International Experience Canada (“IEC“) provides young individuals the opportunity to travel and work in Canada. The program has grown considerably since it was introduced in 1951, and in 2016 IEC comprised 22% of International Mobility Program (“IMP“) work permits, making it the largest component of the IMP. The IEC Programs Participation in IEC is currently available to the citizens of 34 countries that have a bilateral youth mobility arrangement (a “YMA“) with Canada. The three most common IEC programs are the Working Holiday Program (the “WHP”), the Young Professionals Program (the “YPP“) and the International Co-op Internship (the “IEC Co-Op“). While eligibility requirements vary somewhat for each country, participation is typically open to young adults between the ages of 18 to 30 or 35. Under the WHP, participating young adults obtain open work permits which allow them to work anywhere in Canada. This is the largest IEC stream, and comprises 81% of IEC. Under the YPP, participating young adults can obtain employer-specific work permits if they have a job offer that contributes to their professional development related to their field of study and work for the same employer for the duration of their stay. Under the IEC Co-Op, participating young … Read More
Increased Fees and Compliance in the International Mobility Program
On February 11, 2015, the Government of Canada publicized amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations that affected most applicants in the International Mobility Program (the “IMP“). The IMP includes all streams of work permit applications that are exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (“LMIA“) process, including workers covered by free trade agreements, people participating in exchange programs like International Experience Canada (“IEC“), provincial nominees, intra-company transferees, post-graduate work permit holders, etc. In reviewing the changes described below, it is important to understand the distinction between a closed work permit and an open work permit. A closed work permit limits a foreign worker to a particular employer. An open work permit allows the foreign worker to work for any employer. The changes consist of: Requiring that employers of prospective closed work permit holders in the IMP provide information to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (“CIC“) before their prospective employees apply for work permits; Requiring that employers of prospective closed work permit holders pay a $230.00 “employer compliance fee” per employee before their prospective employees apply for work permits; and Introducing a new $100.00 “privilege fee” on open work permit applicants. The Government of Canada has announced that the above changes … Read More
Question & Answer – Renewing IEC Work Permit (IR-08)
The following is an e-mail exchange between an immigration representative and Citizenship and Immigration Canada (“CIC”) regarding International Experience Canada (the “IEC”). The IEC, more commonly known as the Working Holiday Program (which is actually a program within the IEC), allows young people from several dozen countries to work in Canada on open work permits. As with any program, questions emerged regarding specific requirements, including whether IEC work permits can be extended. Please note that what I have reproduced below should not be viewed as legal advice. I obtained a copy of this internal CIC question and answer through an Access to Information Act request the (“ATI”). The reproduction of question and answer has not occurred with the affiliation of the Government of Canada, nor with the endorsement of the Government of Canada. Please e-mail me if you want a copy of the original question and answer contained in the ATI. Question – May 13, 2013 Dear Sir or Madam: I wish to seek your advice concerning the following situation. I have a client, an _______, who came to Canada on a work permit issued to him on ___________ through the International Experience Canada (IEC) program. His work permit is valid to … Read More
Comparing Working Holiday Programs
Many young people from certain countries around the world are able to come to Canada to work on open work permits for specified periods under the Working Holiday Program (“WHP“). The WHP is a part of the International Experience Canada (“IEC“) program. The IEC also includes other programs such as the Young Professionals Program which require that applicants have pre-arranged employment. What many people don’t realize is that the WHP rules for specific countries vary dramatically. As well, they are changing constantly. So if you see you’re country on the list below, and you notice that the rules for your country are much more stringent than other countries, you may want to lobby your government to negotiate more flexible terms with Canada. Country Age Eligibility Maximum Validity (Months) Frequency of Participation Quota Australia 18-30 24 No limit 8,900 Belgium 18-30 12 Once 750 Chile 18-35 12 Once 725 Costa Rica 18-35 12 Twice in IEC, Once in WHP 70 Croatia 18-35 12 Twice 275 Czech Republic 18-35 12 Twice in IEC, Once in WHP 1,000 Denmark 18-35 12 Once 300 Estonia 18-35 12 Twice in IEC, Once in WHP 80 France 18-35 12 Twice in IEC, Once in WHP … Read More