The recent announcement by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has made the 2024 International Experience Canada (IEC) pool accessible. This program allows young individuals from countries with Youth Mobility Arrangements to temporarily live and work in Canada. In the intake, over 30 nations have the opportunity to send 90,000 applicants who can gain valuable work experience in Canada.
Similar to Canada’s Express Entry management system, IEC operates through a candidate/applicant process. Individuals within the age range of 18–29, 18–30, or 18–35 (depending on their nationality) may be eligible for an IEC work permit. Those interested submit their profiles to the IRCC and progress to become applicants if selected.
The program offers three streams:
- Working holidays
- Young professionals
- International co-op internships
To be eligible for the program, candidates must hold citizenship in one of the partner countries (over 35 in total), possess a passport, meet age requirements, demonstrate financial capacity, have health insurance coverage, provide proof of admissibility into Canada, show evidence of a round-trip ticket purchase, and pay the necessary fees.
The IEC plays a role in addressing labor shortages across Canadian industries while also offering reciprocal benefits by providing international work experience for young individuals. Successful participants may even have opportunities for immigration in the future, which contributes positively to Canada’s long-term labor force.
The intake for 2024 continues the growth and progress seen in the year, highlighting the contribution of IEC workers to the Canadian economy. It is worth mentioning that Finland is expected to become a partner country in 2024 as both nations work towards finalizing their youth mobility agreement in the year.
For expert guidance on navigating the Canadian immigration process, consider reaching out to MAK Immigration Consultants. We are regulated immigration consultants specializing in assisting students with study visas, ensuring a smooth and stress-free transition to the Canadian academic environment.