A deal signed in mid-July between Canada and the United Kingdom to broaden the scope of the International Experience Canada Program (IEC) for youth aged 18 to 35 years old will enable more of them to work in one another’s countries more often and for longer periods of time.
“The UK is one of the most popular countries for Canadian youth working and travelling abroad,” said Immigration Minister Sean Fraser.
“Canada is equally a top destination for UK youth participating in IEC. This new arrangement makes it more accessible for Canadian and British youth to work and travel in each other’s country while enjoying the benefits of international youth mobility.”
Building on the youth mobility partnership that began in 2008, the latest deal:
- expands the age range for eligibility from 18 to 30 years of age to 18 to 35;
- adds two new streams, the International Co-op, which is an internship stream, and the Young Professionals stream, to the existing Working Holiday category for Brits visiting Canada, and;
- lengthens the total period that participants will be able to stay in the other country from two to three years.
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The Canadian program’s counterpart on the other side of the Atlantic is the UK’s Youth Mobility Scheme.
“As close Commonwealth partners, the ties between the UK and Canada are historic and deep,” said UK Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick.
“We are proud to welcome so many Canadians to the UK under the Youth Mobility scheme while thousands of Brits have similarly benefited from the opportunity overseas.
“The expansion opens up opportunities for even more young people to make lasting connections, build their skills and use the experience to contribute both to their host country and once they return home.”
Canada has youth mobility agreements or arrangements with 37 countries and foreign territories.
The IEC’s three streams are:
- Working Holiday: participants under this stream receive an open work permit that allows them to work anywhere in the host country to support their travels.
- International Co-op: participants of this internship program receive an employer-specific work permit that allows students to gain targeted experience in their field of study.
- Young Professional: the participants in this stream receive an employer-specific work permit to gain targeted, professional work experience that is within their field of study or career path.
Since 2008, the IEC has allowed more than 240,000 Canadians to live and work abroad. This year, Canada is extending this opportunity to nearly 90,000 international youth from partner countries and territories.
As of 2021, there were 8.5 million people between the ages of 18 and 35 in Canada or about one in four Canadians.
IEC Cap Was Increased By 20% For 2023
The new IEC deal with the United Kingdom comes eight months after Ottawa announced it would increase the cap on the number of young adults who will be able to apply under the IEC by 20 per cent. That’s a 15,000-applicant boost to the IEC limit.
“Our government is helping more international youth to work and travel in Canada, effectively helping employers, most of those in the tourism industry, find the workers they need,” said Fraser in Banff last year to launch the 2023 program.
“By giving youth the opportunity of international travel and work experience, we are strengthening our economy and helping our businesses succeed, particularly in places like Banff that need seasonal help.”
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Marci Ien, Canada’s minister for women and gender equality and youth, has said the higher cap on the IEC benefits sectors like the tourism industry by allowing those employers to find the workers they need.”
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.
1. 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
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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
7. 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
