IRCC Now Mailing IEC Work Permits to Participants Already in Canada

Good news for International Experience Canada (IEC) participants already in Canada—Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a new policy allowing eligible applicants to receive their IEC work permits by mail, without needing to leave and re-enter the country.

What Has Changed?

Previously, IEC participants in Canada had to exit and re-enter the country to activate a new work permit. Now, if they meet certain conditions, their new work permit can be mailed directly to their Canadian address.

This change makes the process much easier for those who want to continue working in Canada through another IEC participation round.

Who Can Receive Their Work Permit by Mail?

To be eligible for a mailed IEC work permit, applicants must meet all of the following conditions:

• They were already in Canada with a valid IEC work permit when they submitted their new application.
• They currently hold a valid Port of Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction.
• They request the work permit before the POE Letter expires.
• They have valid temporary resident status in Canada at the time they request the work permit.

Applicants must also maintain legal status in Canada at all times.

Note: This temporary policy will remain in place until December 1, 2025.

Who Is Not Eligible?

Applicants who do not meet the above criteria still need to leave Canada and re-enter to receive their new IEC work permit. However, due to recent changes, they cannot re-enter through the United States or Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon. Instead, they must enter from another country or territory.

Why Did IRCC Make This Change?

Many IEC participants want to extend their stay in Canada by applying for a second round of participation, if eligible. Previously, they could do this by leaving and re-entering Canada—a method known as flagpoling.

However, as of December 24, 2024, IRCC banned flagpoling for most foreign nationals, including IEC applicants. This meant they could no longer quickly activate a new permit by briefly leaving and returning through the U.S. or Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon.

For those not planning to travel abroad, this created added difficulty. The new policy removes that barrier by allowing eligible applicants to receive their permits within Canada.

Processing Times and What to Do Next

IEC work permits currently take four to six weeks or more to process. If you plan to stay in Canada under a second participation, make sure to apply well before your current permit expires to avoid losing your status.

A Quick Overview of the IEC Program

International Experience Canada (IEC) is a program that allows young citizens from over 30 partner countries to work and travel in Canada for up to two years, depending on their age and country of citizenship.

The IEC program has three main categories:

1. Working Holiday – Open work permit for travel and work in any field.
2. Young Professionals – Employer-specific work permit related to your field.
3. International Co-op (Internship) – For students to gain relevant experience.
   
   

To participate in IEC, applicants must first receive a POE Letter of Introduction, which they typically present to border officers upon arrival in Canada to obtain their work permit.

Conclusion

IRCC’s new policy makes it easier for IEC participants to continue their stay in Canada without having to travel. If you are already in Canada under the IEC program and planning to apply for another participation round, check your eligibility and apply early to benefit from this simplified process.