International Experience Canada to increase program capacity by 20%

IRCC announced some significant changes to the International Experience Canada program today, including an increase in applicant capacity and a program open date for 2023.

applicant

the

program

The IEC program allows youth between the

18 and 35 years living in any of

partnering countries to work and travel for up to

years in this country, and vice versa. On

its application scale will increase by 20%,

15,000 additional spots.

 Canada’s government will be expanding the

pool for

upcoming year of its International Experience Canada (IEC) program. They announced a

opening date of January 9, 2023, at a press conference in Banff, Alberta today. 

ages of

Canada’s 36

two

January 9th, 2023,

or nearly



In the words of Immigration Minister Sean Fraser, “Our government is helping more international youth to work and travel in Canada, effectively helping employers, most of those in the tourism industry, find the workers they need. By giving youth the opportunity of international travel and work experience, we are strengthening our economy and helping our businesses succeed, particularly in places like Banff that need seasonal help.”



Ultimately, this upcoming IEC program change allows Canada to further advance two highly sought-after goals: helping Canadian employers get the workers they need and helping “youth explore new cultures, languages, and societies, all while developing life skills and improving their job prospects for the future.

About the IEC program  The IEC program contains three streams, which are outlined below.  Working Holiday: IEC participants in this stream “receive an open work permit that allows them to work anywhere in the host country” as a means of “supporting their travels.”  International Co-op (Internship): Participants in this IEC stream are provided with an employer-specific work permit. This targeted work permit enables students to gain focused work experience in their field of study.

Young Professionals: Participants in this stream of the IEC program also receive an employer-specific work permit, like those in the international co-op stream. However, beyond allowing these students to “gain targeted, professional work experience that is within their field of study”, the experience acquired by these students is also aimed at aiding their ability to pursue their desired career path.



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