Canada Facilitates More Foreign Youth Employment and Travel

Canada has recently announced news that will significantly benefit young people wanting to move to Canada. Did you ever desire to work abroad? Your chances of doing so are significantly increased in Canada! The number of applicants for the International Experience Canada (IEC) Program is rising on government orders.

By boosting Canada’s economy, alleviating labor shortages, and enhancing communities, immigration helps all Canadians. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has been enhancing its operations in response to the high amount of applications, allocating resources where they are most needed, and simplifying procedures to give customers the service they need and demand. Canada encourages young people to study, work and immigrate to the country to address the labor shortage.

Canada Announces Increase in IEC Applications

The International Experience Canada (IEC) program was introduced to give young people from certain partnering countries a chance to visit and work in The Great White North for up to two years. The Honorable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, announced a 20% increase in the number of candidates who can apply for the IEC program.The application period will open on January 9 of 2023

The IEC and How it Works

IEC is a program that allows young people from Canada and partnering countries to visit and work in each other's nations. This increase in application numbers implies that over 90,000 individuals, especially young people of Francophone descent, will be allowed to work and travel in Canada, which will aid companies in filling labour shortages, notably for seasonal job openings in the country's tourist sector.

The IEC reports that Canada has agreements regarding youth mobility with 36 nations and overseas territories. You must fit into one of these categories to be eligible for the program:

  • Participants on a Working Holiday
    • Individuals with an open work visa who can work anywhere in the host nation to fund their travels.
  • International Co-op
    • Participants acquire a work permit that is particular to their company, which enables students to get specialized experience in their subject of study.
  • Young Professionals
    • Participants acquire a work permit tailored to their workplace in order to gain professional experience that is relevant to their course of study or intended career path.

What Does This Mean For Young People?

Canada has a long tradition of encouraging young people from home and abroad to travel and work overseas. IEC aids adolescents in discovering other societies, cultures, and languages while also enhancing their future employment opportunities and life skills.

According to Fraser,

“Our government is helping more international youth to work and travel in Canada, effectively helping employers, most of those in the tourism industry, find the workers they need. By giving youth the opportunity of international travel and work experience, we are strengthening our economy and helping our businesses succeed…”

Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, believes that youth from other countries contribute so much to Canada. International young people enrich communities across Canada by fostering cross-cultural connections and assisting the country’s companies in growing.

She said that the announcement made will help industries like tourism locate the personnel they need to address labor shortfalls while giving young people the chance to learn about Canadian cultures, languages, and civilizations.

Let us Help You Work and Travel in Canada

Your chances of starting your Working holiday in 2023 have just increased. Start your plans to work and travel in Canada by contacting us today for a consultation. Benefit from our years of experience and support services to get your journey started.

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