The New International Experience Canada (IEC) draw of 2024 sent 5,259 invitations for open work permits during the week ending February 3, 2024.
Out of these, 4,570 invitations were for the Working Holiday category, which allows people from 34 different countries to work for various employers in Canada. There are still 44,433 available spots for young people. Currently, there are 31,155 candidates in the Working Holiday Pool.
The Young Professional category sent 547 invitations, while the International Co-op (internship) category received 142 invitations.
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IEC 2024 Season started on December 11, 2023, enabling young individuals from eligible countries to submit their profiles to the IEC pool.
The Canadian government announced the initiation of invitations in early January 2024. The IEC 2024 season has sent out about 27,000 invitations so far in three draws held this year.
As of the latest update from IRCC on January 23, the processing time for the International Experience Canada 2024 season is 6 weeks.
Working Holiday Visa Invitations:
In the latest IEC round of invitations, 4,570 open work permit invitations were sent.
Under the Working Holiday category, eligible individuals from different countries get an open work permit, allowing them to work for any company in Canada.
This category is suitable for those without a job offer, who want to work for multiple employers and explore various places while earning money for their travels.
Click here to learn more about Working Holiday Visa.
Young Professionals Invitations:
The Young Professionals category offers a work visa tied to a specific employer for eligible applicants from certain countries.
To qualify, individuals need a genuine job offer from a Canadian company that supports career growth and a commitment to work for the same company and at the same location.
In the latest IEC round of invitations, 547 invitations were sent in this category.
Click here to learn more about Young Professionals Invitations
International Co-op (Internship):
In the International Co-op (Internship) category, individuals can obtain a work visa for a specific employer.
This category is for post-secondary students with a job offer for a work placement or internship in Canada, completing their education through this opportunity.
In the latest IEC round of invitations, 142 invitations were sent under this category.
Click here to learn more about International Co-op (Internship)
Who can participate in International Experience Canada?
You can be a part of International Experience Canada if your home country has an agreement with Canada called the Youth Mobility Agreement (YMA).
Check if your country qualifies for the International Experience Canada Program by clicking here.
In special cases, organizations recognized by IEC (RO) can help a few young people from countries that don’t have an agreement with Canada to join IEC.
Find out more about working and traveling in Canada with a recognized organization (RO).
Some countries let you participate only once, while others allow you to join twice, but in different categories.
Since every country has its own rules, make sure to check if you meet the requirements before applying.
IEC 2024 Fees:
For the IEC 2024 season, the fee is $172 CAD. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply for a Canadian work permit every week.
The application cost depends on the chosen program. For the Working Holiday program, the fee is $100 CAD. Young Professionals and International Co-op candidates have no additional fees, but employers need to pay a $230 CAD compliance fee. If biometrics are required, there’s an extra $85 CAD fee.
Refunds are possible in certain situations, such as withdrawal before receiving the Port of Entry (POE) letter or if the work permit application is refused.
