Last verified: June 28, 2026 · Official source: canada.ca/IEC
General information, not legal or immigration advice. For advice on your situation, consult a licensed RCIC or immigration lawyer.
What is IEC?
International Experience Canada (IEC) is a set of youth mobility agreements between Canada and approximately 36 partner countries. It gives young people from participating countries a legal route to work in Canada for up to 2 years — no job offer required for the main Working Holiday stream.
The 2026 IEC season opened December 19, 2025. Spaces are typically limited and fill quickly. Check the official IEC page for current season status.
Three IEC streams
1. Working Holiday (open work permit)
- Work anywhere in Canada, for any employer, in any sector
- No job offer required
- Duration: typically up to 2 years (varies by country agreement)
- Age: generally 18–35 (upper limit varies by country — some countries have age 30 or 32 caps)
- Most popular stream; spaces fill quickly in some countries
2. Young Professionals (employer-specific)
- Career-related work experience
- Requires a valid job offer from a Canadian employer before you can apply
- Work for that specific employer in the role stated in your offer
- Age and duration limits set by country agreement
3. International Co-op (employer-specific)
- For students enrolled in a post-secondary program outside Canada that includes a mandatory international internship or practicum
- Requires a job offer from a Canadian employer for the co-op placement
- Your educational institution must confirm the placement is required for your program
Which countries participate?
The IEC program operates through bilateral youth mobility agreements between Canada and partner countries. Not all countries have all three streams. As of 2026, around 36 countries have some form of agreement with Canada.
⚠️ Stream availability, age limits, quotas, and opening dates vary by your country of citizenship. Do not assume any specific stream is available to you without checking the country-specific IEC page.
Examples of large IEC programs (varies year to year — confirm on canada.ca): Australia, UK, Germany, France, South Korea, Japan, Ireland, Netherlands, and others. France has additional Working Holiday options.
Am I eligible?
General eligibility requirements (all three streams):
- Citizen of a participating country
- Age: within the age range for your country/stream (typically 18–35, but confirm)
- Valid passport from your participating country
- Sufficient funds to support yourself upon arrival (amount varies — confirm on canada.ca)
- Health insurance for your entire stay in Canada
- No dependants accompanying you on the IEC permit (general rule)
- Meet health and character requirements
Confirm the exact requirements for your country on the IEC eligibility page.
How does the IEC pool work?
IEC uses a pool system (like Express Entry):
- You create a profile and submit it to the IEC pool.
- IRCC invites candidates from the pool (called an Invitation to Apply).
- You apply for your work permit within the deadline given.
- Arrive in Canada — your permit is issued at the port of entry (or a port-of-entry letter, depending on your country).
Spots are limited and allocated by country. The Working Holiday stream for some countries fills within minutes of season opening. Being ready and applying immediately is critical.
IEC and the path to PR
IEC is not a direct PR pathway on its own — it is a temporary work authorization. However, it can be used strategically:
- If you work in a skilled NOCNOC: National Occupational Classification — TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 roles are "skilled" for PR purposes. TEER 0–3 occupation during your IEC stay, that experience can count toward Express Entry CEC eligibility.
- IEC work experience is treated the same as other Canadian work experience for CRS/CEC purposes — provided it is in an eligible NOC occupation.
- After your IEC permit expires, you would need another legal basis to stay (a different work permit, study permit, or a PR application if eligible).
IEC vs PGWP
| PGWP | IEC Working Holiday | |
|---|---|---|
| Who qualifies | Graduates of Canadian programs | Citizens of ~36 partner countries |
| Job offer needed | No | No |
| Max duration | Up to 3 years | Up to 2 years (country-specific) |
| Tied to Canadian study | Yes | No |
| Best for | Study → PR pathway | Youth travel and early work exp |
→ PGWP Guide — if you studied in Canada → Canadian Experience Class (CEC) — how IEC work experience helps with PR → Eligibility Wizard — find the program that fits you