Application Pool Closing Soon for International Experience Canada 2024

If you're interested in applying for the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, you need to submit your application by October 21, 2024.

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) first opened the 2024 IEC pool in December of last year. The program is aimed at young people from over 30 countries that have Youth Mobility Agreements with Canada, allowing them to live and work temporarily in Canada. This year’s target was 90,000 applications.

What is IEC?

IEC is designed for young people aged 18 to 35 (or 18 to 30 for some countries) who want to experience life in Canada while gaining valuable work experience. The program functions similarly to Canada’s Express Entry system, where eligible candidates create a profile and are placed into a pool. From there, IRCC selects profiles and invites candidates to apply for a work permit.

Each country has its own pool of candidates, and depending on the country, some participants may be able to apply more than once under different categories. However, the number of times a candidate can participate is determined by their home country’s rules.

IEC Streams

The IEC program has three streams:

1. International Co-op (Internship): This stream allows students from eligible countries to intern at Canadian companies. Applicants must have a co-op placement arranged before applying.
2. Young Professionals: Candidates can apply for employer-specific work permits under this stream if they have a job offer in Canada. They will work for a single employer during their stay.
3. Working Holiday: This stream provides Open Work Permits, allowing participants to work for most employers in Canada for up to two years, offering flexibility in location and job choices.
   
   

Once invited to apply, candidates have 20 days to submit their work permit application, and IRCC will provide the exact deadline in the candidate's online account.

What to Know Before You Arrive in Canada

When arriving in Canada, IEC participants need to carry their passport and Port of Entry Letter. They may also need to show proof of sufficient funds, health insurance, and a ticket for their return (or proof that they can afford one).

Candidates must provide a bank statement, no older than one week before their departure, showing they have enough money to support themselves for the first three months, which is typically around $2,500 CAD.

Don’t miss the deadline if you want to take part in this exciting opportunity to live and work in Canada!