The 2024 season of Canada’s International Experience Canada (IEC) is coming to a close, with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announcing that the last round of invitations will occur during the week of October 21, 2024.
To qualify for this year’s program, interested individuals need to act swiftly and submit their new IEC profiles by 9 a.m. Eastern Time on October 21, 2024.
After this deadline, new applications will no longer be accepted; however, candidates who receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) before the end of the season will still have the opportunity to submit their work permit applications.
At present, the IRCC processing times for the International Experience Canada season are approximately five weeks.
Each category provides various work permits and has distinct eligibility criteria.
Here’s a summary of the IEC categories and the countries that have the best chances of receiving an invitation as the program approaches its conclusion.
How does the IEC program function?
The government work permit program is aimed at youth aged 18 to 35 (or 18 to 30 in certain countries) who wish to explore Canada while gaining valuable international work and living experience.
Similar to Canada’s Express Entry programs, eligible candidates must first submit an application to the IEC profile pool to be considered. The IRCC will then select profiles from this pool and extend invitations to apply for a work permit.
Each country and category has its own pool of eligible candidates.
Depending on their citizenship, some applicants may have the opportunity to participate in the program multiple times across different categories. This varies by country, and candidates cannot exceed the number of participations allowed by their home country.
The categories
There are three streams available for candidates to apply for under the IEC program:
- International Co-op (Internship)
- Young Professionals
- Working Holiday
The International Co-op (Internship) stream is designed for citizens of eligible countries who wish to come to Canada to work as interns for Canadian companies. Applicants must have their co-op placement arranged prior to applying for IEC, as stated by IRCC.
In the Young Professionals stream, candidates receive employer-specific work permits, also known as Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-based permits, if they have a job offer and will be employed by a single employer in Canada.
The Working Holiday stream offers Open Work Permits, allowing holders to work for most employers in Canada for up to two years, providing greater flexibility regarding their work locations.
Once a candidate receives and accepts an Invitation to Apply (ITA), they have 20 days to submit their work permit application. IRCC will specify the deadline in the candidate’s online account.
Key Information for Applicants
Last Round of Invitations: Week of October 21, 2024
Deadline for Submitting IEC Profiles: October 21, 2024
Processing Duration: 5 weeks from the application submission date
What Should You Do If You Receive an ITA?
If you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) before the season concludes, you can still complete and submit your work permit application.
The processing time for approved applicants is five weeks, allowing even those applying late in the season to have a chance to travel and work in Canada.
The IEC 2024 season is coming to an end, with the final round of invitations planned for the week of October 21, 2024.
Countries such as Ireland, Japan, Germany, and France still have available spots across various categories, so interested individuals should act quickly and submit their profiles by the October 21 deadline.
Whether you’re applying under Working Holiday, Young Professionals, or International Co-op, now is the ideal time to secure your opportunity to explore and work in Canada through this unique program.
What is the IEC 2024 program?
The IEC program provides young people from more than 30 participating countries the chance to work and travel in Canada.
It consists of three categories:
- Working Holiday
- Young Professionals
- International Co-op (Internship)
Can I apply if I receive an ITA after October 21?
Yes, if you receive an ITA before the season concludes, you can still finalize your work permit application even after the deadline.
