Youth Opportunity to Travel and Work in Canada under the International Experience Canada (IEC) Programme.

International Experience Canada (IEC) Programme

There are 3 different kinds of work and travel experiences available:

1. Working Holiday

This category is for you if

• • you don’t have a job offer
  • you want to work for more than one employer in Canada
  • you want to work in more than one location

• you’d like to earn some money so that you can travel

The type of work permit you get for Working Holiday is an open work permit. This lets you work for almost any employer in Canada (some exceptions apply).

You’ll need to get a medical exam first for some jobs.

2. Young Professionals

This category is for you if

• • you have a job offer in Canada that counts toward your professional development

• you’ll work for the same employer in the same location during your stay in Canada

Under this category, work must be

• • paid

• not self-employed

The type of work permit you get in the Young Professionals category is an employer-specific work permit.

Your employer must meet all labour laws in the province or territory where you plan to work, including minimum wage requirements.

National Occupational Classification 2021

On November 16, 2022, we switched to the 2021 version of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).

The job you’re offered must count toward your “professional development.” To count, the job must be classified under Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) category 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the NOC.

A TEER 4 job may qualify if it’s in your field of study. When you apply, you’ll need to submit your post-secondary

• • diploma
  • certificate or
  • degree

It must be translated into English or French.

3. International Co-op (Internship)

This category is for you if

• • you’re a student registered at a post-secondary institution
  • you have a job offer for a work placement or internship in Canada
  • you need to do this work placement or internship to complete your studies

• you’ll work for the same employer in the same location during your stay in Canada

The type of work permit you get in the International Co-op (Internship) category is an employer-specific work permit. The internship you’re offered in Canada must be directly linked to your field of studies.

Wages and labour standards must follow the labour laws in the province or territory you will be working in. The labour code of the province or territory will determine if an internship needs to be paid or not.

If you’re a citizen of a partner country, you may be able to apply to one or more of these 3 categories.

If you aren’t a citizen of a partner country, you may still be able to apply to IEC through a recognized organization.

IEC Walkthrough Guide

Watch the video below for an overview of the International Experience Canada application process and common mistakes to avoid along the way.

Before watching the video, this could be of interest to you, Nail your IELTS with Free Online Resources ( 1 stop centre)

Transcript: IEC Process at a Glance Application Video

Video Length: 5:25 minutes

Upbeat, instrumental background music plays throughout the video.

Text displays: “International Experience Canada Walkthrough Guide”

Text displays: “Before you apply, check your eligibility.”

A young person selects Australia from a drop-down menu and opens a second menu showing the 3 International Experience Canada categories: Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op (Internship).

Applying for International Experience Canada?

Before you apply, visit our website to find out if your country is part of the program and, if so, which of the 3 categories are available to you.

Text displays: “Check out the application process at a glance”

A 1-page overview of the applications process is shown.

Check out our application process at a glance for an overview of all the steps to apply.

Text displays: “Create and submit your International Experience Canada (IEC) profile”

An applicant creates an account.

After completing the Come to Canada questionnaire, create and submit your profile and choose the pools that apply to you.

An applicant uploads documents to the program website.

While you wait for an invitation to apply, start preparing your supporting documents. This may take a while, so it’s better to start early.

An image shows a generic example of a police certificate.

Make sure you get the right police certificate. Check our website for specific instructions.

Text displays: “Accept your invitation to apply (ITA)”

An image shows a generic example of an invitation to apply letter. A calendar page displays the number 10 beside a thumbs up and a thumbs down.

If you get an invitation to apply, you will have 10 days to accept or decline. Remember, all of your deadlines will be in UTC time.

The text “UTC time” on the letter is highlighted and expanded. Pages fall off the calendar as it counts down. A cursor hesitates between thumbs up and thumbs down.

Not ready to accept the invitation? You can decline the invitation, go back into the pool and be eligible for another invitation.

But if time runs out on your invitation, your name will be removed from the pool.

Text displays: “Complete your work permit application”

Text displays: “Do not wait until the last day to submit your application”

An image of a 20-day countdown indicates that the invitation was accepted at 7:25 am UTC and the submission is due before 7:25 am UTC on the 20th day.

Text displays: “The difference between your local time and the UTC time could make you miss the deadline.”

You will have 20 days from the time you accept your invitation to submit a complete work permit application.

An applicant selects the “Young Professionals” category. An employer uses the employer portal to pay the $230 CAD fee.

If you are applying for the Young Professional or International Co-op category, your employer needs to pay the $230 CAD employer compliance fee and submit your job offer using the employer portal.

The applicant enters the employer number “A527973” in the right field in the application.

Once the fee is paid, your employer will send you a 7-digit employer number that begins with the letter “A”. Include this number in your application.

Images show an applicant working in child care, elder care, and health care.

Text displays: “A medical exam is required for jobs in:
Health services
Child care
Education
Eldercare”

Text displays: “A medical exam is required if:

You have travelled to certain countries within the last 6 months”

An image shows a spinning globe with arrows to indicate travel.

If you want to work in certain fields, such as health services, child care, primary or secondary education, or elder care, or if you have travelled to certain countries within the last 6 months, you will need a medical exam. Check the website to see if you need a medical exam.

Text displays: “Check the website to see if you need a medical exam”

An applicant gets a medical exam.

Text displays: “Upload all supporting documents”

An image shows a series of documents.

Upload all supporting documents. If you cannot get a document in time, you can upload a letter of explanation, or proof that you have requested the document.

Text displays: “Check your application carefully”

An applicant carefully checks their application to make sure it’s complete. The applicant clicks “Modify my Answers”.

Text displays: “Do not wait until the last minute!”

Check your application carefully. Make sure all questions have been answered and all documents have been uploaded. Review your answers by clicking “Modify my Answers”. Do not wait until the last minute to submit your application.

Text displays: “Pay your fees online”

An applicant pays fees on the IRCC site with a credit card.

Pay your fees with a credit card online through your IRCC account.

Text displays: “Provide your biometrics”

An applicant has their fingerprints taken by a machine.

Text displays: “30 days”

If you need to provide biometrics, you will get a biometric instruction letter within 24 hours of submitting your complete application. You have 30 days to give your biometrics at a visa application centre.

A slowly turning globe shows different visa application centre locations.

You may need to travel to another city or country to provide them. Check our website for the closest visa application centre in your area and book an appointment as soon as possible.

Text displays: “Monitor your Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) account while you wait”

An applicant checks their email, including their junk mail folder. An applicant uploads a document, hits the “Next” button, scrolls down to the “Signature” section, and then hits the “Transmit” button. In the table of documents, the word “Provided” is highlighted.

Make sure you check your email and junk mail folders, as you might be asked for more documents. After uploading more documents, make sure you press “Next”, provide an electronic signature, and then press “Transmit”. It should say “Provided” next to the document you’ve uploaded.

An applicant uses the IRCC webform and chooses “International Experience Canada” from the drop-down menu.

If you need more time to get a document, make sure you ask for an extension using the IRCC webform and choose “International Experience Canada” from the drop-down menu.

An animated calendar shows 56 days passing.

Text displays: “Processing starts with submission of biometrics”

It takes 56 days to process your application from the date you submit it. Processing will only start after you have submitted biometrics and will stop if we ask for any additional documents.

Text displays: “Start getting ready to come to Canada”

An applicant looks at the “International Experience Canada: How to apply” webpage.

Text displays:
“Health insurance
$2,500 CAD in bank account
Valid passport”

An animation shows a health insurance certificate, a bank statement with $2,500 CAD, and a passport.

While you are waiting for a decision, check our website to see what other documents you may need, such as comprehensive health-care insurance, the equivalent of $2,500 CAD in your bank account, and a passport that is valid for your entire stay in Canada.

Text displays: “Get your port of entry letter”

An applicant views their port of entry letter online.

Text displays: “Bring this letter”

If you are approved, IRCC will send a port of entry letter to your IRCC account. Bring this letter with you to Canada.

Text displays: “Activate your work permit”

A generic example of a work permit is shown. Under “Conditions”, the date the applicant must leave Canada by is highlighted.

An applicant talks to a border officer at a Canadian port of entry and gets their permit corrected.

A Canadian border services officer will issue your work permit at the port of entry. Review it carefully before leaving. Make sure the length of the work permit matches what you are eligible for. If you have done a medical exam, make sure there are no medical restriction on your work permit under “Conditions”. If there is a mistake, the Canadian border services officer can fix it.

A checklist is shown, and the items are checked off one by one.

Make sure your IEC application and supporting documents are complete and accurate.

Three successful applicants are shown in the foreground with their activities pictured in the background: people in suits talking, people working at computers, and a Canadian landmark.

If you do, you will be well on your way to an exciting work and travel adventure in Canada.

Text displays: “canada.ca/iec”

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada corporate signature is shown along with the copyright message “Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, 2020”.

The Canada wordmark is shown on a white background.

Find out if you’re eligible

Select your country or territory of citizenship to see which categories are available: (required)

Make your selection…Andorra               Australia               Austria               Belgium               CanadaChile               Costa Rica               Croatia               Czech Republic               Denmark               Estonia               France               Germany               Greece               Hong Kong               Ireland               Italy               Japan               Korea, Rep.               Latvia               Lithuania               Luxembourg               Mexico               Netherlands               New Zealand               Norway               Poland               Portugal               San Marino               Slovakia               Slovenia               Spain               Sweden               Switzerland               Taiwan               Ukraine               United Kingdom               My country isn’t listed See all options

Who can participate

To participate

• • your country or territory of citizenship must have a Youth Mobility Agreement with Canada or

• you may be able to use a recognized organization

Some countries only allow you to participate once. Others allow you to participate twice, but in different categories. Because each country is different, it’s important that you check to see if you’re eligible to apply.

Even if you’re issued an invitation to apply, you can’t participate more times than your country allows. After you submit your application, an officer will assess your eligibility, including your past participations. Make sure you read and understand all the requirements before you submit an application.

Even if you hold a refugee travel document issued by a country that has a youth mobility agreement with Canada, you’re not eligible to participate.

Dependants

Your dependants can’t come with you to Canada under the IEC program. However, they may apply to visit, study or work in Canada. We’ll look at your application separately from theirs.

Find out more about how dependants can come to Canada.

Document navigation

Normally, your profile will stay in the pool until:

• • you receive an Invitation to Apply for a work permit

• we remove all of the profiles from the pool(s) at the end of the season or
• you’re no longer eligible for IEC

We’ll regularly issue invitations to candidates in the IEC pools during the IEC season. Check the schedule to find out:

• • when the rounds of invitations for each country and category will start and end
  • the number of candidates in the pools and
  • your chances of getting an invitation this season

You can submit an IEC profile at any time during the IEC season. As long as you submit your profile before the date of the last round of invitations for your country, you may receive an Invitation to Apply for a work permit.

One IEC profile in multiple pools

You can only have 1 IEC profile at any time. However, you can be eligible for more than 1 IEC pool.

When you complete your profile, we’ll tell you which pools are available to you. You can submit your profile to any of these available pools. For example, you might be eligible to submit your profile to the Working Holiday and Young Professionals pools.

How we issue Invitations to Apply

Invitations to Apply are issued in the following order:

1. 1. International Co-op (Internship)
   2. Young Professionals

1. Working Holiday

If your profile is in an International Co-op (Internship) pool and Working Holiday pool, you’ll receive an Invitation to Apply for an International Co-op category. You’ll only receive an Invitation to Apply for a Working Holiday work permit if there are no spots left in the International Co-op (Internship) category.

Get your supporting documents ready

You won’t automatically get a work permit, if you receive an Invitation to Apply.

To get a work permit, you’ll have to:

• show proof of the information you gave us in your IEC profile
• provide additional information on your education, work history and background and
• provide other potential supporting documents when requested

If you’re in an IEC pool, you should start getting any supporting documents you may need for your work permit application. Some documents may take several months to get. You could get an Invitation to Apply at any time, and you’ll have limited time to submit your work permit application and documents.

Features

Help Centre

Find answers to commonly asked questions about International Experience Canada

Applying to International Experience Canada

Application process at a glance

Applying to International Experience Canada

Get help from Recognized Organizations

International Experience Canada: Create a profile

From Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

• 1. About the process
• 2. Who can apply
• 3. How the pools work
• 4. Create a profile
• 5. Get invited to apply
• 6. How to apply
• 7. After you apply

Become a candidate

If you want to travel and work temporarily in Canada as part of International Experience Canada (IEC), your first step is to become a candidate in one or more IEC pools.

You should become a candidate as soon as possible, if you want to start working in Canada in the next 12 months.

How to become a candidate

This is a process where you:

• find out if you meet the minimum eligibility criteria by answering some questions
• create a free online IEC profile if you’re eligible

The answers you give us will be used to determine if you’re eligible for a pool in one or more IEC categories:

• International Co-op (Internship)
• Working Holiday
• Young Professionals

There is one pool of eligible candidates per country and per category.

You can submit your profile to one or more of these pools. Candidates in the pools need to receive an invitation to apply for a work permit.

Tip: You may want to open this page in a different browser, tab or window while you complete your profile. You can then refer back to this information as needed.

Step 1: Answer a few questions

Use our questionnaire to see if you meet the criteria to get into the IEC pools. It will take you about 10 minutes. It will ask you about your:

• country of citizenship
• country of permanent residence (where you live permanently)
• country of residence (where you live now)
• student status (if this applies to you)
• job offer (if this applies to you)

Note: Your country of permanent residence is the country where you have a permanent address. For example, if you’re a Mexican student in Canada, your country of permanent residence is Mexico.

To answer the questionnaire, you have two options:

• Sign in to your account and select “International Experience Canada”
• Find out if you’re eligible without signing in 

If you’re not sure if you’re eligible or you don’t already have an account, find out if you’re eligible without signing in.

Step 2: Complete your online IEC profile

If you get a positive result, you can complete and submit your IEC profile online.

If you checked your eligibility without signing in, follow these steps:

1. Copy or write down the personal reference code we give you at the end of the questionnaire (It looks like this: JM1234567890).
2. Create your account.
3. Enter your personal reference code when asked.

If you signed in to your account to check your eligibility, click “Continue.” You won’t get a personal reference code. You don’t need one.

We’ll use your answers from the questionnaire to start your profile. To complete your profile, you’ll need your passport. You’ll also need to tell us about your:

• identity (full names, date of birth, place of birth etc.)
• contact information

Filling in the online forms

• Leave out any commas that separate your first or last names (if you have more than one first or last name). For example, use “Julie Louise Marie” if your first name is “Julie, Louise, Marie”.
• Use English and French letters only.
• If your passport uses other special letters or characters, use the letter without the accent. For example, use “z” instead of “ź.”

Lower case letters you can use
Upper case letters you can use

If you want to complete your profile later

You may exit the profile at any time. Your information will be saved.

If you do not complete the IEC profile in 60 days, you won’t be able to submit it and will have to start again.

Step 3: Submit your profile

When you complete your profile, we’ll tell you which pools are available to you. You can submit your profile to any of these available pools.

Before you submit your profile, make you sure you understand which category is right for you.

Important: Submitting an IEC profile does not mean you have applied for a work permit. You need an invitation to apply to start a work permit application.

If you’re invited to apply, you’ll use your account to:

• submit your work permit application
• pay your fees
• check the status of your application

This is the only way to apply for an IEC work permit.

If you get an ITA

If you do receive an ITA and your work permit application is approved, you’ll receive a port of entry letter of introduction in your account. This letter doesn’t guarantee that you’ll

• be allowed to enter Canada, or
• get a work permit when you arrive

The border services officer will make a final decision on your entry.

Document navigation

• Next: Get invited to apply

Invitations to apply

If you’re invited to apply, you’ll get a message in your account. The message will list your category and your next steps.

You’ll have 10 days to decide if you’ll accept the invitation. The deadline will be in your invitation. From the day and time you accept the invitation, you’ll have 20 days to apply online for a work permit.

To accept the invitation:

1. go to the section called “Continue my profile / application, not yet submitted” in your account,
2. find the application called “Work permit”, and
3. click “Start application.”

If you do not respond by the deadline shown in the invitation, the invitation will expire. If it expires, you’ll have to submit a new IEC profile and be accepted to the pool again before you can be considered for future invitations.

Once you accept your invitation, you need to apply for a work permit. You’ll have to show proof of the information you gave us in your International Experience Canada (IEC) profile. You’ll also have to provide more information about your background and the type of work you intend to do in Canada.

Declining an invitation to apply

If you decline an invitation, you’ll stay in the IEC pool of candidates (as long as you are still eligible) to be considered in future rounds of invitations.

If you choose to decline an invitation, it will not have a negative effect on future invitations.

To decline the invitation:

1. go to the section called “Continue my profile / application, not yet submitted” in your account,
2. find the application called “Work permit”, and
3. click “Decline application”.

If you do not respond to an invitation, the invitation will expire by the deadline shown in the invitation. If it expires, you’ll have to submit a new IEC profile and be accepted into the pool again before you can be considered for future invitations.

Applicants in multiple pools

If you’re in more than one pool and you receive an Invitation to Apply for one category, you cannot be selected from another pool until:

• you decline the Invitation to Apply, or
• you’ve submitted your work permit application and we’ve refused your application.

If you decline the invitation or we refuse your work permit application, your profile will become active again and you may receive another Invitation to Apply.

Documents to support your application for a work permit

If you’re accepted into an IEC pool, you should consider getting your supporting documents ready as some of them may take some time to prepare (for example: police certificate(s)). We’ll regularly issue invitations to apply to candidates in the pool. If you accept an Invitation to Apply, you’ll only have 20 days to complete and submit your application for a work permit and submit all supporting documents. If these documents are ready in advance, it will be easier to apply within the 20 days.

If you’re not invited to apply

You can stay in an IEC pool:

• until we remove all profiles from the pools at the end of the season, or
• you’re no longer eligible for IEC.

Some categories will run out of spots before the season closes. If that happens, we’ll stop accepting profiles for that pool. If your profile is in a pool for another category, you may still get an invitation to apply for that category. If you want to submit a profile to a different pool, withdraw your current profile and submit a new one.

When we close the pools, you’ll be notified through your account that the pools have closed.

At the end of each season, the pools will be closed for at least two weeks while we prepare for the next season.

If you’re still interested in coming to Canada to travel and work as part of IEC, you’ll need to complete and submit a new profile when the next season opens. Once you start, you’ll have 60 days to complete the profile. If you still meet the minimum entry criteria, you’ll get a new IEC profile number. If you do not submit a new profile within the 60 days, you’ll have to start over.

Document navigation

• Next: How to apply

On this page

• Make sure you know the date and time of your deadline
• Complete the online form
• Get all the documents you need
• Pay your fees
• Submit your complete application
• Give your biometrics

You can’t apply for a work permit under International Experience Canada (IEC) unless we’ve sent you an invitation to apply (ITA).

If you’ve accepted an ITA for a work permit, follow these steps.

Make sure you know the date and time of your deadline

Once you accept your ITA, you’ll receive a message in your account with your deadline. You have exactly 20 days from the time you accept your ITA to submit your work permit application.

The date and time of your deadline is in coordinated universal time (UTC). This may be different than your local time.

For example, if you accept your invitation at 7:25 a.m. UTC, you must submit your IEC work permit application before 7:25 a.m. UTC 20 days later.

Don’t wait until the last day to submit your application. The difference between your local time and the UTC could make you miss the deadline.

Step 1: Complete the online form

You can save the information in the online form and go back to it as often as you need to until you are ready to submit it.

Make sure you

• answer all questions truthfully and completely
  • If we find that you gave us false information or left out important details, we’ll refuse your application.
  • You may also be ineligible for entry to Canada in the future.
• fill out all the mandatory fields in the form
  • You can’t submit your application until these fields are completed.
• don’t leave any gaps in time in the work history and education history sections
  • Include all absences, periods of unemployment, travel dates, etc.
• include all paid and unpaid work in the work history section
• click “validate” at the end of each form so there are no errors or blank fields in your application
• check our advice if you’re having technical problems with your application

If we ask you about your offer of employment

Follow the steps that apply to your situation:Young Professional or International Co-op applicantsWorking Holiday applicants

Step 2: Get all the documents you need

Once you have completed the application, the system will generate a personalized document checklist for you. It will show all the supporting documents you need to upload. Use this checklist to gather all your documents.

You must be able to make electronic copies of your supporting documents using a scanner or camera.

Once you have your documents ready, upload them on the Document Checklist page in your account.

If you have technical problems submitting documents, send them through our web form. Under the “Type of application/enquiry” drop-down menu, select International Experience Canada.

We may ask you for more documents after you submit your application. After you upload a document, make sure you complete all the steps. This means you must provide an electronic signature and confirm the information you’ve given. If you don’t, your application won’t be processed.

Learn more about how to submit additional documents.

If you haven’t applied yet and you’re missing a document

Find out what to do if you don’t have a document you need to submit.

Documents you may need

Police certificates

Medical exams

CV/résumé

Passport

Digital photo

Family information

Electronic travel authorization or visitor visa application

Proof of residency

International Co-op (Internship)

Young Professionals

Applicants using recognized organizations

Documents you need before coming to Canada

Proof of financial support

Health insurance

Step 3: Pay your fees

The fees you pay depend on the IEC category you’re applying to.

You can use the pay your fees tool to find out how much it costs to apply to IEC and how to pay your fees.

• Pay your fees tool

a) All participants

You must pay the IEC fee. For the 2023 season, the IEC fee is CAN$161.

If you need to give biometrics, you’ll need to pay the biometric fee when you pay your IEC fee.

b) Working Holiday participants

You must also pay an open work permit holder fee of CAN$100.

c) Young Professionals and International Co-op (Internship) participants

You don’t have to pay any additional fees, but your employer must pay a CAN$230 employer compliance fee and submit your offer of employment to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Your employer must complete this step before you submit your work permit application.

Refunds

The IEC fee, open work permit holder fee and employer compliance fee are refundable if

• you withdraw your work permit application before we issue your port of entry letter of introduction, or
• your employer withdraws their offer of employment before your work permit is issued, or
• your work permit application is refused

How refunds are processed

You don’t have to do anything else to get your refund. Normally, you’ll receive it within 8 weeks of your application being refused or withdrawn. Your refund will be issued to the credit card you used to pay the fees.

If you used a prepaid credit card to pay your fees, keep the card for at least 18 months after you pay in case you need a refund.

If we can’t refund your payment to your credit card, we’ll issue a cheque.

You will not receive a refund if we learn that you misrepresented yourself (gave false information or left out important details).

Step 4: Submit your complete application

Make sure you’ve

• filled out all mandatory form fields
• paid your fees
• included readable colour scans of all the supporting documents

The system will not let you submit the application unless all required documents are included. Use the document checklist to make sure you don’t forget anything. If you can’t get a police certificate or medical exam before the deadline to submit your work application, you can submit proof that you have

• requested a police certificate or
• made an appointment for a medical exam

This won’t affect the decision an officer will make when processing your application, but your application may take longer than the advertised processing service standard to process.

Once you submit your application, we’ll verify that

• all the information you gave us is true
• you’re eligible to work in Canada
• you’re admissible to Canada

If you’re eligible, we’ll send you a message in your account and tell you what to do next.

Step 5: Give your biometrics, if you need to

In most cases, you now need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) after you apply.

If you’ve already given your biometrics, they may still be valid.

You can check if your biometrics are still valid and when they expire by using the Check Status Tool.

If you need to give your biometrics

We’ll send you a biometric instruction letter (BIL) to explain how to give your biometrics. After you pay all your fees and submit your application, you’ll get this letter in your account message box within 24 hours. It tells you how and where to give your biometrics.

• You have up to 30 days to give your biometrics.
• You must give your biometrics in person.
  • You must bring your letter to 1 of the official collection service locations.
• We recommend that you book an appointment as soon as you receive your letter, so you don’t have any problems.

If you haven’t paid the biometrics fee, we’ll send you a letter asking you to do this first. You’ll get the BIL only after you’ve paid the biometrics fee.

Find out where to give your biometrics.

If you’re outside Canada

If you’re already in Canada

If you need an extension

There may be factors outside your control that prevent you from giving your biometrics within 30 days. For example, the VAC may not have any appointments within your 30-day time frame. In this case, you can request an extension to give your biometrics.

You can’t request an extension because:

• you have to work
• you’re waiting for cheaper flights
• you’re travelling or have vacation plans
• the biometric collection site is too far
• there are other factors in your control

How to request an extension

Send us a request using an IRCC web form. You must choose “International Experience Canada” from the drop-down menu. If you don’t, your request won’t be assessed.

Include proof with your request. For example, if the VAC doesn’t have any appointments within your 30-day time frame, you should attach a screenshot of the available appointments of the VAC.

We assess extension requests on a case-by-case basis. If your extension request is approved, you won’t get a confirmation email. Instead, you’ll get a new BIL in your account.

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• Next: After you apply

On this page

• Processing your application
• If your application is approved
• If your application is refused
• Withdrawing your application
  • If you’ve already received your port of entry letter

Processing your application

If you already applied, you can use the application status tracker(opens in a new tab)  to get updates on your application. To create an account you need your

• Unique Client Identifier (UCI) and
• application number

If you submitted an application between October 22, 2021, and March 31, 2022, you aren’t eligible for any fee refunds under the Service Fees Act.

Learn more about

• our departmental remission policy
• the IEC subordinate remission policy

If we ask you to submit documents for an application in progress

If you don’t need to give biometrics, we can begin reviewing your application once you submit your work permit application (including all required documents).

If you submitted one of the following documents, you’ll need to submit copies of your medical exam and police certificate when we ask for them:

• proof of an appointment for your medical examination or
• a receipt for your police certificate request

Learn more about how to submit additional documents.

Your application won’t be complete if we only receive your proof of an appointment for a medical examination or a receipt for your police certificate request.

Processing time – 2023 season^?

5 weeks

Processing starts once you’ve submitted all required documents, including biometrics.

International Experience Canada – Walkthrough Guide

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We’ll also check that

• you qualify for a work permit
• you’ve provided all the required documents and
• the employer is allowed to hire you (for Young Professionals and International Co-op applicants)

Wait until your application is approved before you

• buy a plane ticket for any travel to Canada
• buy health insurance for your stay in Canada
• make commitments to your prospective employer in Canada
• commit to any accommodation in Canada
• cancel your accommodation or leave your job or studies in your home country

If your application is approved

If your application is approved, you’ll receive a port of entry (POE) letter of introduction in your account. The letter does not guarantee entry into Canada or guarantee a work permit.IEC participants outside of CanadaIEC participants already in Canada

If your application is refused

You‘ll receive a letter of explanation in your account.

Withdrawing your application

You can withdraw your application and receive a refund if we haven’t issued you your POE letter of introduction.

To withdraw your application:

1. contact us using the web form and
2. in the your enquiry box, include “IEC work permit application withdrawal – (your application ID number).” So, for example: IEC work permit application withdrawal – W123456789.

We’ll review your request within 3 to 5 business days. If it’s approved, we’ll refund your

• IEC fee, and
• open work permit fee (Working Holiday applicants only)

If your employer paid the employer compliance fee, they’ll also receive a refund.

You don’t have to do anything else to get your refund. Normally, you’ll receive it within 8 weeks of your application being withdrawn. Your refund will be issued to the credit card you used to pay the fees.

If you used a prepaid credit card, keep it for at least 18 months after you pay in case you need a refund.

If we can’t refund your payment to your credit card, we’ll issue a cheque.

You will not receive a refund if we learn that you misrepresented yourself (gave false information or left out important details).

If you’ve already received your POE letter of introduction

You’re no longer eligible to get a refund or withdraw your application.

Exception

The only exception is for Young Professionals and International Co-op (Internship) participants whose employer withdraws the offer of employment before they travel to Canada. If your employer withdraws your offer of employment, we’ll refuse your application, and we’ll refund your IEC fee. Your employer will also be refunded the employer compliance fee. You don’t have to do anything else to get your refund.

Information for your employer

If your employer wants to withdraw their job offer, they can do so through the Employer Portal. If the Withdraw application option isn’t available through the Employer Portal, employers may find specific instructions here.