The immigration department of Canada, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada, or IRCC opens the 2024 IEC pool.  

The 2024 International Experience Canada (IEC) pool is a work permit program permitting youth who are nationals of countries having bilateral Youth Mobility Arrangements with Canada. This permit allows them to live and work temporarily in Canada. 

The immigration intake for this year will give nearly 90,000 individuals from more than 30 countries the chance to earn work experience. As IRCC Opens the 2024 IEC Pool, all the individuals who are eligible and interested may now submit an IEC profile to IRCC.

IRCC Opens 2024 IEC Pool: Understanding the Function of IEC

IEC operates on a candidate/applicant system, similar to programs under the Express Entry System of Canada.

Individuals may qualify for an IEC work permit if they are nationals of partner countries with bilateral Youth Mobility Agreements with Canada and are between the eligible age range, i.e., 18-29, 18-30, or 18-35 (all inclusive), depending on the applicant’s nationality.

Individuals who satisfy the basic eligibility requirements for IEC may submit a candidacy profile to IRCC. They are candidates at this stage. 

If IRCC approves a candidate’s profile, they receive an invitation to apply for a review for a work permit.

After applying, Candidates are applicants. This step brings them a step closer to getting a work permit.

The International Experience Canada (IEC) program offers work permits to applicants for any of three streams. The three streams are as follows:

  • Working Holiday stream: This stream gives applicants an Open Work Permit (OWP) for a maximum of two years. This permit allows holders to work for a majority of employers in most industries in Canada.
  • Young Professionals stream: This stream gives an employer-specific or LMIA-based work permit to applicants with a job offer and who intend to work for only one employer in Canada. 
  •  International Co-op Internship stream: This stream permits citizens of partner countries who are registered in a post-secondary program in their Country of origin to enter Canada and work or intern for a particular Canadian firm. To be eligible for this stream, applicants must have already secured co-op placements before applying.

What are the basic eligibility criteria for IEC?

As IRCC opens the 2024 IEC pool, it’s worth knowing what makes you eligible for the IEC. The following are the requirements an individual must meet to apply for IEC:

  • They must be acceptable to Canada;
  • They must be a citizen or passport holders of one of the partner countries, having youth Mobility Agreements with Canada;
  • Their age must be between the eligible range, i.e.,18-29, 18-30, or 18-35 (all-inclusive), based on their nationality;
  • They must hold a passport that is valid for the period of their stay in Canada;
  • They must not have their dependents with them;
  • They must have submitted the applicable fees;
  • When entering Canada, they must have an amount equivalent to $2,500 CAD; 
  • They must be able to obtain health insurance for the length of their stay in Canada, and
  • Before their departure, they either must have a round-trip ticket or enough financial resources to buy a departure ticket at the end of their legal stay in Canada.

What benefits does the IEC bring to Canada?

IEC assists Canada in managing the labor shortages affecting several industries and sectors in the Country. This includes manufacturing, construction, retail trade, wholesale, and others.

In Canada, immigration is a significant source of workers. This is also true for Canada’s bilateral agreements with over 35 partner countries under the IEC. This agreement benefits various industries by providing young labor from partner countries. In addition, it also offers Canadian and foreign youth the chance to earn international work experience.

 These workers under the IEC further gain the ability to qualify for permanent Canadian immigration after acquiring the required work experience. This, in the long term, possibly contributes to Canada’s labor force.

The IEC intake for this year has remained consistent with last year’s intake growth. This highlights the importance of IEC workers and the contribution they have to the Country’s economy.

IRCC opens the 2024 IEC Pool, allowing individuals to submit their candidacy profiles.

 In 2024, Finland is anticipated to be added to the list of partner countries. Both Canada and Finland are ready to sign their new youth mobility pact soon in the upcoming year.