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Canada continues to attract young people from around the world who wish to acquire and contribute professional skills, travel, and experience all that Canada has to offer. On December 11 in Ottawa Ontario, Immigration Minister Marc Miller officially opened the 2024 season of the International Experience Canada (IEC).
The IEC Pool is Now Open For 2024 Applicants
Nearly 90,000 young individuals from IEC partner countries and territories will be able to come to Canada and participate in the 2024 season of the International Experience Canada (IEC) Program, announced by the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. Starting December 11, 2023, interested individuals can submit their profiles.
A reciprocal program, IEC allows young people aged 18-35 from Canada and its partner countries to work and travel in each other's countries. Over 35 countries and territories have youth mobility partnerships with Canada. In 2023, new agreements were signed with Finland, Iceland, and Ukraine. Additionally, existing agreements with South Korea and the United Kingdom were improved. While Canada looks forward to welcoming young people from even more countries in 2024, Canadian youth will also have more opportunities than ever before to gain international experience and perspectives by visiting partner countries.
"Canada benefits when young people from around the world participate in International Experience Canada. This program will assist Canadian employers in their search for talented employees and stimulate the tourism sector across the country.”
said the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.
Streamlined Processing, Expanded Benefits, and New Opportunities Await IEC Participants
Streamlined processing is facilitated by IEC's expanded use of automation technology, which identifies routine applications. This helps support IEC's growth and makes it easier for international youth to work and travel in Canada.
The opening of the 2024 season allows participants to once again experience Canada through work and travel. This will benefit employers seeking skilled workers and boost Canada's tourism industry.
"We also encourage young Canadians to take advantage of the program's reciprocal nature to gain work and travel experience worldwide that will benefit them throughout their lives,"
according to the minister.
IEC Has Three Participation Categories
- Working Holiday: Participants receive an open work permit, allowing them to work anywhere in Canada to support their travels.
- International Co-op (Internship): Students receive an employer-specific work permit to gain targeted experience in their field of study.
- Young Professionals: Participants receive an employer-specific work permit to gain targeted, professional work experience in their field of study or career path.
Additionally, Canada and Finland signed a new youth mobility agreement in March 2023. Once ratified by both countries sometime in 2024, Finnish youth will be able to participate. Further, the Canada–Ukraine youth mobility agreement will be implemented once travel to Ukraine becomes safe.
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