Operational Bulletin 557 – November 05, 2013
An Overview of the Transfer of the International Experience Canada (IEC) Program
Summary
With effect from August 31, 2013, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) assumed responsibility for the International Experience Canada (IEC) program. Earlier, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD) was responsible for administering the International Experience Canada (IEC) program.
Issue
This Operational Bulletin (OB) provides guidance on the International Experience Canada (IEC) program at Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). It specifies details on the:
- Roles and responsibilities of the new International Experience Canada (IEC) staff within Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)
- Contact information for the International Experience Canada (IEC) team at Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Headquarters
- Provision of functional guidance for International Experience Canada (IEC) Participation Eligibility Requirements
At present, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD) are developing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) carries details concerning the transition of the International Experience Canada (IEC) program. Once they finalise the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), they will share the details.
Background
The transfer of the International Experience Canada (IEC) program to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will provide a better alignment of the program with:
- Government priorities and,
- Labour market demands in Canada
It will achieve this by linking the International Experience Canada (IEC) program to other immigration programs. This move will serve to strengthen Canada’s strategy for developing its human capital and attracting talent.
By transferring the International Experience Canada (IEC) program to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), the authorities also want to capitalise on the department’s existing expertise. This especially refers to the department’s existing expertise in centralised electronic processing of applications for this program.
In addition, the transfer will also enable Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to streamline the application process for International Experience Canada (IEC) participants to one federal government department.
The Roles and Responsibilities of the International Experience Canada (IEC) Staff Within Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)
Previously, International Experience Canada (IEC) staff were the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD) GLEE staff. At Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Headquarters, the International Experience Canada (IEC) staff would continue to:
- Process the first stage of the International Experience Canada (IEC) application for 18 satellite countries through KOMPASS, International Experience Canada’s (IEC’s) online application system
- Provide functional guidance on International Experience Canada’s (IEC’s) participation eligibility requirements i.e. the first stage of the International Experience Canada (IEC) application process
- Provide guidance and support to International Experience Canada (IEC) Hub missions in countries such as:
- Australia
- France
- Germany
- Japan
- Korea and,
- Sweden
- Manage the content of the International Experience Canada (IEC) pages on mission websites
- Answer general enquiries from the general public on the International Experience Canada (IEC) program including:
- Canadians and,
- Foreigners abroad
- Lead negotiations for the 2014 program on matters including:
- Agreements
- Quotas and,
- Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs)
- Participate in policy development for the alignment of International Experience Canada (IEC) with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) immigration programs
- Liaise with recognised organisations and,
- Attend outreach events and activities
Contact Information for the International Experience Canada (IEC) Team at Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Headquarters
The authorities have created a centralised mailbox. This mailbox will receive queries from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and mission staff. Therefore, officers would need to send all questions to the mailbox: IEC-HQ-EIC-AC@cic.gc.ca. These queries could include questions about:
- Participation eligibility processing and,
- International Experience Canada (IEC) specific operational matters including outreach and promotion
The Provision of Functional Guidance on International Experience Canada (IEC) Participation and Temporary Work Permit Process
Functional Guidance on International Experience Canada (IEC) Participation Eligibility Requirements (Stage 1)
The formerly Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD) GLEE staff will continue to provide guidance to International Experience Canada (IEC) staff overseas – as prior to the transfer. This is especially so on matters concerning the International Experience Canada (IEC) participation eligibility requirements.
The authorities would provide the relevant updates concerning contact information. This is especially so in case there are any changes following the physical office move that took place on October 04, 2013.
Functional Guidance for Temporary Resident Work Permits (Stage 2)
The Temporary Resident Program Division within the Operational Management and Coordination Branch will continue to provide functional guidance on the processing of work permits. This is especially so for work permits connected with the International Experience Canada (IEC) program.
In addition, the authorities have also updated OB 490-A (International Experience Canada Work Permit Processing). This Operational Bulletin (OB) provides additional information on the changes made to the processing of work permits as a result of this transfer.
Situations could arise where officers have additional questions on visas and work permits. They would need to send these queries to: OMC-GOC-Immigration@cic.gc.ca.
The Management of the International Experience Canada (IEC) Program at Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Headquarters
It is worth noting that the International Experience Canada (IEC) program will continue to operate as a two-stage application process for the 2014 season. The authorities believe that this will ensure continuity of program delivery. Therefore, applicants would need to continue submitting:
- The applications for the International Experience Canada (IEC) participation eligibility assessment (Stage 1) and,
- The work permit applications thereafter (Stage 2)
The International Experience Canada (IEC) staff (formerly the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD) GLEE staff) would continue to be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the International Experience Canada (IEC) program. Thus, they would look after updations to the country-specific International Experience Canada (IEC) quote on each mission’s International Experience Canada (IEC) website too.
At present, there are no changes with respect to the operational roles and functions of the International Experience Canada (IEC) team. However, the International Experience Canada (IEC) team will be responsible for administering the program on behalf of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) (under the Immigration Branch), rather than the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD).
The authorities plan to share information on the management of financial and human resources in a separate OB. They are awaiting the development of the finalised procedures. In the interim, situations might arise where officers have various queries on financial or human resources. These officers would need to direct their queries to: IEC-HQ-EIC-AC@cic.gc.ca.
Source: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)
