International Experience Canada (IEC) is being expanded again with Canada inking a deal with South Korea to allow their young people to live and work in both countries.
Canada’s latest youth mobility agreement with South Korea features a number of improvements over the existing memorandum of understanding signed in 1995:
- the eligibility age will increase the upper age limit from 30 years of age to 35;
- two new streams, International Co-op (Internship) and Young Professionals will be added to complement the existing Working Holiday category, and;
- most youth will also have the option to participate twice in the program, each time for up to 24 months.
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Countries Part Of International Experience Canada Program
| Australia | Hong Kong | San Marino |
| Austria | Ireland | Slovakia |
| Belgium | Italy | Slovenia |
| Chile | Japan | Spain |
| Costa Rica | South Korea | Sweden |
| Croatia | Latvia | Switzerland |
| Czech Republic | Lithuania | Taiwan |
| Denmark | Mexico | Ukraine |
| Estonia | Netherlands | United Kingdom |
| Finland | New Zealand | Andorra |
| France | Norway | Canada |
| Germany | Poland | |
| Greece | Portugal |
This year, Canada is extending the IEC to nearly 90,000 international youth. More than 240,000 Canadians have participated in IEC since 2008.
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Under the working holiday category of the IEC, candidates receive open work permits that allow them to work anywhere in the host country. They do not have to have a job offer and can work for more than one employer while in the country.
Under the international co-op, or internship, category, students receive employer-specific work permits to gain experience in their field of study.
The work placement or internship must be a requirement for the course of study and so the work permits are employer-specific. These participants must work for the same employer in the same location for the entire duration of their stay.
The young professionals’ category allows participants to receive employer-specific work permits to gain targeted, professional work experience that is within their field of study or career path.
IEC Applicants Can Use the Services Of Recognized Organizations To Help Plan Their Trips
The job must be one that contributes to the participant’s professional development. The work permit given is employer specific.
Under the IEC, applicants have the option of coming to work and travel in Canada with the help of a Recognized Organization (RO) to help them plan their trip.
These organizations, which usually charge a fee for their services, can help applicants:
- get information about Canadian culture, languages, laws, taxes, and job opportunities;
- find transportation, and;
- provide general support and advice.
Using an RO can help some of those who may want to apply from non-IEC countries come to Canada through the program. Every applicant to the IEC who is using an RO needs to provide a confirmation letter indicating that the organization is helping him or her and upload it to his or her profile.
Here is a list of these recognized organizations, their target markets, the work permit they help provide and the countries in which they operate.
AIESEC Canada
AIESEC Canada is a non-profit organization that helps develop leadership in youth.
Types of work permits:
Young Professionals (employer-specific work permit) for career development
Target market: Youth aged 18 to 30
Eligible to: IEC countries/territories, Brazil, India
Go International
GO International is a Canadian organization that offers work and travel opportunities.
Types of work permits:
Working Holiday (open work permit)
Target market: Youth aged 18 to 35
Eligible to: IEC countries/territories, the United States
International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE)
IAESTE offers opportunities in technical career-related jobs.
Types of work permits:
Young Professionals (employer-specific work permit) for career development
International Co-op (Internship) (employer-specific work permit) for students
Target market: Youth aged 18 to 35
Eligible to: IEC countries and other IAESTE country partners
A-Way to Work/International Rural Exchange Canada Inc.
Through A-Way to Work, the non-profit International Rural Exchange Canada offers paid opportunities to young people in:
- agriculture
- hospitality
- culinary arts
- tourism
- horticulture
- landscaping
- other sectors
Types of work permits:
Working Holiday (open work permit)
Young Professionals (employer-specific work permit) for career development
Target Market: Youth aged 18 to 35
Eligible to: IEC countries/territories only
Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN)
Memorial University offers internships for students and recent graduates.
Types of work permits:
Working Holiday (open work permit)
International Co-op (Internship) (employer-specific work permit) for students
Target market: Youth aged 18 to 35
Eligible to: IEC countries/territories only
Stepwest
Stepwest offers work experiences ranging from paid ski resort jobs to industry-specific student internships.
Types of work permits:
Working Holiday (open work permit)
Young Professionals (employer-specific work permit) for career development
Target market: Youth aged 18 to 35
Eligible to: IEC countries/territories only
SWAP Working Holidays
SWAP Working Holidays helps with working holidays and young professional work and travel opportunities.
Types of work permits:
Working Holiday (open work permit)
Young Professionals (employer-specific work permit) for career development
Target market: Youth aged 18 to 35
Eligible to: IEC countries/territories, the United States
