Canada opens applications for the 2025 International Experience Canada (IEC) program, which provides young explorers from qualified nations with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Imagine obtaining international job experience and using a government-sponsored program to finance your trips while working in a vibrant metropolis like Toronto, soaking in the stunning scenery of British Columbia, or discovering the vibrant culture of Quebec. Now is the moment to take action as the IEC 2025 season arrives!
Who Can Apply for the International Experience Canada (IEC) Program?
People between the ages of 18 and 35 (18 and 30 in some countries) can now verify if they qualify to take part in IEC. Three categories are available in the program:
Get Up to $100,000 Student Loan for Your Master in US or Canada - Apply before 31 January 2025 to get as low as 9.99% interest rate
- Working Holiday: An open work visa that gives you the freedom to work for several different companies.
- Young Professionals: Work permits tailored to your employer for experience relevant to your career.
- Employer-specific permits for students who require work placements are known as international co-ops, or internships.
Read Also: The UK Changes Its Minimum Visa Requirements for Visa Applications (Starting Feb 2025)
How to Apply for IEC?
Step 1: Establish Your IEC presence: Candidates must first establish an online presence. In accordance with the chosen category, eligible profiles will be added to IEC pools.
Step 2: Get an Application Invitation: Successful candidates will have ten days to accept the invitation and twenty more days to submit their work visa applications. Canada often sends out invitations.
Step 3: Submit a Work Permit Application: Upon accepting the invitation, candidates must pay a processing fee of CAN$179.75 and submit all necessary paperwork. There can be additional costs.
Step 4: Get the Letter of Port of Entry (POE): A POE letter is sent to successful applicants and needs to be shown when the candidate arrives in Canada. In order to activate their work visa, candidates who are currently in Canada must depart and return. Keep in mind that reentering from Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon or the United States could not be eligible for activation.
Application Timeline for 2025
The IEC 2025 pools are now open here https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/iec.html, and applicants can instantly upload their profiles. The dates of the particular selections for each nation will depend on the invitation rounds.
- Processing time: roughly two weeks following the submission of the biometric.
- There are eight recognized organizations (ROs) that can help participants arrange their experience.