How to Travel and Work in Canada with International Experience Canada (IEC)

If you have always wanted to travel and work in Canada for a while, you should know about the International Experience Canada (IEC) program. A program aimed at nationals of other countries to experience a cultural exchange adventure, while, in turn, providing you with a job opportunity with a guaranteed place for a whole year. 

An excellent way to get to know the country, experience the culture and of course, get to know the Anglo-Saxon and/or French language, depending on the area where you move.

Now, I’m sure you have many questions:

• Who can participate in the International Experience Canada (IEC)?
• How does the application and selection system work?
• What are the necessary requirements?
• How to sign up?

We will answer all these questions below: 

What is the International Experience Canada (IEC) program?

The International Experience Canada (IEC) is an international program promoted by the Government of Canada, open to young people. It allows you to travel, live, work and even study in Canada for a year, in order to promote a unique cultural exchange experience between people from 18 to 35 years of age. 

The visa authorization to travel and participate in work and study experiences after being admitted to this program is popularly known as a Working Holiday Visa , that is, a work and vacation visa.

They also have permits to carry out “Internships” or obtain temporary residences for young professionals. However, the most popular is the Working Holiday. 

Every year, the Canadian Government, thanks to various agreements with Spain, opens the call for around 800 – 1000 places with work and vacation visas aimed at young Spaniards looking for this type of experience. 

If you are eligible, you can submit your application and the final result is decided through a lottery. 

Requirements to access the EIC and do your Working Holiday in Canada

Voucher! You have decided: the International Experience Canada (IEC) is a program in which you would certainly like to participate, but beware! Before registering, it is important to meet the following requirements: 

• Have a valid passport (with a minimum validity of one year).
• Have medical insurance (policy with international coverage).
• Availability to work in Canada for at least 4 months.
• Never having obtained a visa through the EIC program. 
• Have financial means to cover your arrival in Canada. Currently the minimum required is positioned at 2,500 Canadian dollars.
• Do not include dependents on the visa. The procedure is only individual.
• Pay the corresponding fees to cover the application process. 
• Have no criminal record.
• Motivation letter .
• Provide your biometric data (fingerprints, photo…). 
• Curriculum Vitae in English and under Canadian standards.
• Intermediate English proficiency preferred (certification not required).

Note : While the COVID-19 pandemic situation persists, applications must apply along with a valid job offer issued by an employer in Canada. 

Benefits of participating in the International Experience Canada (IEC)

Participating in this program and living a Working Holiday adventure in Canada is an experience that offers enormous advantages for your personal and professional growth. 

>>>> Canada Federal Business Visas

Here are some benefits that motivate young people to participate in the IEC program to live and work in Canada:

• Permit and guaranteed job waiting for you on your arrival, with fair wages.
• Support and direct attention throughout your stay.
• Possibility of learning or perfecting your skills in English and French, two official languages ​​in Canada with great relevance in the global panorama. 
• International work experience highly valued by companies in Spain and the world. 
• Cultural exchange experience: you will meet new places and people in a fascinating environment. 
• Freedom of choice about the places where you can develop. 

How do International Experience Canada (IEC) applications work?

Do you want to jump into the pool?

Well, right now we will show you how joining the list of International Experience Canada (IEC) participants who want to obtain one of the work places and vacations in Canada works. Take note!

• Access the Government of Canada portal , specifically the information area on International Experience Canada (IEC).   
• If the application period has already been opened and you meet the initial requirements, then you can join the pool, that is, the data pool. To do this, you will need to create an applicant profile with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) by clicking here .
• The Canadian government randomly sends the so-called ITA’s (invitations that allow them to apply for a Working Holiday visa or other authorizations to live and work or study in Canada) to registered participants in the IRCC Pool . The invitation could arrive at any time during the “IEC Season”, so you should be aware of the weekly application status to prevent it from expiring. 
• If you receive an ITA , you must accept the invitation and you will have a time limit to attach all the necessary documentation to continue the process and send the biometric tests.

In times of COVID-19, since you will need a job offer from an employer established in Canada, the employer must upload the offer and pay the corresponding fees.

And ready! The system will indicate the next steps and what the procedure would be to continue. 

Frequently asked questions about the International Experience Canada (IEC) 

Some very common doubts among those who want to sign up for this program and live a Canadian Working Holiday experience are: 

When do applications open to participate in a Working Holiday in Canada?

As we have previously mentioned, the election of the participants is given by means of a draw and the “pool” or pool to enter your registration is opened annually.

>>>> Tourist Visa for Canada: What it is, Types, Requirements & How to Apply

You can find out when the databases are open by visiting the International Experience Canada section of the Government of Canada website , specifically to provide immigration information.

In the case of 2021, the applications can already be sent by the candidates, so hurry up. 

How long is the Working Holiday in Canada?

If admitted, the permit would grant the opportunity to work in Canada for a period of 12 months and without any type of limitation. 

How long will it take to process the application? 

Although in times of COVID-19, the processing times of each application are subject to unexpected changes, in general, the entire process would take approximately 57 weeks if accepted. The first stages will have a processing time of 8 weeks.  

You can learn more about IEC application processing times by clicking here .

50 Professions that will take you to live and work in Canada

Do you want to live and work in Canada? Do you dream of having a job and living in this North American destination? Now you can achieve it, for this, you must know what are the 50 professions that can lead you to live and work in Canada this year .

It is a destination with enormous natural attractions, some of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world as well as one of the places with the best quality of life and highest salaries in the world.

Canada is one of the most requested destinations to live and work abroad, and now, a unique opportunity is presented for all those who dream of working in this world destination.

The Embassy of Canada has a program called “Express Entry” that has the objective of helping all those qualified people who wish to live and work in Canada permanently.

The good thing about this program is that you don’t have to be in Canada to apply. If you meet the requirements and are within one of the 50 requested professions , you will be able to start the application process from your destination country.

How to apply to live and work in Canada with Express Entry

The request is made from the website of the Embassy of Canada .

You just have to create a profile, fill in all the information requested on the website, from personal data to level of education, professional experience, language skills, etc.

In addition, you will need to specify why you would like to live and work in Canada.

Once you fill in all the data, you will become part of a selection process where they will analyze all the data, and if you pass it, you will be one of the lucky ones to live in Canada with a permanent residence permit.

Everything will depend on whether your profession is highly requested, and of course, if you meet all the documentation requirements.

>>>> How to Get Any Type of Visa for Canada in 2022

What are the 50 Professions that will take you to live and work in Canada

One of the fundamental requirements of the “Express Entry” to live and work in Canada will be that you have one of the 50 professions shown on the list.

These are professions in high demand in Canada in which there is a lack of employees. Hence, this residency program in Canada has been created .

• University professors and professors.
• Psychologists.
• Early childhood educators and assistants.
• Translators and interpreters.
• Financial, communications and other business services managers.
• Commercial and broadcast managers.
• Financial directors.
• Human resource directors .
• Purchasing managers.
• Insurance, real estate and financial brokerage managers.
• Health service managers.
• Construction managers.
• House construction and renovation managers.
• Production managers in natural resources and fishing.
• Manufacturing managers.
• Auditors and financial accountants.
• Financial and investment analysts.
• Securities brokers, investment securities agencies.
• Other financial agents.

• Supervisors, finance and insurance workers.
• Property managers.
• geoscientists and oceanographers.
• Civil Engineers.
• mechanical engineers.
• Electrical engineers and electricians.
• Petroleum Engineers.
• Analysts and consultants in information systems.
• Database analysts and data administrators.
• Software engineers and designers.
• Computer programmers and interactive media developers.
• Technologists and technicians in mechanical engineering.
• Construction estimators.
• Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians.
• Public health and environmental and occupational health and safety inspectors.
• Computer network technicians.
• Nursing coordinators and supervisors.
• Technicians and mechanics of industrial instruments.
• Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses.
• Specialist doctors.
• General practitioners and family doctors.
• Dieticians and nutritionists.
• Audiologists and speech-language pathologists.
• Occupational Therapists .
• Respiratory therapists and cardiopulmonary technicians.
• Medical radiation technologists.
• Medical sonographers.
• Nursing assistants.
• paramedical occupations.

This is a unique opportunity for those who wish to live and work in Canada.

If your dream is to live in this destination in the world, do not miss it.

Canada awaits you.

Related posts:

How to apply for a Canadian Tourist / Visitor Visa What Happens if You Overstay Your Visa in Canada? Common Reasons for Canadian Visa Refusal Canada Visa Spousal Sponsorship Application