Canada IEC Working Holiday
Canada CAN
Canada's International Experience Canada (IEC) Working Holiday programme provides young adults aged 18 to 35 with an open work permit valid for 1 or 2 years, allowing them to work for any Canadian employer without a job offer. Eligibility depends on the bilateral agreement between Canada and the applicant's country, and annual quotas apply per nationality. The programme is one of the most popular entry points into Canada and can be a stepping stone to applying for permanent residency through Express Entry after gaining Canadian work experience.
Program Details
- Category
- Skilled Worker
- Processing Time
- 2 months
- Application Fee
- $152
- Minimum Income
- N/A
- Minimum Investment
- N/A
- Family Included
- No
- Path to PR
- No
- Path to Citizenship
- No
- Physical Presence
- Must be physically present in Canada to activate and maintain the open work permit; visa duration is 1–2 years depending on the bilateral agreement with the applicant's country
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
- Tax Impact
- Working holiday holders who establish significant residential ties become Canadian tax residents liable for Canadian income tax on worldwide earnings; those without significant ties pay non-resident withholding tax on Canadian-source income only
Applicants must show proof of sufficient funds for the first stage of travel, typically CAD 2,500
Key Requirements
- ✓Age 18–35 (age limits vary by country agreement)
- ✓Citizen of an eligible country with an IEC bilateral agreement with Canada
- ✓Valid passport from eligible country for the full duration of the stay
- ✓Proof of sufficient settlement funds (approximately CAD 2,500)
- ✓No dependent children
- ✓Valid job offer not required (open work permit)
- ✓Must apply in a pool draw; a Letter of Introduction (LOI) is issued before the work permit
Nationality Restrictions
This program restricts applications from nationals of: Available only to citizens of countries with a bilateral IEC agreement with Canada, including Australia, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, United Kingdom, and approximately 30 others