEC participants must also have health insurance covering the entire authorized stay, including medical care, hospitalization and repatriation.
Insurance can limit your work permit. If the insurance policy expires before the intended IEC stay, the border officer may issue the work permit only until the insurance expiry date. IRCC states that this shortened permit cannot later be extended simply because additional insurance is purchased.
IEC Eligibility Assessment
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Meet our team in Surrey or Kamloops. Choose the office most convenient for you.
