International Experience Canada for Global Youth
Canada, a global hub for immigration, continues to attract young individuals eager to acquire professional skills and experience the Canadian lifestyle. The launch of the 2024 season of the International Experience Canada (IEC) Program, as announced by The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, signifies a significant opportunity for those interested in Canada immigration, Canada visa, and Canada PR.
News Release
This initiative, opening doors for nearly 90,000 young participants from IEC partner countries and territories, facilitates a diverse range of experiences for those considering immigration to Canada. Prospective applicants, keen on Canada visa application, can begin submitting their profiles from December 11, 2023, as part of the working holiday visa Canada program.
What is the International Experience Canada (IEC) Program?
The IEC program, fostering working holiday opportunities, is a reciprocal arrangement allowing Canadian and international youth aged 18–35 to work and travel in each other’s nations. With youth mobility partnerships established with over 35 countries and territories, including new agreements with Finland, Iceland, and Ukraine in 2023, Canada remains at the forefront of facilitating immigration for young individuals. The anticipated inclusion of even more countries in 2024 enhances the scope for Canadian youth to gain international exposure and attracts those interested in Hong Kong immigration to Canada.
Automation technology is being integrated into the IEC’s application process, streamlining routine applications, supporting program growth, and making the immigration to Canada process more efficient for international youth. These updates align with the growing interest in Canada PR, working holiday visa Canada opportunities, and the overall immigration Canada experience.
Notably, the new bilateral agreements, including those with Iceland, and updated youth mobility agreements with the United Kingdom and South Korea, bring forth enhanced opportunities for those considering Canada immigration. The revisions, effective from the commencement of the 2024 season, offer expanded participation periods and options for applicants. The United Kingdom now allows two participations totaling 36 months, South Korea introduces new categories such as Young Professionals and International Co-op (internship), and applicants from Chile must be enrolled in a school at the time of application, further diversifying the immigration Canada experience.
New Bilateral Agreements
The guidelines pertaining to the bilateral agreements and arrangements of the International Experience Canada (IEC) have undergone revisions.
Canada has forged new bilateral agreements with Iceland and updated youth mobility agreements (YMA) with the United Kingdom and South Korea. These changes will take effect with the commencement of the 2024 season of IEC on December 11, 2023.
Here’s a summary of the updates:
United Kingdom: Applicants now have the opportunity for two participations, totaling 36 months, under the bilateral agreement. This includes an initial participation of 24 months under any category, and a subsequent participation of 12 months under any category. Individuals whose first participation was 12 months before 2015 are eligible for a second participation of 24 months. Refer to the notes for further details.
South Korea: Participants are now permitted two involvements under the bilateral agreement. The Young Professionals and International Co-op (internship) categories have been introduced. A repeat category is allowed for the Working Holiday and Young Professionals categories. Participants can engage only once under the International Co-op (internship) category.
Chile: For the International Co-op (internship) category, applicants must be enrolled in a school in Chile at the time of application.