Client portalBook a consultation
Anasse Boulbaroud, RCIC #R706303CICC licence, Class L2Accredited by the Government of Canada to represent clients before IRCC and ESDCVerify on the CICC register ↗

International Experience Canada (IEC)

How International Experience Canada works - the Working Holiday, Young Professionals and International Co-op categories, age limits, the pools and rounds of invitations, fees and what comes after.

✓ Last verified: October 11, 2026

Draft: awaiting RCIC sign-off before publication.

What IEC is

International Experience Canada (IEC) lets young people from countries and territories that have a youth mobility arrangement with Canada work in Canada for a limited time. There are about 36 partner countries and territories. Each one has its own age limit, length of stay and quota.

The three categories

Category Work permit For
Working Holiday Open work permit People who want to travel and work for different employers
Young Professionals Employer-specific work permit People with a job offer that helps their professional development
International Co-op (Internship) Employer-specific work permit Students who need a work placement or internship in Canada to complete their studies

Not every country takes part in every category. Check your country's rules on IRCC's IEC page.

Who can apply

  • A citizen of a participating country or territory (or a person who goes through a recognized organization, where available).
  • Usually 18 to 35, or 18 to 30 for some countries.
  • A valid passport, funds to cover your first months, and health insurance for the whole stay.
  • Admissible to Canada.

How it works

  1. Create an IEC profile and enter the pool for one or more categories you qualify for. Submitting a profile is free.
  2. Wait for an invitation. IRCC sends invitations in rounds during the season, until the spots for your country are used or the season closes. There is no score: invitations are random among eligible candidates in the pool.
  3. Accept the invitation and apply for the work permit within IRCC's deadlines.
  4. Young Professionals and Co-op: the employer submits the job offer and pays the employer compliance fee before you apply.
  5. Enter Canada with the port of entry letter and get your work permit at the border.

The 2026 pools are open as of 2026-10-11. See rounds of invitations for each country's remaining spots and your chances of being invited.

Fees

The IEC participation fee is listed on the IRCC fee list ($184.75 as of the last check). Working Holiday participants also pay the open work permit holder fee. Biometrics may also apply. IRCC usually adjusts these fees on 1 December, so check the list before you pay.

After IEC

IEC work experience can count toward the Canadian Experience Class and some provincial programs if it is skilled work. Plan early, because an IEC permit usually can't be extended beyond what your country's arrangement allows.

Recent changes

  • 2026: IEC pools open for the 2026 season.
  • Each 1 December: IRCC may adjust the IEC fee.

How we can help

Anasse Boulbaroud, RCIC, can check which IEC category fits you, help an employer with the Young Professionals or Co-op offer, prepare your work permit application, and plan a path from IEC work to permanent residence. Only IRCC decides. Book a consultation.