Moving Abroad

International Experience Canada: Working Holiday Visa Guide

4 min read

In this guide
  1. What is International Experience Canada?
  2. Which countries have an arrangement?
  3. How does IEC work?
  4. What about the season dates?
  5. What if you are already in Canada?
  6. Common mistakes
  7. FAQ
    1. How old do I need to be?
    2. Can I look for a job in advance?
    3. How do I check my application?
  8. Key takeaways
  9. Related guides
  10. Sources

Quick answer: International Experience Canada (IEC) is a government program that lets young people from partner countries work and travel in Canada. IRCC says you must be 18 to 35 (18 to 30 in some countries). You create a profile, wait to be invited to apply, and then submit your work permit application.

If you want to live in Canada for a while, earn money and see the country, IEC is the route built for it. It is not open to everyone: your country needs an arrangement with Canada, and places are limited, so you do not simply apply, you enter a pool and wait for an invitation. This guide explains how that works, based on IRCC’s IEC page.

What is International Experience Canada?

IRCC describes IEC as a program designed to help you gain international work experience, improve your English and French, work in Canada and fund your trip. Where you were born does not decide eligibility, your country of citizenship does, because Canada has arrangements with specific countries and territories.

Which countries have an arrangement?

IRCC’s list of countries and territories with an IEC arrangement includes Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. If your country is not listed, IRCC provides a page to check eligibility by country and category.

How does IEC work?

  1. Check eligibility for your country and category.
  2. Create your IEC profile and enter the pool.
  3. Get an invitation to apply in one of the rounds of invitations. IRCC publishes the dates, number of invitations and available spots.
  4. Submit your work permit application, pay the fees and give biometrics if required. See Canada biometrics: who needs them.
  5. Prepare for arrival. IRCC lists recognized organizations that may help you plan.

What about the season dates?

As of IRCC’s page update on October 13, 2026, the final round of invitations for all remaining pools was set for the week of October 19, 2026, and you must submit your profile before 9 a.m. Eastern Time on October 19, 2026 to be considered for the 2026 season. IRCC says that if you receive an invitation before the season closes, or have started your work permit application, you can still complete and submit it. Dates change each season, so check the rounds of invitations page for current ones.

What if you are already in Canada?

IRCC says that if you are in Canada with a valid letter of introduction, you may be able to get your IEC work permit mailed to a Canadian address if you meet certain requirements. If not, you must leave Canada after you get your port of entry letter and re-enter from a country other than the US or Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon to activate your permit.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming everyone can apply. Your citizenship must be on the arrangement list.
  • Missing the season cut-off. Profiles must be in before the final round.
  • Waiting too long after the invitation. Submit the work permit application on time.

FAQ

How old do I need to be?

IRCC says 18 to 35, or 18 to 30 in some countries.

Can I look for a job in advance?

IRCC links to the government Job Bank, which lists jobs across Canada. See also how to find a job abroad before you move.

How do I check my application?

IRCC offers online status updates and an IEC web form for submitting extra documents or asking for more time.

Key takeaways

  • IEC is for citizens of countries with a Canadian arrangement, aged 18 to 35 (or 30).
  • You enter a pool, get invited, then apply for the work permit.
  • Check the rounds of invitations for current dates and available spots.

This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. IEC rules, fees and dates change each season, so confirm them on the official IRCC site. Last updated: October 2026.

Sources

IRCC: Work and Travel in Canada with International Experience Canada.

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