Working Holiday
An open work permit, so you can work for almost any employer, anywhere in Canada, and travel.
Open permit
International Experience Canada
Live and work in Canada while you can.
International Experience Canada is a youth mobility program for citizens of partner countries aged 18 to 35. It is the rare open work permit you can get from outside Canada — and it is age-limited, so the window closes permanently.
RCIC-led
Brampton & London
Reviewed July 2026
18–35
Age range
The exact cap depends on your country’s agreement with Canada.
3 streams
Categories
Working Holiday, Young Professionals, International Co-op.
Open permit
Working Holiday
The Working Holiday stream gives an open work permit.
Pool-based
How it works
You enter a pool and wait to be invited to apply.
The three streams
Which category fits you.
Your citizenship determines which streams are open to you, and each has a different permit type attached.
Young Professionals
An employer-specific permit for a job that advances your career in your field.
Employer-specificInternational Co-op
For students needing a work placement or internship that is part of their studies abroad.
Employer-specificApplicants nearing the age cap
If this is your last eligible year, the timing strategy changes entirely.
Second participation
Some agreements allow a second stint, in the same or a different category.
Using IEC toward PR
Canadian work experience from IEC can feed directly into Express Entry.
How it works
From pool to permit.
Check your country agreement
Not every nationality has access, and streams and age caps vary by agreement.
Create a profile and enter the pool
You submit a profile and wait for rounds of invitations, which are issued periodically.
Accept the invitation in time
Invitations expire. Missing the deadline means waiting for another round, if any remain.
Prepare funds and insurance
Proof of funds and health insurance covering your stay are normally required.
Meet admissibility
Medical and police requirements apply as with any work permit.
Plan your Canadian experience
What you do on an IEC permit determines how useful it is for permanent residence later.
How we help
How we help.
01
Confirm your stream
We check your citizenship agreement, age eligibility and which categories are actually open to you.
02
Get your profile right
A profile that reflects your background accurately, submitted into the right pool.
03
Move fast on invitations
Invitations are time-limited. We prepare documents in advance so nothing is lost to a deadline.
04
Convert experience into PR
We plan the occupation and duration so your time here counts toward Express Entry.
Free eligibility check
Ready to work in Canada?
Tell us your citizenship and age and a licensed RCIC will confirm which IEC streams are open to you and when to enter.
- Which streams your citizenship allows.
- Whether you are still within the age cap.
- What to prepare before an invitation arrives.
- How to turn IEC into permanent residence.
Check your eligibility
Reviewed by a licensed RCIC, usually the same business day.
Thanks — we’ll be in touch
A licensed RCIC will review your details and reach out, usually the same business day.
Message us on WhatsApp Good to know
Questions, answered.
Who is eligible for IEC?
You must be a citizen of a country that has a youth mobility agreement with Canada, and be within that agreement's age range, most commonly 18 to 30 or 18 to 35. Some countries also allow participation through recognised organisations where there is no direct agreement.
Which stream gives an open work permit?
Working Holiday. It allows you to work for almost any employer anywhere in Canada. Young Professionals and International Co-op are employer-specific, meaning you need a job offer or placement tied to the permit before you apply.
How does the pool work?
You create a profile and enter a pool for your country and category. IRCC issues invitations to apply in rounds during the season. Receiving an invitation is not guaranteed, and once you receive one you have a limited time to accept and submit.
Can I participate twice?
Some agreements permit a second participation, sometimes only in a different category. This varies significantly by country, so it needs to be checked against your specific agreement rather than assumed.
Does IEC lead to permanent residence?
Not directly, but the Canadian work experience it produces is one of the strongest inputs into Express Entry, particularly the Canadian Experience Class. Choosing the right occupation during your IEC time materially changes your PR options later.
What if I am about to age out?
Then this season matters more than any other. Eligibility is generally assessed against your age when you submit your profile, so entering the pool promptly is critical. Get advice immediately rather than waiting for the next round.